IP Library Granted Patent US 8,502,796
Granted Patent B1
US 8,502,796 · App. 13/595,595 · Granted Aug 6, 2013

Interpolated single-layer touch sensor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,502,796
App. No.
13/595,595
Granted
Aug 6, 2013
Kind
B1
Abstract

A touch sensor includes a first, second, and third electrode line on one side of a substrate. The first and second electrode lines extend along a first direction, and the third electrode line extends at an angle to the first direction. The first electrode line includes a set of first electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction. The second electrode line includes a set of second electrodes that increase in length along the first direction. The third electrode line includes third and fourth electrodes. A set of the third electrodes decrease in length along the first direction and are interdigitated with the first electrodes. A set of the fourth electrodes increase in length along the first direction and are interdigitated with the second electrodes. The first, second, third, and fourth electrodes are substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Claims (100)

1. A touch sensor comprising:

a substrate comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first electrode line disposed on a first side of the substrate, the first electrode line along a first direction, the first direction extending between the first end and the second end, the first electrode line comprising a plurality of first electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the first electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction;

a second electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the second electrode line substantially parallel to the first direction, the second electrode line comprising a plurality of second electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the second electrodes increasing in length along the first direction; and

a third electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the third electrode line at an angle to the first direction, the third electrode line comprising:

a plurality of third electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the third electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction, the third electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode line; and

a plurality of fourth electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the fourth electrodes increasing in length along the first direction, the fourth electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode line.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a sense line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a drive line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor.

3. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a drive line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a sense line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor.

4. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein:

the first electrode line comprises another set of the first electrodes that increase in length along the first direction;

the second electrode line comprises another set of the second electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction; and

third electrode line comprises:

another set of the third electrodes that increase in length along the first direction; and

another set of the fourth electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction.

5. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the angle of the third electrode line corresponds to a node pitch of the touch sensor.

6. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third electrode lines and the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes have substantially similar widths.

7. The touch sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a substantially uniform gap between the first, second, and third electrode lines.

8. A device comprising:

a touch sensor comprising:

a substrate comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first electrode line disposed on a first side of the substrate, the first electrode line along a first direction, the first direction extending between the first end and the second end, the first electrode line comprising a plurality of first electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the first electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction;

a second electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the second electrode line substantially parallel to the first direction, the second electrode line comprising a plurality of second electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the second electrodes increasing in length along the first direction; and

a third electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the third electrode line at an angle to the first direction, the third electrode line comprising:

a plurality of third electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the third electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction, the third electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode line; and

a plurality of fourth electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the fourth electrodes increasing in length along the first direction, the fourth electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode line; and

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

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a sense line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a drive line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a drive line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a sense line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor.

11. The device of claim 8 , wherein:

the first electrode line comprises another set of the first electrodes that increase in length along the first direction;

the second electrode line comprises another set of the second electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction; and

third electrode line comprises:

another set of the third electrodes that increase in length along the first direction; and

another set of the fourth electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction.

12. A touch sensor comprising:

a substrate comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first electrode line disposed on a first side of the substrate, the first electrode line along a first direction, the first direction extending between the first end and the second end, the first electrode line comprising a plurality of first electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the first electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction;

a second electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the second electrode line substantially parallel to the first direction, the second electrode line comprising a plurality of second electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the second electrodes increasing in length along the first direction; and

a third electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the third electrode line comprising a plurality of segments that stair-step at an angle to the first direction, the plurality of segments comprising a plurality of first segments and a plurality of second segments, the first segments being parallel to the first direction, the second segments being perpendicular to the first direction, the third electrode line comprising:

a plurality of third electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the third electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction, the third electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode line; and

a plurality of fourth electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the fourth electrodes increasing in length along the first direction, the fourth electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode line.

13. The touch sensor of claim 12 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a sense line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a drive line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor.

14. The touch sensor of claim 12 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a drive line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a sense line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor.

15. The touch sensor of claim 12 , wherein:

the first electrode line comprises another set of the first electrodes that increase in length along the first direction;

the second electrode line comprises another set of the second electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction; and

third electrode line comprises:

another set of the third electrodes that increase in length along the first direction; and

another set of the fourth electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction.

16. A device comprising:

a touch sensor comprising:

a substrate comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first electrode line disposed on a first side of the substrate, the first electrode line along a first direction, the first direction extending between the first end and the second end, the first electrode line comprising a plurality of first electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the first electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction;

a second electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the second electrode line substantially parallel to the first direction, the second electrode line comprising a plurality of second electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the second electrodes increasing in length along the first direction; and

a third electrode line disposed on the first side of the substrate, the third electrode line comprising a plurality of segments that stair-step at an angle to the first direction, the plurality of segments comprising a plurality of first segments and a plurality of second segments, the first segments being parallel to the first direction, the second segments being perpendicular to the first direction, the third electrode line comprising:

a plurality of third electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the third electrodes decreasing in length along the first direction, the third electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode line; and

a plurality of fourth electrodes substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a set of the fourth electrodes increasing in length along the first direction, the fourth electrodes being interdigitated with the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode line; and

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

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a sense line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a drive line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor.

18. The device of claim 16 , wherein:

each of the first and second electrode lines is a drive line of the touch sensor;

each of the first and second electrodes is a drive electrode of the touch sensor;

the third electrode line is a sense line of the touch sensor; and

each of the third and fourth electrodes is a sense electrode of the touch sensor.

19. The device of claim 16 , wherein:

the first electrode line comprises another set of the first electrodes that increase in length along the first direction;

the second electrode line comprises another set of the second electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction; and

third electrode line comprises:

another set of the third electrodes that increase in length along the first direction; and

another set of the fourth electrodes that decrease in length along the first direction.

20. The device of claim 16 , wherein the angle of the stair-step corresponds to a node pitch of the touch sensor.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059262/0105 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059333/0222 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2019
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
To: NEODRÓN LIMITED
Reel/Frame 048259/0840 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Dec 21, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047976/0884 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Dec 21, 2018
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047976/0937 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047103/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046426/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: ATMEL CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041715/0747 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Apr 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038376/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 3, 2014
From: ATMEL CORPORATION
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031912/0173 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2013
From: ATMEL TECHNOLOGIES U.K. LIMITED
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030443/0421 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2012
From: YILMAZ, ESAT
To: ATMEL TECHNOLOGIES U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028854/0861 →