Weighted Sensor Layer for Precise Pen Input Without Added Digitizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia electronic devices lack efficient methods for sensing inputs from pens, particularly for fine touch inputs required in applications like sketching or drawing, without increasing thickness or weight due to the inclusion of digitizers.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a sensor layer and driver that includes specific electrode arrangements and signal weighting mechanisms to sense pen inputs, utilizing magnetic fields for charging and sensing, allowing for precise input detection without the need for additional digitizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a digitizer is included to enable pen input sensing, then pen sensing capability is improved, but device thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pen sensing function with the existing sensor layer that is already present for touch input detection. The sensor layer includes sensing electrodes and driving electrodes that can detect both touch inputs and pen inputs through capacitance changes, eliminating the need for a separate digitizer layer and thus avoiding additional weight while maintaining pen sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both finger touch inputs and pen inputs using the same sensing electrodes and driving electrodes. The controller distinguishes between touch and pen inputs by analyzing the characteristics of the detected signals, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes without requiring additional specialized hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If a digitizer is included to enable pen input sensing, then pen sensing capability is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pen sensing functionality into the existing sensor layer structure, which is already integrated into the display assembly. The sensing electrodes and driving electrodes are formed within the same layers as the touch sensing components, eliminating the need for an additional digitizer layer and thus preventing thickness increase while enabling pen input detection
3Measurement precision
If signal weighting is applied to differentiate pen input from touch input, then input detection precision is improved, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different weighting values to signals from different sensing electrodes based on their local characteristics and positions. The controller identifies which sensing electrode detected the input and applies the appropriate weighting value from a set of predetermined weights, allowing precise differentiation between pen and touch inputs while using a relatively simple lookup-based processing approach rather than complex real-time calculations
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
Enables accurate and intuitive pen input sensing without increasing device thickness or weight, enhancing user interaction for applications like sketching or drawing.
Implementation Method 1
in a driving mode to generate a magnetic field for charging a pen, the sensor driver is configured to apply a first signal to the third line and a second signal, different from the first signal, to the fourth line
Implementation Method 2
in a sensing mode to sense an input of the pen, the sensor driver is configured to apply a first weighting value to a first sensing signal received from the first line and a second weighting value, different from the first weighting value, to a second sensing signal received from the second line
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device including a sensor layer and a sensor driver. The sensor layer includes a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a plurality of lines. The plurality of lines includes a first line electrically connected to one of the plurality of second sensing electrodes and in a first peripheral region, a second line electrically connected to another one of the plurality of second sensing electrodes and in a second peripheral region, wherein, in a sensing mode to sense an input of the pen, the sensor driver is configured to apply a first weighting value to a first sensing signal received from the first line and a second weighting value, different from the first weighting value, to a second sensing signal received from the second line.