Capacitive Sensing Input Device with Reduced Sensitivity to Humidity and Condensation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A capacitive sensing input device, comprising:
- at least one substrate;
a drive electrode disposed on the substrate;
at least one sense electrode disposed on the substrate and electrically isolated from the drive electrode, at least portions of the sense electrode being separated from the drive electrode by a first gap;
at least one electrically conductive fixed potential or ground conductor disposed in at least portions of the first gap between the sense electrode and the drive electrode;
an electrically insulative touch surface disposed above the substrate, the drive electrode and the sense electrode, the touch surface being separated from the drive electrode by a second gap;
wherein the sense electrode, the drive electrode, the fixed potential or ground conductor and the touch surface are configured respecting one another to at least one of prevent, inhibit and diminish direct electrical coupling through water or water vapor disposed between the sense electrode and the drive electrode or atop, beneath or adjacent to the touch surface.
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Abstract
A capacitive sensing input device particularly well adapted for use in electronic devices such as portable computers, PDA'"'"'s, cell phones, MP3 players and the like is disclosed that has reduced sensitivity to humidity and condensation. One or more fixed potential or ground conductors are placed between a sense electrode and a drive electrode. The fixed potential or ground conductors are configured in respect of the sense and drive electrodes to intercept or block undesired electrical fields or signals resulting from condensation or humidity.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A capacitive sensing input device, comprising:
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at least one substrate; a drive electrode disposed on the substrate; at least one sense electrode disposed on the substrate and electrically isolated from the drive electrode, at least portions of the sense electrode being separated from the drive electrode by a first gap; at least one electrically conductive fixed potential or ground conductor disposed in at least portions of the first gap between the sense electrode and the drive electrode; an electrically insulative touch surface disposed above the substrate, the drive electrode and the sense electrode, the touch surface being separated from the drive electrode by a second gap; wherein the sense electrode, the drive electrode, the fixed potential or ground conductor and the touch surface are configured respecting one another to at least one of prevent, inhibit and diminish direct electrical coupling through water or water vapor disposed between the sense electrode and the drive electrode or atop, beneath or adjacent to the touch surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A capacitive sensing input device, comprising:
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at least one substrate; a drive electrode disposed on the substrate; at least one sense electrode disposed on the substrate and electrically isolated from the drive electrode, at least portions of the sense electrode being separated from the drive electrode by a first gap; at least one electrically conductive fixed potential or ground conductor disposed in at least portions of the first gap between the sense electrode and the drive electrode; an electrically conductive sense plate disposed above the substrate, the drive electrode and the sense electrode, the sense plate being separated from the drive electrode by a second gap; wherein the sense electrode, the drive electrode, the fixed potential or ground conductor and the sense plate are configured respecting one another to at least one of prevent, inhibit and diminish direct electrical coupling through water or water vapor disposed between the sense electrode and the drive electrode or atop, beneath or adjacent to the sense plate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of making a capacitive sensing input device, comprising:
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providing at least one substrate; providing a drive electrode and disposing the drive electrode on the substrate; providing at least one sense electrode and disposing the sense electrode on the substrate such that the sense electrode is electrically isolated from the drive electrode and at least portions of the sense electrode are separated from the drive electrode by a first gap; providing at least one electrically conductive fixed potential or ground conductor and disposing the fixed potential or ground conductor in at least portions of the first gap between the sense electrode and the drive electrode; providing an electrically insulative touch surface and positioning the touch surface above the substrate, the drive electrode and the sense electrode such that the touch surface is separated from the drive electrode by a second gap, and configuring the sense electrode, the drive electrode, the fixed potential or ground conductor and the touch surface respecting one another to at least one of prevent, inhibit and diminish direct electrical coupling through water or water vapor disposed between the sense electrode and the drive electrode or atop, beneath or adjacent to the touch surface.
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24. A method of making a capacitive sensing input device, comprising:
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providing at least one substrate; providing a drive electrode and disposing the drive electrode on the substrate; providing at least one sense electrode and disposing the sense electrode on the substrate such that the sense electrode is electrically isolated from the drive electrode and at least portions of the sense electrode are separated from the drive electrode by a first gap; providing at least one electrically conductive fixed potential or ground conductor and disposing the fixed potential or ground conductor in at least portions of the first gap between the sense electrode and the drive electrode; providing an electrically conductive sense plate and disposing the sense plate above the substrate, the drive electrode and the sense electrode such that the sense plate is separated from the drive electrode by a second gap, and configuring the sense electrode, the drive electrode, the fixed potential or ground conductor and the sense plate respecting one another to at least one of prevent, inhibit and diminish direct electrical coupling through water or water vapor disposed between the sense electrode and the drive electrode or atop, beneath or adjacent to the sense plate.
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25. A method of preventing, inhibiting or diminishing direct electrical coupling through water or water vapor disposed between a sense electrode and a drive electrode, comprising:
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providing at least one electrically conductive fixed potential or ground conductor and disposing the fixed potential or ground conductor in at least portions of a gap between the sense electrode and the drive electrode, and configuring the sense electrode, the drive electrode and the fixed potential or ground conductor respecting one another to at least one of prevent, inhibit and diminish direct electrical coupling through water or water vapor disposed between the sense electrode and the drive electrode.
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Specification