Conductor pattern structure of capacitive touch panel

• US 8,217,902 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc. (TPK Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc. (TPK Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Chang, Ching-Yang, Chien, Shun-Ta
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Alexander S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hicks, Charles V
• Application Number:
  US11/842,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20080264699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,785 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-184, 178 1801- 1808, 341 33- 34
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04111 Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• 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: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part

Abstract

Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulation layer is formed on a surface of each first-axis conduction line. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulation layer of the associated first-axis conduction line.

Claims

1. A conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel formed on a surface of a substrate, the conductor pattern structure comprising:

a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies, each first-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of first-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the substrate along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, a disposition zone being delimited between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor assemblies and between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of first-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells of each first-axis conductor assembly so that the first-axis conductor cells of each respective first-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together;

a plurality of insulation layers, each insulation layer of the plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each second-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of second-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the substrate along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, each second-axis conductor cell being set in each disposition zone;

a plurality of second-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells of each second-axis conductor assembly so that the second-axis conductor cells of each respective second-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together, the second-axis conduction line being extended across a surface of the insulation layer of the respective first-axis conduction line,

wherein first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consist of a transparent conductive material.

2. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

3. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

4. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

5. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

11. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a plurality of signal transmission lines formed on the surface of the substrate, each signal transmission line respectively connecting each first-axis conductor assembly and each second-axis conductor assembly.

12. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

13. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

14. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

15. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

16. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the transparent conductive material is Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

24. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each second-axis conduction line terminates on the edge of each second-axis conductor cell to the adjacent second-axis conductor cells.

31. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive material is Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

6. A conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel formed on a surface of a substrate, the conductor pattern structure comprising:

at least two adjacent first-axis conductor cells; and

at least two adjacent second-axis conductor cells,

wherein the adjacent first-axis conductor cells are connected by a first-axis conduction line provided therebetween,

wherein an insulation layer is formed on a surface of the first-axis conduction line without encompassing the two adjacent first-axis conductor cells, and a second-axis conduction line extends across a surface of the insulation layer to connect between the adjacent second-axis conductor cells, and

wherein first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consist of a transparent conductive material.

7. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

8. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

9. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

10. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

17. A conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel formed on a surface of a substrate, the conductor pattern structure comprising:

a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies, each first-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of first-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the substrate along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, a disposition zone being delimited between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor assemblies and between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of first-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells of each first-axis conductor assembly so that the first-axis conductor cells of each respective first-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together;

a plurality of insulation layers, each insulation layer of the plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each second-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of second-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the substrate along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, each second-axis conductor cell being set in each disposition zone;

a plurality of second-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells of each second-axis conductor assembly so that the second-axis conductor cells of each respective second-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together, the second-axis conduction line being extended across a surface of the insulation layer of the respective first-axis conduction line; and

a plurality of signal transmission lines formed on the surface of the substrate, each signal transmission line respectively connecting each first-axis conductor assembly and each second-axis conductor assembly,

wherein first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consist of a transparent conductive material, and

wherein a capacitance between a first cell of the plurality of first-axis conductor cells and a second cell of the plurality of second-axis conductor cells is measured to detect a position of touch.

18. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

19. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

20. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

21. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

22. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein each second-axis conduction line terminates on the edge of each second-axis conductor cell to the adjacent second-axis conductor cells.

23. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the transparent conductive material is Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

25. A conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel formed on a surface of a substrate, the conductor pattern structure comprising:

a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies, each first-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of first-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the substrate along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, a disposition zone being delimited between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor assemblies and between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of first-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells of each first-axis conductor assembly so that the first-axis conductor cells of each respective first-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together;

a plurality of insulation layers, each insulation layer of the plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each second-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of second-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the substrate along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, each second-axis conductor cell being set in each disposition zone; and

a plurality of second-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells of each second-axis conductor assembly so that the second-axis conductor cells of each respective second-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together, the second-axis conduction line being extended across a surface of the insulation layer of the respective first-axis conduction line,

wherein first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consist of a transparent conductive material, and

wherein a capacitance between a first cell of the plurality of first-axis conductor cells and a second cell of the plurality of second-axis conductor cells is measured to detect a position of touch.

26. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

27. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

28. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

29. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

30. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the transparent conductive material is Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

32. A method of constructing a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of first-axis conductor cells on a surface of a substrate arranged along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner,

forming a plurality of second-axis conductor cells on the surface of the substrate arranged along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells along the first-axis using a plurality of first-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies, wherein each second-axis conductor cell is set in each disposition zone being delimited between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor assemblies and between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

forming a plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells; and

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells along the second-axis using a plurality of second-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each of the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consisting of a transparent conductive material.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first-axis conductor cells, the second-axis conductor cells and the first-axis conduction lines are formed simultaneously.

34. The method of claim 32 further comprising forming a plurality of signal transmission lines on the surface of the substrate, each signal transmission line respectively connecting each first-axis conductor assembly and each second-axis conductor assembly.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein each second-axis conduction line terminates on the edge of each second-axis conductor cell to the adjacent second-axis conductor cells.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the transparent conductive material is Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

35. A method of constructing a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of first-axis conductor cells on a surface of a substrate arranged along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner,

forming a plurality of second-axis conductor cells on the surface of the substrate arranged along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells along the first-axis using a plurality of first-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies, wherein each second-axis conductor cell is set in each disposition zone being delimited between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor assemblies and between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

forming a plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells along the second-axis using a plurality of second-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each of the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consisting of a transparent conductive material; and

measuring a capacitance between a first cell of the plurality of first-axis conductor cells and a second cell of the plurality of second-axis conductor cells to detect a position of touch.

42. A method of constructing a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of first-axis conductor cells on a surface of a substrate arranged along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, wherein each first-axis conductor cell is separated by each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells along the first-axis using a plurality of first-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies;

forming a plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

forming a plurality of second-axis conductor cells in each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells on the surface of the substrate arranged along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner; and

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells along the second-axis using a plurality of second-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each of the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consisting of a transparent conductive material.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising forming a plurality of signal transmission lines on the surface of the substrate, each signal transmission line respectively connecting each first-axis conductor assembly and each second-axis conductor assembly.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the transparent conductive material is Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

44. A method of constructing a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of first-axis conductor cells on a surface of a substrate arranged along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, wherein each first-axis conductor cell is separated by each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells along the first-axis using a plurality of first-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies;

forming a plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

forming a plurality of second-axis conductor cells in each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells on the surface of the substrate arranged along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells along the second-axis using a plurality of second-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each of the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consisting of a transparent conductive material; and

measuring a capacitance between a first cell of the plurality of first-axis conductor cells and a second cell of the plurality of second-axis conductor cells to detect a position of touch.

46. A conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel formed on a surface of a rigid substrate, the conductor pattern structure comprising:

a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies, each first-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of first-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the rigid substrate along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, a disposition zone being delimited between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor assemblies and between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of first-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells of each first-axis conductor assembly so that the first-axis conductor cells of each respective first-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together;

a plurality of insulation layers, each insulation layer of the plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each second-axis conductor assembly comprising a plurality of second-axis conductor cells arranged on the surface of the rigid substrate along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, each second-axis conductor cell being set in each disposition zone;

a plurality of second-axis conduction lines respectively connecting between adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells of each second-axis conductor assembly so that the second-axis conductor cells of each respective second-axis conductor assembly are electrically connected together, the second-axis conduction line being extended across a surface of the insulation layer of the respective first-axis conduction line,

wherein first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consist of a transparent conductive material.

47. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 46, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

48. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 46, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

49. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 46, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

50. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 46, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

51. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 46 further comprises a plurality of signal transmission lines formed on the surface of the rigid substrate, each signal transmission line respectively connecting each first-axis conductor assembly and each second-axis conductor assembly.

52. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 46, wherein each second-axis conduction line terminates on the edge of each second-axis conductor cell to the adjacent second-axis conductor cells.

53. A conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel formed on a surface of a rigid substrate, the conductor pattern structure comprising:

at least two adjacent first-axis conductor cells; and

at least two adjacent second-axis conductor cells,

wherein the adjacent first-axis conductor cells are connected by a first-axis conduction line provided therebetween,

wherein an insulation layer is formed on a surface of the first-axis conduction line without encompassing the two adjacent first-axis conductor cells, and a second-axis conduction line extends across a surface of the insulation layer to connect between the adjacent second-axis conductor cells, and

wherein first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consist of a transparent conductive material.

54. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 53, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

55. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 53, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

56. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 53, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

57. The conductor pattern structure as claimed in claim 53, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

58. A method of constructing a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of first-axis conductor cells on a surface of a rigid substrate arranged along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner,

forming a plurality of second-axis conductor cells on the surface of the rigid substrate arranged along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells along the first-axis using a plurality of first-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies, wherein each second-axis conductor cell is set in each disposition zone being delimited between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor assemblies and between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

forming a plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells; and

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells along the second-axis using a plurality of second-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each of the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consisting of a transparent conductive material.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the first-axis conductor cells, the second-axis conductor cells and the first-axis conduction lines are formed simultaneously.

60. The method of claim 58 further comprising forming a plurality of signal transmission lines on the surface of the rigid substrate, each signal transmission line respectively connecting each first-axis conductor assembly and each second-axis conductor assembly.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the first-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

62. The method of claim 58, wherein the second-axis conduction lines consist of a transparent conductive material.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein the insulation layer consists of a transparent insulation material.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells have a contour of hexagonal shape.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein each second-axis conduction line terminates on the edge of each second-axis conductor cell to the adjacent second-axis conductor cells.

66. A method of constructing a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of first-axis conductor cells on a surface of a rigid substrate arranged along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, wherein each first-axis conductor cell is separated by each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells along the first-axis using a plurality of first-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies;

forming a plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

forming a plurality of second-axis conductor cells in each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells on the surface of the rigid substrate arranged along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner; and

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells along the second-axis using a plurality of second-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each of the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consisting of a transparent conductive material.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising forming a plurality of signal transmission lines on the surface of the rigid substrate, each signal transmission line respectively connecting each first-axis conductor assembly and each second-axis conductor assembly.

68. A method of constructing a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of first-axis conductor cells on a surface of a rigid substrate arranged along a first axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner, wherein each first-axis conductor cell is separated by each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells along the first-axis using a plurality of first-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of first-axis conductor assemblies;

forming a plurality of insulation layers covering a surface of each first-axis conduction line without encompassing the adjacent first-axis conductor cells;

forming a plurality of second-axis conductor cells in each disposition zone between adjacent ones of the first-axis conductor cells on the surface of the rigid substrate arranged along a second axis in a substantially equally-spaced manner;

electrically connecting adjacent ones of the second-axis conductor cells along the second-axis using a plurality of second-axis conduction lines to form a plurality of second-axis conductor assemblies, each of the first-axis conductor cells and the second-axis conductor cells consisting of a transparent conductive material; and

measuring a capacitance between a first cell of the plurality of first-axis conductor cells and a second cell of the plurality of second-axis conductor cells to detect a position of touch.