throbber
US 20100045632A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0045632 A1
`Yilmaz et al.
`(43) Pub. Date: Feb. 25, 2010
`
`
`(54) CAPACITIVE POSITION SENSOR
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Esat Yilmaz, Southhampton (GB);
`Peter Sleeman; Atmel (GB);
`Samuel Brunet, Cowes (GB);
`Matthew Trend, Atmel (GB);
`Harald Philipp, Hamble (GB)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER /
`ATMEL
`PO. BOX 2938
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`ATMEL CORPORATION, San
`Jose, CA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/421,713
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 10, 2009
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/044,038; filed on Apr.
`10, 2008.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 3/044
`(2006.01)
`G06F 3/045
`(52) U.S.Cl. ...................................... 345/174;178/18.06
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A capacitive position sensor has a two-layer electrode struc-
`ture. Drive electrodes extending in a first direction on a first
`plane on one side of a substrate. Sense electrodes extend in a
`second direction on a second plane on the other side of the
`substrate so that the sense electrodes cross the drive elec-
`trodes at a plurality of intersections which collectively form a
`position sensing array. The sense electrodes are provided with
`branches extending in the first direction part of the way
`towards each adjacent sense electrode so that end portions of
`the branches ofadj acent sense electrodes co-extend with each
`other in the first direction separated by a distance sufficiently
`small that capacitive coupling to the drive electrode adjacent
`to the co-extending portion is reduced. Providing sense elec-
`trode branches allow a sensor to be made which has a greater
`extent in the first direction for a given number of sense chan-
`nels, since the co-extending portions provide an interpolating
`effect. The number of sense electrode branches per drive
`electrode can be increased which allows a sensor to be made
`which has ever greater extent in the first direction without
`having to increase the number of sense channels.
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 1
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 1 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 2
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 2 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`Figum 3E
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 3
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 3 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 4
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 4 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`qufifi. 3
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 5
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 5 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 6
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 6 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 7
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 7 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`Fiwfig é:
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 8
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 8 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`Fad-ME '? é
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 9
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 9 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`'7B
`
`Figure
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 10
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 10 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 11
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 11 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`’
`
`'
`
`g
`3
`
`a
`i
`
`E
`
`I
`
`K K
`
`"L
`
`:
`
`79mg
`
`_ PMMéLL
`mmvwxg
`WT ma
`
`Tau-6%
`
`9W3
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 12
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 12 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`Féévvfléf
`
`“3
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 13
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 13 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhi
`
`it 1009, Page 14
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 14 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`H.Emma.
`
`3%
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhi
`
`it 1009, Page 15
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 15 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 16
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 16 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`2.3g 4% 4.3
`
`,a
`
` /
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 17
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 17 of 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhi
`
`it 1009, Page 18
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 18 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`1
`
`1566
`1 66,06{3‘ 6666 ;
`\66 6666s3 edgeq66s;
`
`£562" 3
`’
`‘
`.
`
`
`
`431264
`,
`;
`,
`454,6
`
`3 Q14
`1:1:VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
`VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 7/
`S:
`
`
`inn:«an
`
`
`3 edges 4 6662564
`
`vi
`
`Figm‘fi‘ 2.5!
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 19
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 19 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 20
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 20 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 21
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 21 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 22
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 22 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`if 2
`
`(2kg .
`M,
`
`2,;
`
`f
`
`.
`
`5;“
`W
`in if) 3‘f 3-0“?
`
`En
`f3:
`
`v“ if
`
`E
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 23
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 23
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 25, 2010 Sheet 23 0f 23
`
`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 24
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 24
`
`

`

`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`Feb. 25, 2010
`
`CAPACITIVE POSITION SENSOR
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The invention relates to capacitive position sensors.
`More particularly the invention relates to 2-dimensional
`capacitive position sensors of the type based on capacitive
`proximity sensing techniques. Such sensors may be referred
`to as 2-dimensional capacitive transducing (2DCT) sensors.
`2DCT sensors are based on detecting a disturbance in a
`capacitive coupling of sensor electrodes caused by the prox-
`imity of a pointing object. A measured location for the dis-
`turbance corresponds to a measured position for the pointing
`object.
`[0002] US. Pat. No. 6,452,514, US. Pat. No. 7,148,704
`and US. Pat. No. 5,730,165 disclose prior art capacitive
`touch sensors.
`
`2DCT sensors are typically actuated by a human
`[0003]
`finger, or a stylus. Example devices include touch screen and
`touch sensitive keyboards/keypads, e.g. as used for control-
`ling consumer electronic devices/domestic appliances, and
`possibly in conjunction with an underlying display, such as a
`liquid crystal display (LCD), or cathode ray tube (CRT).
`Other devices which may incorporate 2DCT sensors include
`pen-input tablets and encoders used in machinery for feed-
`back control purposes,
`for example. 2DCT sensors are
`capable of reporting at least a 2-dimensional coordinate, Car-
`tesian or otherwise, related to the location of an object or
`human body part, by means of a capacitance sensing mecha-
`nism.
`
`[0004] Devices employing 2DCT sensors have become
`increasingly popular and common, not only in conjunction
`with personal computers, but also in all manner of other
`appliances such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), point of
`sale (POS) terminals, electronic information and ticketing
`kiosks, kitchen appliances and the like. 2DCT sensors are
`frequently preferred to mechanical switches for a number of
`reasons. For example, 2DCT sensors require no moving parts
`and so are less prone to wear than their mechanical counter-
`parts. 2DCT sensors can also be made in relatively small sizes
`so that correspondingly small, and tightly packed keypad
`arrays can be provided. Furthermore, 2DCT sensors can be
`provided beneath an environmentally sealed outer surface/
`cover panel. This makes their use in wet environments, or
`where there is a danger of dirt or fluids entering a device being
`controlled attractive. Furthermore still, manufacturers often
`prefer to employ interfaces based on 2DCT sensors in their
`products because such interfaces are often considered by
`consumers to be more aesthetically pleasing than conven-
`tional mechanical input mechanisms (e.g. push-buttons).
`[0005] WO 2009/027629, published on 5 Mar. 2009,
`describes a capacitive touch sensor comprising a dielectric
`panel overlying a drive electrode with two sense electrodes.
`One of the sense electrodes is positioned to be shielded from
`the drive electrode by the first sense electrode, so that the first
`sense electrode receives the majority of the charge coupled
`from the drive electrode and the second sense electrode pri-
`marily registers noise. A sensing circuit including two detec-
`tor channels is connected to the first (coupled) and second
`(noise) sense electrodes to receive signal samples respec-
`tively. The sensing circuit is operable to output a final signal
`obtained by subtracting the second signal sample from the
`first signal sample to cancel noise.
`[0006] However, the methods described above increase the
`size and thickness, and may decrease the resolution of a
`
`device incorporating a display screen with a 2DCT sensor
`when it is more fashionable and desirable to produce smaller
`devices. Furthermore, additional steps are required during
`manufacture and as a result there is an increased cost due to
`
`further components being needed.
`[0007] European patent EP 1821175 describes an altema-
`tive solution to reduce the noise collected on a 2DCT touch
`
`sensor. EP 1821175 discloses a display device with a touch
`sensor which is arranged so that the two dimensional touch
`sensor is overlaid upon a display device to form a touch
`sensitive display screen. The display device uses an LCD
`arrangement with vertical and horizontal switching of the
`LCD pixels. The touch sensing circuit includes a current
`detection circuit, a noise elimination circuit as well as a
`sampling circuit for each of a plurality of sensors, which are
`arranged to form the two-dimensional sensor array. The cur-
`rent detection circuit receives a strobe signal, which is gen-
`erated from the horizontal and vertical switching signals of
`the LCD screen. The strobe signal is used to trigger a blanking
`of the current detection circuit during a period in which the
`horizontal switching voltage signal may affect the measure-
`ments performed by the detection circuit.
`[0008] WO 2009/016382, published on 5 Feb. 2009,
`describes a sensor used to form a two dimensional touch
`
`sensor, which can be overlaid on a liquid crystal display
`(LCD) screen. As such, the effects of switching noise on the
`detection of an object caused by a common voltage signal of
`the LCD screen can be reduced. The sensor comprises a
`capacitance measurement circuit operable to measure the
`capacitance of the sensing element and a controller circuit to
`control charging cycles of the capacitance measurement cir-
`cuit. The controller circuit is configured to produce charging
`cycles at a predetermined time and in a synchronous manner
`with a noise signal. For example, the charge-transfer cycles or
`‘bursts’ may be performed during certain stages of the noise
`output signal from the display screen, i.e. at stages where
`noise does not significantly affect the capacitance measure-
`ments performed. Thus, the sensor can be arranged to effec-
`tively pick up the noise output from a display screen and
`automatically synchronize the charge-transfer bursts to occur
`during stages of the noise output cycle.
`[0009]
`FIG. 21 of the accompanying drawings illustrates
`schematically a representative portion of the prior art elec-
`trode pattern of US. Pat. No. 6,452,514 or its equivalent WO
`00/44018, published on 27 Jul. 2000. A plurality of drive
`electrodes X1, X2, X3 and X4 extending rowwise are
`arranged with a plurality of sense electrodes Y1, Y2, Y3 and
`Y4 extending columnwise,
`the intersections or crossings
`between X and Y electrodes forming a matrix or grid of
`sensing points or areas 220. It will be understood the X andY
`electrodes do not literally intersect, but are offset in the ver-
`tical or Z direction, orthogonal to the plane of the drawing,
`being separated by a dielectric layeritypically a substrate
`panel which bears the X electrodes on one side and the Y
`electrodes on the other side. Each crossed electrode area 220
`
`acts as a key so that the presence of a body such as a user’s
`finger is detected as a result of a change in an amount of
`charge which is transferred between the two electrodes at the
`key location. With this arrangement, each of the electrodes
`X1, X2, X3 and X4 are driven with a drive circuit 118 via
`connections 105 and the other electrodes Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4
`are connected to a charge measurement circuit 118 via sense
`channels 116 which detects an amount of charge present at
`each of the sensing areas 220. It will be appreciated that for
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 25
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 25
`
`

`

`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`Feb. 25, 2010
`
`simplicity all of the control circuitry has been included in a
`single circuit 118. Such two dimensional capacitive transduc-
`ing (2DCT) sensors are typically used with devices which
`include touch sensitive screens or touch sensitive keyboards/
`keypads which are used in for example in consumer elec-
`tronic devices and domestic appliances. The 2DCT is of the
`so-called “active” or “mutual” type, in which proximity of an
`object is sensed by the changes induced in coupling between
`a drive electrode and one or more adjacent sense electrodes.
`[0010]
`In the above 2DCT sensor, interpolation is used to
`determine the location of an object or finger adjacent the
`sensor. This is done by using the signals from the sense area
`being touched and the neighboring sense areas in a linear
`interpolation algorithm. However, for an interpolation to be
`accurate the electric field between adjacent drive electrodes
`should be linear or at least known. Ifthe electrodes are placed
`close together it can be assumed that the electric filed between
`two electrodes is linear. That is to say that as you move away
`from an electrode, the field reduces in a linear fashion.
`[0011] As the size of devices that use 2DCT sensors is
`increased, larger area 2DCT sensors are required. To increase
`the area of the 2DCT sensor while keeping the same resolu-
`tion and accuracy (i.e. avoid using a non-linear interpolation
`method) the number of drive and sense electrodes could be
`increased. However, this means that the number of connec-
`tions required from the control circuits is increased which in
`turn results in more expensive control circuits and increased
`acquisition times, since the acquisition of signals from each
`of the sensing areas typically needs to be carried out at least
`partially in series, since not all sensing areas can be polled
`simultaneously owing to restrictions on the number of drive
`and sense lines, and controller channels, i.e. chip pins.
`[0012]
`FIG. 22 of the accompanying drawings illustrates
`schematically a representative portion of the prior art elec-
`trode pattern US 2008/0246496, published on 9 Oct. 2008.
`The figure illustrates a pattern of electrodes comprising lon-
`gitudinal (bar) drive electrodes 152. The drive electrodes 152
`are coupled via drive channels 158 and 160 to a controller (not
`shown in the figure). Each drive channel supplies drive sig-
`nals to the group of four drive electrodes 152. The drive
`electrodes 152 are each connected to one another by a chain or
`row of resistors 170 having the same value. Alternatively, a
`single resistive strip could be used (not shown in figure).
`When operated the grouped drive electrodes will receive a
`different value drive signal. For example, when drive channel
`160 is connected to a drive signal and drive channel 158 is
`connected to ground, the electrode connected directly to drive
`channel 160 will receive the applied signal value, the drive
`electrode below will receive two thirds of the applied signal
`value and the drive electrode below that will receive a third of
`
`the applied signal value. In the example described above, the
`fourth electrode connected directly to the drive channel 158 in
`the figure will be connected to ground. However, the above
`method can be repeated with drive channel 158 being con-
`nected to a drive signal and drive channel 160 being con-
`nected to ground. This effectively, allows four drive elec-
`trodes to be driven using only two drive channels. The
`arrangement shown in the figure can be repeated, and
`expanded to include more intermediate drive electrodes with
`respective resistors. However, the method described above is
`only suitable for the drive electrodes and is not transferable to
`the sense electrodes. The sense electrodes shown in the figure
`are interleaved with adjacent drive electrodes on a single
`
`surface. However, it will be appreciated that the drive elec-
`trodes shown in the figure could also be used for two-layer or
`dual layer designs.
`[0013]
`It would therefore be desirable to provide an elec-
`trode pattern for a mutual capacitive or active type 2DCT
`sensor that can be used to allow the size of the overall sensi-
`
`tive area to be increased without needing to introduce more
`sense channels.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
`provided a capacitive position sensor comprising: a plurality
`of drive electrodes extending in a first direction on a first
`plane; a plurality of sense electrodes extending in a second
`direction on a second plane offset from the first plane so that
`the sense electrodes cross the drive electrodes at a plurality of
`intersections which collectively form a position sensing
`array; wherein the sense electrodes have branches extending
`in the first direction part of the way towards each adjacent
`sense electrode so that end portions of the branches of adja-
`cent sense electrodes co-extend with each other in the first
`
`that
`direction separated by a distance sufficiently small
`capacitive coupling to the drive electrode adjacent to the
`co-extending portion is reduced.
`[0015]
`In one embodiment, for each drive electrode there is
`one set of sense electrode branches providing co-extending
`portions that occupy a region in between adjacent sense elec-
`trodes in the first direction. Providing sense electrode
`branches allow a sensor to be made which has a greater extent
`in the first direction for a given number of sense channels.
`[0016]
`In other embodiments, for each drive electrode there
`are multiple sets of sense electrode branches that are offset
`from each other in the second direction, the multiple sets
`providing respective co-extending portions extending over
`different respective regions in the first direction. Increasing
`the number of sense electrode branches per drive electrode
`allows a sensor to be made which has ever greater extent in the
`first direction without having to increase the number of sense
`channels.
`
`[0017] The sense electrodes are separated from each other
`in the first direction by a distance P591459 and the drive elec-
`trodes are separated from each other in the second direction
`by a distance Pdfive, wherein: Pseme/Pdrive:2 mil, where ‘m’
`is the number of sets of sense electrode branches per drive
`electrode. The drive electrode pitch Pdrive is preferably of
`comparable dimension, or smaller, to the touch size of the
`touching object for which the sensor is designed. The touch-
`ing object for which the sensor is designed may be a finger,
`e.g. of touch size 8-10 mm diameter. A stylus could also be
`used.
`
`In plan view each drive electrode covers an area that
`[0018]
`fully encloses its associated sense electrode branches. In
`other words the ‘footprint’ of the sense electrodes lie within
`their associate drive electrode, or the periphery of the drive
`electrode lies outwardly beyond the sense electrodes associ-
`ated therewith in at least the second direction and preferably
`also the first direction.
`
`electrodes preferably substantially
`[0019] The drive
`entirely cover the first plane with individual ones of the drive
`electrodes being separated from neighboring drive electrodes
`by small gaps, wherein the gaps are preferably dimensioned
`to be sufficiently small to be invisible or almost invisible. The
`gaps are preferably less than around 100 micrometers, for
`example with ITO drive electrodes. Gap values of less than
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 26
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 26
`
`

`

`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`Feb. 25, 2010
`
`90, 80, 70, 60 or 50 micrometers may also be preferred. With
`some electrode materials, such as PET, it may be difficult to
`fabricate such small gaps, so in some instances the gaps are
`preferably less than around 250, 200 or 150 micrometers
`[0020] The drive and sense electrodes may be the only
`electrode layers provided, a two-layer electrode construction
`leading to improved optical
`transmission for transparent
`embodiments such as used for touch-sensitive displays, thin-
`ner overall construction, and lower cost.
`[0021] An important combination is the above-defined
`capacitive touch sensor with a display module. The display
`module, for example an LCD or OLED display panel, will
`typically by arranged below the first layer and distal the touch
`surface so that from top to bottom, or outside to inside the
`device, the components will begdielectric layer the upper
`surface of which will be the touch surfaceilayer 27sub-
`strateilayer lidisplay panel, with the display panel being
`inside the device housing or outer shell. In a display applica-
`tion, the electrodes will likely be made of ITO.
`[0022]
`In some embodiments, each drive and/or sense elec-
`trode is made of a continuous sheet of electrically conductive
`material, such as ITO or a metal. In other embodiments, each
`drive and/or sense electrode is made of a mesh or filigree
`pattern of interconnected lines of highly conductive material
`which collectively define each electrode. Still
`further
`embodiments use continuous sheets for one of the electrode
`
`types and meshes for the other electrode type. In the mesh
`approach, the interconnected lines preferably have a suffi-
`ciently small width so as to be invisible or almost invisible.
`They can then be made of material that is not inherently
`invisible, e.g. a metal such as copper, but still remain practi-
`cally invisible.
`[0023] The invention can be implemented to form a Carte-
`sian ‘xy’ grid oftouch sensor locations. In particular, the drive
`electrodes can extend in a first linear direction and the sense
`electrodes in a second linear direction transverse to the first
`
`linear direction so that the plurality of intersections form a
`grid pattern, for example a square, diamond or rectangular
`grid. The invention can also be implemented to form a polar
`‘rG’ grid, wherein the drive electrodes extend arcuately and
`the sense electrodes extend radially so that the plurality of
`intersections lie on one or more arcuate paths.
`[0024] A further aspect of the invention relates to a touch
`sensitive panel for a capacitive touch sensor, the touch sensi-
`tive panel having a plurality of drive electrodes arranged on
`one side of a substrate in a first layer and a plurality of sense
`electrodes arranged on the other side of the substrate in a
`second layer so that the sense electrodes cross the drive elec-
`trodes at a plurality of intersections offset from each other by
`the thickness of the substrate, wherein the drive electrodes
`substantially entirely cover the first layer with individual ones
`of the drive electrodes being separated from neighboring
`drive electrodes by small gaps.
`[0025] According to a second aspect of the invention there
`is provided a touch sensitive panel for a capacitive touch
`sensor, the touch sensitive panel having a plurality of drive
`electrodes arranged on one side of a substrate in a first layer
`and a plurality of sense electrodes arranged on the other side
`of the substrate in a second layer so that the sense electrodes
`cross the drive electrodes at a plurality of intersections offset
`from each other by the thickness ofthe substrate, wherein the
`sense electrodes have branches extending in the first direction
`part of the way towards each adjacent sense electrode so that
`end portions of the branches of adjacent sense electrodes
`
`co-extend with each other in the first direction separated by a
`distance sufficiently small that capacitive coupling to the
`drive electrode adjacent
`to the co-extending portion is
`reduced.
`
`[0026] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method of sensing position of an actuation on a
`two-dimensional position sensor according to the first aspect
`of the invention, the method comprising:
`applying drive signals to each of the plurality of drive elec-
`trodes;
`measuring sense signals received from each ofthe plurality of
`sense electrodes representing a degree of capacitive coupling
`of the drive signals between the drive electrodes and each
`group of the sense electrodes;
`determining the position in the first direction by an interpo-
`lation between sense signals obtained from each of the plu-
`rality of sense electrodes; and
`determining the position in the second direction by an inter-
`polation between sense signals obtained by sequentially driv-
`ing each of the plurality of drive electrodes with respective
`drive signals.
`[0027] According to an alternative formulation of the
`invention, there is provided a capacitive sensor having an
`electrode pattern comprising a plurality of sense electrodes
`generally extending in a y direction across a sensing area and
`spaced apart in an x direction; wherein the extent in the y
`direction of each of the sense electrodes is herein referred to
`
`a spine; wherein each of the sense electrodes further com-
`prises a plurality of extents spaced apart in the y direction
`herein referred to as first-branches that extend from the spine
`in the x direction and a —x direction opposing the x direction,
`whose extent from the spine in the second and —x direction is
`not more than the spacing between adjacent spines; and
`wherein the first-branches of each of the sense electrodes
`
`coextend over the same portion of the sensitive area as the
`first-branches of adjacent spines.
`[0028] The electrode pattern may further comprise a plu-
`rality of drive electrodes extending in the x direction and
`interleaved in the y direction; wherein each of the drive elec-
`trodes extends in the first and x direction over the same
`
`portion of the sensing area as the first-branches of each ofthe
`sense electrodes.
`
`[0029] The drive and sense electrodes may be disposed on
`opposing surfaces of a substrate.
`[0030] The drive and sense electrodes may be disposed on
`a surface of different substrates.
`
`[0031] The electrode pattern may further comprise a plu-
`rality of second-, third- or fourth-branches interleaved with
`the first-branches, wherein the coextension of branches from
`adjacent spines is offset from each other.
`[0032] According to another aspect ofthe present invention
`there is provided a two-dimensional sensor comprising the
`electrode pattern, wherein the sensor may further comprise a
`controller comprising a drive unit for applying drive signals to
`the drive electrodes, and a sense unit for measuring sense
`signals received from each of the respective sense electrodes
`representing a degree of capacitive coupling of the drive
`signals between the drive electrodes and each of the sense
`electrodes.
`
`[0033] The controller may further comprise a processing
`unit for calculating a position of an interaction with the sen-
`sitive area from an analysis of the sense signals obtained by
`applying drive signals to the drive electrodes.
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`Exhibit 1009, Page 27
`
`PETITIONERS
`Exhibit 1009, Page 27
`
`

`

`US 2010/0045632 A1
`
`Feb. 25, 2010
`
`[0034] The processing unit may be operable to determine
`position in the x direction by an interpolation between sense
`signals obtained from each of the plurality of sense elec-
`trodes.
`
`[0035] The processing unit may be operable to determine
`position in the y direction by an interpolation between sense
`signals obtained by sequentially driving each of the plurality
`of drive electrodes with respective drive signals.
`[0036] According to another aspect ofthe present invention
`there is provided a method of sensing position of an actuation
`on a two-dimensional position sensor comprising: an elec-
`trode pattern comprising a plurality of sense electrodes gen-
`erally extending in a y direction across a sensing area and
`spaced apart in an x direction, wherein the extent in the y
`direction of each of the sense electrodes is herein referred to
`
`a spine, wherein each of the sense electrodes further com-
`prises a plurality of extents spaced apart in the y direction
`herein referred to as first-branches that extend from the spine
`in the x direction and a —x direction opposing the x direction,
`whose extent from the spine in the second and —x direction is
`not more than the spacing between adjacent spines, and
`wherein the first-branches of each of the sense electrodes
`
`coextend over the same portion of the sensitive area as the
`first-branches of adjacent spines; a plurality of drive elec-
`trodes extending in the x direction and interleaved in the y
`direction; wherein each of the drive electrodes extends in the
`first and x direction over the same portion of the sensing area
`as the first-branches of each of the sense electrodes; the
`method comprising: applying drive signals to each of the
`plurality of drive electrodes; measuring sense signals
`received from each of the plurality of sense electrodes repre-
`senting a degree of capacitive coupling of the drive signals
`between the drive electrodes and each group of the sense
`electrodes; determining the position in the x direction by an
`interpolation between sense signals obtained from each ofthe
`plurality of sense electrodes; and determining the position in
`the y direction by an interpolation between sense signals
`obtained by sequentially driving each of the plurality of drive
`electrodes with respective drive signals.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a better understanding of the invention and to
`[0037]
`show how the same may be carried into effect reference is
`now made by way of example to the accompanying drawings.
`[0038]
`FIG. 1A shows a side view ofa two-electrode layer
`capacitive touch screen according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`[0039]
`FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a two-elec-
`trode layer capacitive touch screen according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`[0040]
`FIG. 1C shows a side view ofa two-electrode layer
`capacitive touch screen according to another embodiment of
`the present invention;
`[0041]
`FIG. 1D shows a side view ofa two-electrode layer
`capacitive touch screen according to another embodiment of
`the present invention;
`[0042]
`FIG. 1E shows a side view of a two-electrode layer
`capacitive touch screen according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`[0043]
`FIG. 2A shows an electrode pattern of drive elec-
`trodes with resistive elements according to an embodiment of
`the invention;
`
`FIG. 2B shows a portion of the electrode pattern
`[0044]
`shown in FIG. 2A with a meander pattern of electrode mate-
`rial;
`FIG. 2C shows a portion of the electrode pattern
`[0045]
`shown in FIG. 2A with screen printed resistors;
`[0046]
`FIG. 2D shows a portion of the electrode pattern
`shown in FIG. 2A with discrete resistors;
`[0047]
`FIG. 3 shows a portion of the electrode pattern
`shown in FIG. 2B.
`
`FIG. 4 shows a portion of the electrode pattern of
`[0048]
`drive electrodes according to an embodiment ofthe invention;
`[0049]
`FIG. 5A shows a portion of the electrode pattern
`shown in FIG. 2A;
`[0050]
`FIG. 5B shows a typical finger tip;
`[0051]
`FIG. 6 shows an electrode pattern ofdrive electrodes
`according to an embodiment of the invention;
`[0052]
`FIG. 7A shows an electrode pattern of sense elec-
`trodes according to an embodiment of the invention;
`[0053]
`FIG. 7B shows a two-electrode layer capacitive
`touch screen according to an embodiment of the present
`invention with drive and sense units connected via channels to
`a controller;
`[0054]
`FIG. 8A sho

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket