Touch sensor with improved electrode pattern
First Claim
1. A touch sensor, comprising:
- a substrate having a resistive surface bounded by a plurality of peripheral edges, said resistive surface having a touch region interior to said edges;
a series resistor chain proximate a peripheral edge for creating electric fields across said touch region, said resistor chain comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes arranged in series with resistive regions of said surface to form overlap resistors therebetween, each electrode having an inner portion facing said touch region, said inner portions of adjacent electrodes being separated by junctions;
a linear array of insulating regions in said resistive surface between said touch region and said resistor chain, said insulating regions being separated by gaps, at least one of said gaps formed between said touch region and at least one junction; and
an electrically conductive island located within said at least one junction gap.
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Abstract
A touch sensor includes a substrate with a touch region, and a series resistor chain for creating electrical fields across the touch region. The resistor chain comprises a plurality of conductive electrodes that to form overlap resistors therebetween. The electrodes have inner portions that are separated by junctions. The touch sensor also includes insulating regions between the touch region and the resistor chain. The insulating regions are separated by gaps to provide a plurality of conductive pathways to the touch region, thereby minimizing non-linear ripple along the sourcing sides of the substrate. Some of the gaps are junction gaps that are formed between the touch region and junctions. Electrically conductive islands are placed within the junction gaps to provide an electrical node within each junction gap, thereby preventing bunching of equipotential lines within the junction, and minimizing non-linear ripple along the non-sourcing sides of the substrate.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A touch sensor, comprising:
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a substrate having a resistive surface bounded by a plurality of peripheral edges, said resistive surface having a touch region interior to said edges;
a series resistor chain proximate a peripheral edge for creating electric fields across said touch region, said resistor chain comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes arranged in series with resistive regions of said surface to form overlap resistors therebetween, each electrode having an inner portion facing said touch region, said inner portions of adjacent electrodes being separated by junctions;
a linear array of insulating regions in said resistive surface between said touch region and said resistor chain, said insulating regions being separated by gaps, at least one of said gaps formed between said touch region and at least one junction; and
an electrically conductive island located within said at least one junction gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A touch sensor, comprising:
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a substrate having a resistive surface at least partially bounded by a pair of opposing peripheral edges, said resistive surface having a touch region interior to said edges;
a series resistor chain proximate each peripheral edge for creating electric fields across said touch region, each resistor chain comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes arranged in series with resistive regions of said surface to form overlap resistors therebetween, each electrode having an inner portion facing said touch region, said inner portions of adjacent electrodes being separated by junctions;
a linear array of insulating regions in said resistive surface adjacent each resistor chain between said touch region and said respective resistor chain, said insulating regions being separated by gaps, said gaps including junction gaps between said touch region and said junctions; and
an electrically conductive island located within at least one of said junction gaps. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A touch sensor, comprising:
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a substrate having a resistive surface bounded by a plurality of peripheral edges, said resistive surface having a touch region interior to said edges;
a series resistor chain proximate a peripheral edge for creating electric fields across said touch region, said resistor chain comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes arranged in series with resistive regions of said surface to form overlap resistors therebetween, each electrode having an inner portion facing said touch region, said inner portions of adjacent electrodes being separated by junctions;
a linear array of insulating regions in said resistive surface between said touch region and said resistor chain, said insulating regions being separated by gaps, wherein at least two of said gaps are selected from different ones of an empty gap, an island gap having an electrically conductive island, and an electrode gap having an electrically conductive extension from one of said inner portions. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification