Multiple electrode touch sensitive device

• US 9,141,227 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2014
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neodrón Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Philipp, Harald, Hristov, Luben
• Primary Examiner(s): Bibbins, LaTanya
• Application Number:
  US14/257,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20140225850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 3/04164 Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads
• 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

Abstract

Two different sets of electrodes in a touch sensitive device are formed to produce an electric field gradient from one end of the electrodes to the other end when opposite ends of the electrodes are driven with different voltages. A signal measuring cycle is performed by alternately driving the ends of one set of electrodes, while using the other set of electrodes to receive signals. The roles of the sets of electrodes are then reversed, such that the set that that was driven is now used to receive signals from the other set of electrodes. Reference signals may be obtained by driving both sides of one set of electrodes, and then both sides of the other set of electrodes. The signals obtained are then used to determine the touch position on the touch sensitive device.

Claims

1. A touch sensor comprising:

a plurality of drive electrodes each coupled to an adjacent drive electrode; and

a plurality of sense electrodes each coupled to an adjacent sense electrode;

a microcontroller configured to alternately reverse the roles of the plurality of drive electrodes and the plurality of sense electrodes by;

applying a signal at one end of the plurality of drive electrodes to drive the plurality of drive electrodes while the plurality of sense electrodes receive signals; and

applying a signal at one end of the plurality of sense electrodes to drive the plurality of sense electrodes while the plurality of drive electrodes receive signals.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of drive electrodes and the plurality of sense electrodes are formed on a same layer; and

each of the plurality of drive electrodes is coupled to the adjacent drive electrode by a conductive crossover; and

at least a portion of the conductive crossover is disposed in a separate layer from the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes.

3. The touch sensor of claim 2, further comprising insulating material separating each of the conductive crossovers from conductive material of an adjacent electrode.

4. The touch sensor of claim 3, wherein the adjacent electrode is one of the plurality of drive or sense electrodes that is different from the plurality that comprises the conductive crossovers.

5. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of drive electrodes comprises a conductive mesh of lines of conductive material.

6. The touch sensor of claim 5, wherein the conductive material comprises copper or silver.

7. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein each drive electrode and each sense electrode comprises a substantially diamond-shaped electrode structure.

8. The touch sensor of claim 7, wherein the substantially diamond-shaped electrode structure includes a cut made to substantially split the diamond into two portions that are coupled by a narrow strip of material.

9. A device comprising:

a touch sensor comprising;

a plurality of drive electrodes each coupled to an adjacent drive electrode; and

a plurality of sense electrodes each coupled to an adjacent sense electrode; and

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

a microcontroller configured to alternately reverse the roles of the plurality of drive electrodes and the plurality of sense electrodes by;

applying a signal at one end of the plurality of drive electrodes to drive the plurality of drive electrodes while the plurality of sense electrodes receive signals; and

applying a signal at one end of the plurality of sense electrodes to drive the plurality of sense electrodes while the plurality of drive electrodes receive signals.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the plurality of drive electrodes and the plurality of sense electrodes are formed on a same layer; and

each of the plurality of drive electrodes is coupled to the adjacent drive electrode by a conductive crossover; and

at least a portion of the conductive crossover is disposed in a separate layer from the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising insulating material separating the conductive crossover from conductive material of an adjacent electrode.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the adjacent electrode is one of the plurality of drive or sense electrodes that is different from the plurality that comprises the conductive crossovers.

13. The device of claim 9, the plurality of drive electrodes comprises a conductive mesh of lines of conductive material.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the conductive material comprises copper or silver.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein each drive electrode and each sense electrode comprises a substantially diamond-shaped electrode structure.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the substantially diamond-shaped electrode structure includes a cut made to substantially split the diamond into two portions that are coupled by a narrow strip of material.

17. A method for controlling a touch screen, comprising:

coupling each of a plurality of drive electrodes formed on a first layer of the touch screen to at least one adjacent drive electrode; and

coupling each of a plurality of sense electrodes formed on the first layer of the touch screen to at least one adjacent sense electrode; and

alternately reversing, by a microcontroller, the roles of the plurality of drive electrodes and the plurality of sense electrodes by;

applying a first signal at one end of a plurality of drive electrodes to drive the plurality of drive electrodes while the plurality of sense electrodes receive signals; and

applying a second signal at one end of the plurality of sense electrodes to drive the plurality of sense electrodes while the plurality of drive electrodes receive signals.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

each drive electrode is coupled to the adjacent drive electrode by a conductive crossover; and

at least a portion of the conductive crossover is disposed in a separate layer from the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein insulating material separates the conductive crossover from conductive material of an adjacent electrode.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the adjacent electrode is one of the plurality of drive or sense electrodes that is different from the plurality that comprises the conductive crossovers.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

forming each drive electrode and each sense electrode as a substantially diamond-shaped electrode structure and

forming a cut in each substantially diamond-shaped electrode structure to substantially split the diamond-shaped electrode structure into two portions that are coupled by a narrow strip of material.