Touch Sensor Fabric

• US 20110318985A1
• Filed: 06/23/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William James Mcdermid
• Original Assignee: William James Mcdermid
• Inventors: McDermid, William James
• Application Number:
  US13/166,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20110318985A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 442/189
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/441 Yarns or threads with antistatic, conductive or radiation-shielding properties electroconductive, anti-static or radiation-shielding filaments D01F1/09, D01F1/106; anti-static fabrics D03D15/533; conducting, insulating or anti-static layers for floor coverings D06N7/0042
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0088 Fabrics having an electronic function
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/00 Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/283 synthetic polymer-based, e.g. polyamide or polyester fibres cellulose-based artificial fibres D03D15/225
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04164 Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04166 Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally G06F3/04184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/047 using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2929 Bicomponent, conjugate, composite or collateral fibers or filaments [i.e., coextruded sheath-core or side-by-side type]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3065 Including strand which is of specific structural definition

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for a touch sensor made from fibers with conductive and non-conductive regions. The fibers are woven into a fabric and connected to control electronics. The fibers are grouped and the ends of the fibers in a group are connected together prior to connection to the control electronics in order to reduce the number of connections required between the sensor fabric and control electronics. The control electronics drive signals to the sensor fabric and measure signals from the sensor fabric to determine touch locations and touch contact areas.

Claims