Touchscreen with bridged force-sensitive resistors
First Claim
1. A touch sensor apparatus, comprising:
- a substrate;
a plurality of first electrodes disposed on the substrate;
a dielectric layer disposed on the plurality of first electrodes;
a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the dielectric layer;
a plurality of intermediate conductors disposed on the dielectric layer and configured for electrical communication with the first electrodes through vias formed in the dielectric layer;
a layer of force-sensitive resistor (FSR) material disposed on the second electrodes and the intermediate conductors; and
a plurality of conductive bridges disposed on the FSR material, each of the conductive bridges being disposed above at least one of the intermediate conductors, wherein the FSR material is configured to form at least one substantially vertical electrical connection between one of the conductive bridges, one of the second electrodes, and one of the intermediate conductors when a force is applied to the FSR material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch sensor may include a digital resistive touch (DRT) sensor architecture that is substantially free of air gaps. The DRT touch sensor may include a layer of force-sensitive resistor (FSR) material on an array of row and column electrodes. The electrodes may be formed on a substantially transparent substrate. Near the intersection of each row and column, one or more thin transparent patterned conductive bridges may be situated above the FSR. The conductive bridges may be configured for electrical connection with row and column electrodes when force is applied to the conductive bridge or surface of the touch sensor. Some touch sensors may include both DRT and projected capacitive touch (PCT) functionality.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A touch sensor apparatus, comprising:
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a substrate; a plurality of first electrodes disposed on the substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the dielectric layer; a plurality of intermediate conductors disposed on the dielectric layer and configured for electrical communication with the first electrodes through vias formed in the dielectric layer; a layer of force-sensitive resistor (FSR) material disposed on the second electrodes and the intermediate conductors; and a plurality of conductive bridges disposed on the FSR material, each of the conductive bridges being disposed above at least one of the intermediate conductors, wherein the FSR material is configured to form at least one substantially vertical electrical connection between one of the conductive bridges, one of the second electrodes, and one of the intermediate conductors when a force is applied to the FSR material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus, comprising:
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substrate means; first electrode means disposed on the substrate means; dielectric means disposed on the first electrode means; second electrode means disposed on the dielectric means; intermediate conductor means disposed on the dielectric means and configured for electrical communication with the first electrode means; force-sensitive resistor (FSR) means disposed on the second electrode means and the intermediate conductor means; and conductive bridge means disposed on the FSR means and disposed above at least a portion of the intermediate conductor means, wherein the FSR means includes means for making at least one substantially vertical electrical connection between an instance of the conductive bridge means, an instance of the second electrode means, and an instance of the intermediate conductor means when a force is applied to the FSR means. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of fabricating a touch sensor apparatus, the method comprising:
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forming a plurality of first electrodes on a substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the plurality of first electrodes; forming vias in the dielectric layer; forming a plurality of second electrodes on the dielectric layer; forming a plurality of intermediate conductors on the dielectric layer, the intermediate conductors being configured for electrical communication with the first electrodes through the vias; disposing a layer of anisotropic force-sensitive resistor (FSR) material on the second electrodes and the intermediate conductors; and forming a plurality of conductive bridges on the FSR material, each of the conductive bridges being disposed above at least one of the intermediate conductors, wherein the FSR material is configured to form at least one substantially vertical electrical connection between one of the conductive bridges, one of the second electrodes, and one of the intermediate conductors when a force is applied to the FSR material. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification