SELF-SHIELDING CO-PLANAR TOUCH SENSOR

• US 20140049271A1
• Filed: 08/19/2013
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Matthew Trend
• Inventors: TREND, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US13/970,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20140049271A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/663
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/2605 Measuring capacitance capacitive sensors G01D5/24
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0448 Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9613 using two electrodes per touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960765 Details of shielding arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96077 comprising an electrode which is floating

Abstract

In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes multiple first electrodes on a first surface. The first electrodes include a first shape. The touch sensor includes multiple second electrodes on a second surface. The second electrodes include a second shape. The touch sensor includes multiple third electrodes on the first surface that include a third shape that encompasses the second shape and are positioned on the first surface opposite the second electrodes. The touch sensor includes multiple fourth electrodes on the second surface that include a fourth shape that encompasses the first shape and are positioned on the second surface opposite the first electrodes.

Claims

1. A touch sensor comprising:

a plurality of first electrodes on a first surface, wherein the first electrodes comprise a first shape;

a plurality of second electrodes on a second surface, wherein the second electrodes comprise a second shape;

a plurality of third electrodes on the first surface, wherein the third electrodes comprise a third shape that encompasses the second shape and are positioned on the first surface opposite the second electrodes; and

a plurality of fourth electrodes on the second surface, wherein the fourth electrodes comprise a fourth shape that encompasses the first shape and are positioned on the second surface opposite the first electrodes.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein:

the first electrodes are sense electrodes;

the second electrodes are drive electrodes;

the third electrodes are floating electrodes; and

the fourth electrodes are ground electrodes.

3. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces are opposite surfaces of a single substrate.

4. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein:

the first surface is a surface of a first substrate; and

the second surface is a surface of a second substrate.

5. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein:

the third shape is equivalent to but larger than the second shape; and

the fourth shape is equivalent to but larger than the first shape.

6. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first electrodes embody a diamond pattern.

7. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first electrodes embody a snowflake pattern.

8. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein:

the first and third electrodes were cut or etched from a substantially continuous first layer of conductive material deposited on the first surface; and

the second and fourth electrodes were cut or etched from a substantially continuous second layer of conductive material deposited on the second surface.

9. A device comprising:

a touch sensor that comprises;

a plurality of first electrodes on a first surface, wherein the first electrodes comprise a first shape;

a plurality of second electrodes on a second surface, wherein the second electrodes comprise a second shape;

a plurality of third electrodes on the first surface, wherein the third electrodes comprise a third shape that encompasses the second shape and are positioned on the first surface opposite the second electrodes; and

a plurality of fourth electrodes on the second surface, wherein the fourth electrodes comprise a fourth shape that encompasses the first shape and are positioned on the second surface opposite the first electrodes; and

a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the first electrodes are sense electrodes;

the second electrodes are drive electrodes;

the third electrodes are floating electrodes; and

the fourth electrodes are ground electrodes.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the first and second surfaces are opposite surfaces of a single substrate.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the first surface is a surface of a first substrate; and

the second surface is a surface of a second substrate.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the third shape is equivalent to but larger than the second shape; and

the fourth shape is equivalent to but larger than the first shape.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the first electrodes embody a diamond pattern.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the first electrodes embody a snowflake pattern.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the first and third electrodes were cut or etched from a substantially continuous first layer of conductive material deposited on the first surface; and

the second and fourth electrodes were cut or etched from a substantially continuous second layer of conductive material deposited on the second surface.

17. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying logic that is configured when executed to control a touch sensor that comprises:

a plurality of first electrodes on a first surface, wherein the first electrodes comprise a first shape;

a plurality of second electrodes on a second surface, wherein the second electrodes comprise a second shape;

a plurality of third electrodes on the first surface, wherein the third electrodes comprise a third shape that encompasses the second shape and are positioned on the first surface opposite the second electrodes; and

a plurality of fourth electrodes on the second surface, wherein the fourth electrodes comprise a fourth shape that encompasses the first shape and are positioned on the second surface opposite the first electrodes.

18. The medium of claim 17, wherein:

the first electrodes are sense electrodes;

the second electrodes are drive electrodes;

the third electrodes are floating electrodes; and

the fourth electrodes are ground electrodes.

19. The medium of claim 17, wherein the first and second surfaces are opposite surfaces of a single substrate.

20. The medium of claim 17, wherein:

the first surface is a surface of a first substrate; and

the second surface is a surface of a second substrate.