System And Method For Reducing Borders Of A Touch Sensor

• US 20140092041A1
• Filed: 08/12/2013
• Published: 04/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neodrón Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ih, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 9,395,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04164 Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes arranging a touch sensor over a first side of a display. The touch sensor comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprising a plurality of electrodes. The second portion comprising a plurality of tracks and a first plurality of connection pads. The method further includes folding the touch sensor around the display such that the second portion of the touch sensor is situated on a second side of the display. The second side of the display different than the first side of the display. Also, the method includes electrically coupling the first plurality of connection pads to a second plurality of connection pads. The second plurality of connection pads configured to be electrically coupled to a controller.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

arranging a touch sensor over a first side of a display, the touch sensor comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a plurality of electrodes, the second portion comprising a plurality of tracks and a first plurality of connection pads;

folding the touch sensor around the display such that the second portion of the touch sensor is situated on a second side of the display, the second side of the display different than the first side of the display; and

electrically coupling the first plurality of connection pads to a second plurality of connection pads, the second plurality of connection pads configured to be electrically coupled to a controller.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

applying a first protective layer to a first side of the touch sensor; and

applying a second protective layer to a second side of the touch sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second portion of the touch sensor further comprises a second plurality of electrodes;

folding the touch sensor around the display comprises folding the touch sensor around the display such that the second plurality of electrodes are situated on the second side of the display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of electrodes are substantially formed of metal lines that have a width of up to 15 microns; and

the plurality of tracks have a width of up to 100 microns.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein folding the touch sensor around the display comprises folding the touch sensor around the display such that a distance between a first edge of the touch sensor and an electrode of the plurality of electrodes closest to the first edge is less than 150 microns.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of connection pads are situated on the second side of the display.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein folding the touch sensor around the display such that the second portion of the touch sensor is situated on the second side of the display comprises folding the touch sensor around the display such that a first track of the touch sensor is on a side of the touch sensor arranged over the first side of the display.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the touch sensor to a cover panel, the touch sensor situated between the cover panel and the display.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a display;

a touch sensor arranged over a first side of a display, the touch sensor comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a plurality of electrodes, the second portion comprising a plurality of tracks and a first plurality of connection pads;

wherein the touch sensor is folded around the display such that the second portion of the touch sensor is situated on a second side of the display, the second side of the display different than the first side of the display; and

a second plurality of connection pads, the second plurality of connection pads electrically coupled to the first plurality of connection pads, the second plurality of connection pads configured to be electrically coupled to a controller.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the second portion of the touch sensor further comprises a second plurality of electrodes;

the touch sensor is folded around the display such that the second plurality of electrodes are situated on the second side of the display.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the plurality of electrodes are substantially formed of metal lines that have a width of up to 15 microns; and

the plurality of tracks have a width of up to 100 microns.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the touch sensor is folded around the display such that a distance between a first edge of the touch sensor and an electrode of the plurality of electrodes closest to the first edge is less than 150 microns.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second plurality of connection pads is situated on the second side of the display.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the touch sensor is folded around the display such that a first track of the touch sensor is on a side of the touch sensor arranged over the first side of the display.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a cover panel, the cover panel coupled to the touch sensor, the touch sensor situated between the cover panel and the display.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a first protective layer applied to a first side of the touch sensor; and

a second protective layer applied to a second side of the touch sensor.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a display;

a touch sensor arranged over a first side of a display, the touch sensor comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a plurality of electrodes, the second portion comprising a plurality of tracks and a first plurality of connection pads;

wherein the touch sensor is folded around the display such that the second portion of the touch sensor is situated on a second side of the display, the second side of the display different than the first side of the display;

a first protective layer applied to a first side of the touch sensor,

a second protective layer applied to a second side of the touch sensor;

a second plurality of connection pads situated on the second side of the display, the second plurality of connection pads electrically coupled to the first plurality of connection pads, the second plurality of connection pads configured to be electrically coupled to a controller; and

a cover panel, the cover panel coupled to the touch sensor, the touch sensor situated between the cover panel and the display.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the plurality of electrodes are substantially formed of metal lines that have a width of up to 15 microns; and

the plurality of tracks have a width of up to 100 microns.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the touch sensor is folded around the display such that a distance between a first edge of the touch sensor and an electrode of the plurality of electrodes closest to the first edge is less than 150 microns.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the second portion of the touch sensor further comprises a second plurality of electrodes;

the touch sensor is folded around the display such that the second plurality of electrodes are situated on the second side of the display.