Capacitive sensor pattern

• US 9,727,176 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2011
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoch, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Merkoulova, Olga
• Application Number:
  US13/165,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20120327012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,240 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 345156, 345157, 178 1801, 178103, 178 1803
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• 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: G06F 3/0448 Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality

Abstract

A capacitive sensor pattern comprises a first plurality of sensor electrode elements, a second plurality of sensor electrode elements, and a third plurality of sensor electrode elements. The first plurality of sensor electrode elements is disposed in a first layer above a substrate. The second plurality of sensor electrode elements is disposed above the substrate in an additional layer. At least one of the second plurality of sensor electrode elements is physically coupled with at least two of the first plurality of sensor electrode elements. The third plurality of sensor electrode elements is disposed above the substrate in the additional layer. At least one element of the third plurality is ohmically coupled to a single element of said first plurality.

Claims

1. A capacitive sensor pattern comprising:

a first plurality of sensor electrode elements disposed in a first layer, said first plurality of sensor electrode elements comprising a plurality of receiver electrode elements, wherein a receiver electrode element of said plurality of receiver electrode elements comprises a central component traversed substantially orthogonally by at least two additional components;

a second plurality of sensor electrode elements disposed in a second layer selectively coupled to at least two of said first plurality of sensor electrode elements; and

a third plurality of sensor electrode elements disposed in said second layer, each element of said third plurality selectively coupled to one sensor electrode element of said first plurality of sensor electrode elements, such that said first and third plurality of elements are configured to generate overlapping pixel response functions between adjacent pixels of said capacitive sensor pattern.

2. The capacitive sensor pattern of claim 1, wherein said receiver electrode element is symmetrical along two axes.

3. The capacitive sensor pattern of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of sensor electrode elements further comprises a transmitter electrode element that extends lengthwise along a first axis and widthwise along a second axis, and wherein said central component of said receiver electrode element is substantially parallel to said first axis of said transmitter electrode element.

4. The capacitive sensor pattern of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of sensor electrode elements further comprises a floating electrode element and wherein said receiver electrode element is substantially surrounded by said floating electrode element.