Touch sensor for curved or flexible surfaces

• US 9,501,179 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neodrón Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yilmaz, Esat, Shaikh, Jalil, Guard, David Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kumar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ahn, Sejoon
• Application Number:
  US13/198,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20130032414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,937 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2203/04101 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04102 Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper
• 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

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a substantially flexible substrate configured to bend at an edge between a first surface and a second surface of a device. The edge has an angle of deviation between the first and second surfaces of at least approximately 45°. The apparatus includes a touch sensor disposed on the substantially flexible substrate and configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces. The touch sensor includes drive or sense electrodes made of flexible conductive material configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces. The touch sensor has at least one active area on each of the first and second surfaces.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a substantially flexible substrate configured to bend at an edge between a first surface and a second surface of a device, the edge comprising an angle of deviation between the first and second surfaces of at least approximately 45°

;

a touch sensor disposed on the substantially flexible substrate and configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces, the touch sensor comprising drive or sense electrodes, each drive or sense electrode made of a flexible conductive metal mesh, the flexible conductive metal mesh forming each drive or sense electrode configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces, wherein a flexible conductive material of the conductive metal mesh of the drive or sense electrodes is thicker or wider at the edge than at the first or second surface, the touch sensor having at least one active area on each of the first and second surfaces; and

at least two tracking areas coupled to the substantially flexible substrate, the at least two tracking areas arranged on opposing edges of the substantially flexible substrate, each of the at least two tracking areas comprising one or more tracks providing drive or sense connections to or from the drive or sense electrodes of the touch sensor, the one or more tracks disposed on the substantially flexible substrate and configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the touch sensor is continuous with respect to the first and second surfaces and the edge between them; and

the active areas of the touch sensor on the first and second surfaces are distinct with respect to each other.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the first surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the first surface;

or

the second surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the second surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the second surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the device comprises six surfaces;

the substantially flexible substrate is configured to bend, in addition to the edge between the first and second surfaces of the device, at;

an edge between the second surface and a third surface of the device;

an edge between the first surface and a fourth surface of the device;

an edge between the first surface and a fifth surface of the device; and

an edge between the third surface and a sixth surface of the device;

the touch sensor and the flexible conductive metal mesh of its drive or sense electrodes are configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate, in addition to the edge between the first and second surfaces of the device, at;

the edge between the second and third surfaces;

the edge between the first and fourth surfaces;

the edge between the first and fifth surfaces; and

the edge between the third and sixth surfaces;

the touch sensor has at least one active area on each of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth surfaces, in addition to the first and second surfaces.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the first surface is on a front of the device;

the second surface is on a right side of the device;

the third surface is on a back on the device;

the fourth surface is on a left side of the device;

the fifth surface is on a bottom of the device; and

the sixth surface is on a top of the device.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the first surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the first surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the first surface;

the second surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the second surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the second surface;

the third surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the third surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the third surface;

the fourth surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the fourth surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the fourth surface;

the fifth surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the fifth surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the fifth surface;

or

the sixth surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the sixth surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the sixth surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the substantially flexible substrate and touch-sensor bond pads are bonded to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) to make connection with a controller; and

the FPC is configured for folding away from touch surfaces of the device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the edge comprises an angle of deviation between the first and second surfaces of approximately 90°

.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first or second surface is flat or curved.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises a single-layer configuration or a two-layer configuration.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is a mutual-capacitance touch sensor or a self-capacitance touch sensor.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductive metal mesh comprises fine lines of metal at least a portion of which have a thickness of approximately 5 μ

m or less and a width of approximately 10 μ

m or less.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover panel disposed above the substantially flexible substrate, the cover panel having a thickness of approximately 1 mm.

12. A device comprising:

a substantially flexible substrate configured to bend at an edge between a first surface and a second surface of a device, the edge comprising an angle of deviation between the first and second surfaces of at least approximately 45°

;

a touch sensor disposed on the substantially flexible substrate and configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces, the touch sensor comprising drive or sense electrodes, each drive or sense electrode made of a flexible conductive metal mesh, the flexible conductive metal mesh forming each drive or sense electrode configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces, wherein a flexible conductive material of the conductive metal mesh of the drive or sense electrodes is thicker or wider at the edge than at the first or second surface, the touch sensor having at least one active area on each of the first and second surfaces;

at least two tracking areas coupled to the substantially flexible substrate, the at least two tracking areas arranged on opposing edges of the substantially flexible substrate, each of the at least two tracking areas comprising one or more tracks providing drive or sense connections to or from the drive or sense electrodes of the touch sensor, the one or more tracks disposed on the substantially flexible substrate and configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate at the edge between the first and second surfaces; and

one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein:

the touch sensor is continuous with respect to the first and second surfaces and the edge between them; and

the active areas of the touch sensor on the first and second surfaces are distinct with respect to each other.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein:

the first surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the first surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the first surface;

or

the second surface has at least for edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the second surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the second surface.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein:

the device comprises six surfaces;

the substantially flexible substrate is configured to bend, in addition to the edge between the first and second surfaces of the device, at;

an edge between the second surface and a third surface of the device;

an edge between the first surface and a fourth surface of the device;

an edge between the first surface and a fifth surface of the device; and

an edge between the third surface and a sixth surface of the device;

the touch sensor and the flexible conductive metal mesh of its drive or sense electrodes are configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate, in addition to the edge between the first and second surfaces of the device, at;

the edge between the second and third surfaces;

the edge between the first and fourth surfaces;

the edge between the first and fifth surfaces; and

the edge between the third and sixth surfaces;

the touch sensor has at least one active area on each of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth surfaces, in addition to the first and second surfaces.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein:

the first surface is on a front of the device;

the second surface is on a right side of the device;

the third surface is on a back on the device;

the fourth surface is on a left side of the device;

the fifth surface is on a bottom of the device; and

the sixth surface is on a top of the device.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein:

the first surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the first surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the first surface;

the second surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the second surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the second surface;

the third surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the third surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the third surface;

the fourth surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the fourth surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the fourth surface;

the fifth surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the fifth surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the fifth surface;

or

the sixth surface has at least four edges and the at least one active area of the touch sensor on the sixth surface extends substantially all the way out to at least one of the edges of the sixth surface.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein:

the substantially flexible substrate and touch-sensor bond pads are bonded to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) to make connection with the media embodying logic configured to control the touch sensor;

the FPC is configured for folding away from touch surfaces of the device.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the edge comprises an angle of deviation between the first and second surfaces of approximately 90°

.

20. The device of claim 12, wherein the first or second surface is flat or curved.

21. The device of claim 12, wherein the touch sensor comprises a single-layer configuration or a two-layer configuration.

22. The device of claim 12, wherein the touch sensor is a mutual-capacitance touch sensor or a self-capacitance touch sensor.

24. The device of claim 12, wherein the flexible conductive metal mesh comprises fine lines of metal at least a portion of which have a thickness of approximately 5 μ

m or less and a width of approximately 10 μ

m or less.

26. The device of claim 12, further comprising a cover panel disposed above the substantially flexible substrate, the cover panel having a thickness of approximately 1 mm.