Touch panel sensor

A touch panel sensor for sensing a contact position of part of body comprises a substrate, a resist electrode part including resist electrodes formed on the substrate to have a capacitance changeable according to approaching of the part of body, and a signal electrode part including signal electrodes formed on the resist electrode having resistance coefficient less than the resist electrode.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a touch panel sensor, more particularly, relates to a touch panel sensor which can sense a precise touch position of a finger on a flat plate.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1is a plane view illustrating an ITO thin film for a capacitive touch screen, andFIG. 2is a plane view illustrating an operating mechanism of conventional capacitive touch screen.

Referring toFIG. 1, a conventional touch screen electrically senses a contact position of a finger. When the finger which is a kind of conductive material, locates on an electrode, electric charges can gather between the electrode and the finger. If the electric charges gather, it is possible to measure capacitance between the finger and the electrode, so as to note the finger's touch indirectly.

Not to hide a liquid crystal display or another display, the electrodes of the touch screen may be formed of transparent conductive material, such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

In (a) ofFIG. 1, transparent electrode patterns vertically aligned (along y-axis) are provided. The vertically aligned transparent electrode patterns are provided on a transparent film11made of plastic sheet or glass, and they consist of first nod patterns12and first connecting patterns13which connect the first nod patterns12vertically.

In (b) ofFIG. 1, other transparent electrode patterns horizontally aligned (along x-axis) are provided. The horizontally aligned transparent electrode patterns provided on another transparent film14, consist of second nod patterns15and second connecting patterns16which connect the second nod patterns15horizontally.

Generally the conventional touch screen may be provided by overlaying the ITO transparent sheets of (a) and (b). One example of the overlaid structure of the two transparent sheets mutually bonded is illustrated in (c) ofFIG. 1.

As shown, the second nod patterns15and the first nod patterns12are positioned alternately, such that the connecting patterns connecting the first or second nod patterns intersect up and down. These connecting patterns may be electrically separated by the transparent insulating sheet.

According to the touch screen structure of (c) ofFIG. 1, a signal intense passing through the electrode patterns aligned vertically and horizontally may be changed in accordance with the finger's contact position, such that the coordinates can be calculated by using the changes of the signal intense.

In detail, after deciding the x- and y-coordinates using the signal intenses23and24of the electrode patterns, the coordinates of the intersecting position25may be the position of the fingers contact.

In this instance, electric signal may be generated by the change of the capacitance of the transparent electrode pattern at the fingers contact position22, to be transmitted to a controller for deciding the coordinates of the contact point. The transparent electrode patterns made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) are conductive, but of having high resistance in comparison with general metal.

Since the signal loss by the resistance of the electrode pattern is proportional to area and length of the electrode pattern, manufacturers have a limit to enlarge the size of the touch screens.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention provides a touch panel sensor which can easily sense a weak signal so as to have an outstanding sensitivity even though using an electrode made of a relatively high resistance coefficient.

The present invention provides a touch panel sensor which can be applied to a large size of touch screen, even though using an electrode made of a relatively high resistance coefficient.

The present invention provides a touch panel sensor which has a high signal sensitivity, less limitation to enlargement of screen, less effect on transparency and clearance of a touch screen, even though using a transparent electrode made of high resistance.

Technical Solution

According to one exemplary embodiment of this invention, a touch panel sensor for sensing a contact position of part of body, comprises a substrate, a resist electrode part and a signal electrode part.

The resist electrode part includes resist electrodes formed on the substrate to have a capacitance changeable according to approaching of the part of body, and the signal electrode part includes signal electrodes formed above the resist electrode having resistance coefficient less than the resist electrode. The electric signal generated from the resist electrode part is transferred to the signal electrode part. Since the signal electrode part has a relatively low resistance, the touch panel sensor of this invention can transfer weak signals easily, and may have a large touch screen area.

The touch panel sensor may be used as a touch screen or a general touch pad. In case of being used as touch screens, the substrate may be formed using transparent synthetic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, acryloyl, PET and the like, and glass. The substrate may not be transparent material, in case of being used, for example, to a touch pad for notebook computer or pointing device with stylus pen.

The resist electrode part may be selected considering its optical character, similar to the substrate. Particularly, if optical character is not necessary, the resist electrode may be formed with gold, silver, aluminum and other metal or alloy, otherwise, if transparency is necessary, it may by formed with ITO or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide).

The resist electrode may be made of transparent conductive material, such as ITO, IZO, carbon nano tube (CNT), ultra thin metal pattern (<100 Å). However, since the above materials have a high resistance coefficient rather than metal, the resist electrode made of the above materials may have an extremely high resistance, in case that the electrode is too long and narrow or the touch screen is too broad and large. But, according to this invention, metallic signal electrode part may overcome these problems.

The resist electrode part may comprise first electrode patterns provided parallel on one surface of the substrate, and the signal electrode part may comprise second electrode patterns provided perpendicular to the first electrode patterns on the same surface of the substrate, to be electrically separated from the first electrode patterns, transparent connections formed over the first electrode patterns, and a low-resist line formed on the transparent connections arranged in series, such that the low-resist line can decrease the resistance of the second electrode patterns.

In this specification, a low-resist line may be formed on transparent connections to electrically connect them. The low-resist line may be a continuous conductive line, otherwise may be discontinuously interrupted electrode lines to be arranged or scattered to electrically connect electrodes or connections.

The first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns may be formed on the same surface of a transparent substrate, or may be formed on facing surfaces or opposite surfaces of the substrate. For example, in a case where the substrate is made of enforced glass, the electrode patterns may be formed on a bottom surface of the substrate, or in a case where another substrate is provided under a glass plate additionally, the electrode patterns may be formed on a top surface of the substrate.

The first electrode patterns may be arranged horizontally or vertically. Preferably, the first electrode patterns may include enlarged portions and bridge portions. Otherwise, the first electrode patterns may be formed in a shape of a lane having a uniform width.

Using the first electrode pattern having the enlarged portion and the bridge portion, the enlarged portion may be formed in a shape of rectangular, cube, diamond, circle or the like, which has a width relatively wider than the bridge portion. In a normal state where the objective does not approach to the touch screen, the normal capacitance may be decided by the intersection area of the bridge portion and the low-resist line. However, in the event that the objective approaches, the change of the capacitance may occur through the enlarged portions. The bridge portion may be formed with a width of about 100˜300 μm.

The second electrode patterns are formed in a direction, preferably perpendicular to the first electrode patterns. Otherwise the second electrode patterns may be formed in a direction declined to the first electrode patterns, not parallel. Transparent connections may be formed in an area electrically and physically separated from the first electrode patterns, and may be connected by the low-resist line.

Since the capacitance at the cross-section between the first and second electrode patterns can be affected by the enlarged portion, the second electrode patterns may be formed over or under the first electrode patterns. Also, since an insulating layer or insulating patterns of 0.1˜1.0 μm are interposed between the bridge portion and the low-resist line, the bridge portion intersecting the low-resist line may be formed with a considerably narrow width.

The low-resist line may be formed with a width less than about 30 μm, preferably less than about 10 μm, which cannot be seen by the unaided eye, and to have a considerably low resistance in comparison to conventional transparent electrodes. Moreover, the resistance of the low-resist line may be lowered by increasing its thickness. The low-resist line may be formed using gold, silver, aluminum, nickel, titanium and other metals or its alloy.

Advantageous Effects

The touch panel sensor of this invention uses a signal electrode part having a resistance coefficient less than a resist electrode part, such that the touch panel sensor transfers touch signals easily and is suitable for a large scale touch screen.

The touch panel sensor of this invention has a good signal sensitivity, transparency and clearance.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Below with reference to the attached drawings, preferred one exemplary embodiment of present invention is described in detail, but the present invention is not limited or restricted by one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For reference, same number means same element practically, which may explain quoting the content mentioned at another drawing according to this rule, and the obvious and repeated contents are skipped accordingly.

FIG. 3is a plane view illustrating a touch panel sensor according to the first embodiment of this invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, a touch panel sensor comprises a transparent sheet101, which is provided with a substrate110, a resist electrode part120and a signal electrode part130.

The substrate110is provided in a shape of a thin film, using insulating material such as transparent plastic sheet or glass.

The resist electrode part120includes resist electrodes121aligned vertically (along y-axis) on the substrate to have a capacitance changeable according to an approaching part of a body. The resist electrode part120may be formed using transparent conductive material like ITO or IZO.

The resist electrodes121of the resist electrode part120are connected vertically by connecting patterns122. The resist electrodes121and the connecting patterns122in one row may be formed integrated as one body.

The signal electrode part130comprises signal electrodes131, which is provided in a shape of a line to electrically connect the resist electrodes121and the connecting patterns122in a vertical row, formed thereon. The signal electrodes131may be narrower than the resist electrodes121and the connecting patterns122.

The signal electrode part130may have a resistance coefficient less than that of the resist electrode part120, such as gold, silver, aluminum and other metals.

The metallic signal electrode part130may have a high conductivity, but may hide light from an LCD monitor or other display device because metal usually blocks out light. However, if the signal electrodes are too fine, a user cannot recognize the signal electrodes and feel unchanged brightness due to a light's scattering and diffraction.

According to the present embodiment, the signal electrode part130is provided on the resist electrodes121and the connecting patterns122vertically aligned, in a shape of a straight line. Otherwise, the signal electrode part may be formed in a shape of a non-straight line, along a contour of the resist electrodes and in various shapes. One or more signal electrodes131may be provided on a set of the resist electrodes121and the connecting patterns122.

The touch panel sensor of this embodiment may be produced by overlaying and adhering two of the above mentioned transparent sheets101. For example, the touch panel sensor may be provided by overlaying two sheets, one sheet where the electrode parts are aligned vertically and the other sheet where the electrode parts are aligned horizontally. In the case of overlaying two transparent sheets101, horizontally aligned resist electrodes and vertically aligned resist electrodes are arranged alternately and the connecting patterns of two sheets cross to be electrically separated. The signal electrode part may be provided on the resist electrodes of one sheet. In the case of forming the resist electrodes on both sides of one sheet, the signal electrode part may be provided on just one side of the sheet.

In accordance with this touch panel sensor, the resist electrode parts120located at touched position may have different signal reactions to recognize the coordinates (x, y) of the touched position.

According to a finger contact event, horizontally and vertically aligned resist electrode parts120can have changed signals, the touch panel sensor or the device can calculate x- and y-average amounts to decide the coordinates of the contact position.

Hereinafter, a manufacturing method according to this embodiment is described.

FIGS. 4 to 8are drawings illustrating a manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the invention.

At first, referring toFIG. 4, the resist electrode part120including the resist electrodes121is formed on the substrate110.

After forming a transparent conductive layer, with ITO or IZO, on the substrate110, the resist electrode part120can be treated by photoresist and etching processes to form the patterns shown inFIG. 4.

And then, as shown inFIG. 5, a thin metal layer140is formed on the substrate110where the resist electrode part120is formed.

And then, as shown inFIG. 6, a photoresist layer150is formed on the thin metal layer140. The photoresist layer150may be treated by patterning process.

Referring toFIG. 7, the photoresist layer150may be a positive type and be exposed to light, such as laser, passing through a mask160. Part of the photoresist layer150not exposed to light may be removed to form a photoresist pattern155as shown inFIG. 8.

By etching, part of the metal layer140exposed through the photoresist pattern155may be removed. After removing the photoresist pattern155, the signal electrode part130may be formed as shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 10is a plane view illustrating a touch panel sensor according to second embodiment of this invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, a touch panel sensor comprises a sheet210, a resist electrode part220including vertical nod patterns221˜228formed on the sheet210, and a signal electrode part230including signal electrodes231and232formed on the vertical nod patterns221˜228. The vertical nod patterns221˜228are aligned vertically, and about 6 lines of the vertical nod patterns are provided on the sheet.

The vertical nod patterns221˜228have a first nod pattern221a(or222a) and a second nod pattern221b(or222b). Along a vertical line, the vertical nod patterns221˜228may be provided in a shape of diamond or cube, and each of the vertical nod patterns221˜228may be divided into the first nod pattern and the second nod pattern. For example, from up to down, the area ratios of the first nod patterns and the second nod patterns may be varied, such as (1:8), (2:7), (3:6), (4:4), (5:4), (6:3), (7:2), (8:1).

The first nod patterns221aand222aare connected by a first connecting pattern229a, and the area of the first nod patterns, from up to down, increase by steps. Oppositely, the second nod patterns221band222bare connected by a second connecting pattern229b, and the area of the second nod patterns, from up to down, decrease by steps.

The sheet210of this embodiment may be formed using transparent synthetic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, acryloyl, PET and the like, and glass. Otherwise, the sheet may not be a transparent material, in the case of being used, for example, for a touch pad for notebook computer or pointing device with stylus pen.

The material for the vertical nod patterns221˜228may be selected variously. For example, according to this embodiment, the vertical nod patterns are made of ITO or IZO. But, the resist electrode part may be formed using other conductive material, such as gold, silver, aluminum and the like.

In the vertical nod patterns, the first nod patterns221aand222aare mutually connected, and the second nod patterns221band222bare mutually connected.

The signal electrodes231and232of the signal electrode part230are formed on the vertical nod patterns221to228vertically arranged to connect the vertical nod patterns221to228. Particularly, one of the signal electrodes231is formed on the first nod patterns221aand222aand the first connecting pattern229a, and the other of the signal electrodes232is formed on the second nod patterns221band222band the second connecting pattern229b.

The signal electrodes231and232are narrower than the first and the second nod patterns, and also narrower than the first and second connecting patterns229aand229b.

The signal electrodes231and232are formed using conductive material having a resistance coefficient less than the resist electrode part220, made of ITO or IZO. The signal electrodes231and232may be formed using gold, silver, aluminum and the like.

Although the signal electrodes231and232are not transparent, they are extremely fine compared to the nod patterns and the connecting patterns, so as to be applied to a transparent touch screen and take no effect to transparency and clearance.

Since the electric signal is transmitted via the signal electrodes231and232having a low resistance rather than the resist electrode part220, the signal sensitivity of the touch panel sensor of this embodiment is very excellent.

Since the signal electrodes231and232transmit the signal, the touch screen according to the present invention can be freely enlarged.

Hereinafter, described are processes to calculate x-coordinate using the vertical nod patterns221to228.

Referring toFIG. 10, provided are 6 lines of the vertical nod patterns221to228vertically connected. The x-coordinate can be calculated by a math equation {(n1*1)+(n2*2)+˜(nk*k)}/(n1+n2+˜nk), wherein k is a number of the nod patterns and nk is a sum of the signal intensity at the first and second nod patterns according to k line.

In the case that a signal intensity of the first nod pattern of 4th line is 60, a signal intensity of the first nod pattern of 5th line is 70, a signal intensity of the first nod pattern of the other lines is 0, a signal intensity of the second nod pattern of 3rd line is 80, a signal intensity of the second nod pattern of 4th line is 100, and a signal intensity of the second nod pattern of 5th line is 90, x-coordinate can be calculated using the math equation, particularly x-coordinated in this situation is 4.2 (={(80*3)+(160*4)+(160*5)}/(80+160+160)).

Besides, after calculating x-coordinates of the first nod patterns and the second nod patterns respectively, a final x-coordinate can be calculated on an average of the pre-calculated x-coordinates. For example, one exemplary equation may be ½{(Σn1k*k)/(Σn1k)+(Σn2*k)/(Σn2k)}, wherein k is a line number of the nod patterns, and n1k and n2k are signal intensities at the first and second nod patterns according to k line.

Hereinafter, described are processes to calculate y-coordinate using the vertical nod patterns221to228.

The y-coordinate of the finger contact position can be decided by comparing the signal result measured via the first nod pattern and the second nod pattern, which form a pair. For reference, when a finger makes contact with the first and the second nod patterns simultaneously, the signal intensity transferred to a controller is proportional to the size of the contact area.

To calculate the y-coordinate, it is supposed that the finger contact area and signal intensity at the first nod pattern is A(y) and C(y) respectively and the finger contact area and signal intensity at the second nod pattern is B(y) and D(y) respectively.

The signal intensity transmitted from the first and second nod patterns to the controller are proportional to A(y) and B(y) respectively, to form an equation A(y)/B(y)=C(y)/D(y).

The controller or the device calculates C(y)/D(y), compares it with A(y)/B(y), and determines the amount of y by referring to a table. For example, the table can be defined that if y (0<y<1) is 0.5, A(0.5)/B(0.5) can be 1, if y is 1.0 (at top point), A(1)/B(1) can be ⅛, and if y is zero (at bottom point), A(0)/B(0) can be 8. Using the prepared table, the y-coordinate can be calculated from A(y)/B(y).

According to the above example, supposing that a signal intensity of the first nod pattern of 4th line is 60, a signal intensity of the first nod pattern of 5th line is 70, a signal intensity of the first nod pattern of the other lines is 0, a signal intensity of the second nod pattern of 3rd line is 80, a signal intensity of the second nod pattern of 4th line is 100, a signal intensity of the second nod pattern of 5th line is 90, a signal intensity (C(y)) of the first nod patterns is 130, and a signal intensity (D(y)) of the second nod patterns is 190, C(y)/(D(y) is approximately 0.68.

According to one exemplary table, when A(y)/B(y) is 0.68, y can be 0.65. In the case that the vertical length of a touch panel sensor is 100 mm, y-coordinate can be calculated as about 65 mm.

FIG. 11is a drawing illustrating a touch panel sensor according to the third embodiment of this invention.

Referring toFIG. 11, the touch panel sensor according to the third embodiment may be similar to the touch panel sensor according to the second embodiment. Thus, the description for the touch panel sensor of the third embodiment can refer the description and drawings for the touch panel sensor of the second embodiment, and repeated matters can be skipped.

But a resist electrode part320of the third embodiment is different from the resist electrode part220of the second embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 11, resist electrodes321included in the resist electrode part320are arranged on a substrate310parallel in one direction, and each of the resist electrodes321has a tapering shape.

Particularly, each of the resist electrodes321is formed in a right-triangle shape, and the resist electrodes321are arranged horizontally and uniformly.

A signal electrode part includes signal electrodes331formed on the resist electrodes321.

The substrate310is formed using transparent material, and the resist electrodes321are formed using ITO, IZO and the like for a touch screen.

The signal electrodes331are formed along an edge of the resist electrode and in a shape of a fine and uniform line.

The signal electrodes331may be formed using a low resistance material less than the resist electrode part320, such as gold, silver, aluminum and the like.

Although the signal electrodes331are not transparent, they are provided in a fine line shape, so as to be applied to a transparent touch screen and take no effect to transparency and clearance.

Since the electric signal is transmitted via the signal electrodes331having a low resistance rather than the resist electrode part320, the signal sensitivity of the touch panel sensor of this embodiment is very excellent.

Since the signal electrode331transmits the signal, the touch screen according to this embodiment can be freely enlarged.

For reference, since the width of the resist electrode part320is gradually changed, the change of the capacitance is different in accordance with the finger's contact point to be used to calculate y-coordinate. The resist electrode321having a changed capacitance can be used to calculate x-coordinate.

FIG. 12is a plane view illustrating a touch panel sensor according to the fourth embodiment of this invention.FIGS. 13 to 15are partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a manufacturing method of the touch panel sensor ofFIG. 12.

Referring toFIGS. 12 to 15, a touch panel sensor400according to the present embodiment comprises a transparent substrate410, first electrode patterns420and second electrode patterns430formed on the substrate410, and insulating patterns440interposed between the first electrode patterns420and the second electrode patterns430.

The substrate410may be formed using synthetic film, such as PET, PC, PE and the like, and glass substrate. The substrate410may be installed on a display, like an LCD or LED display module, or otherwise may be applied directly to a transparent sheet or film composing the LCD or LED display module. In this specification, the transparency of the transparent substrate410can mean a little opaque state that does not prevent display function, besides perfectly clear state.

The first electrode patterns420and the second electrode patterns430may be formed on one or both of the top side and bottom side of the substrate410. For example, in case of synthetic film the both electrode patterns may be formed on a top side of the film, however, in case of glass substrate they may be formed on a bottom side of the glass substrate.

The first electrode patterns420may be formed using transparent conductive material, such as ITO, IZO or carbon nano tube (CNT), and may be provided in a shape of line patterns arranged parallel on the substrate410, horizontally or vertically. For example, the first electrode patterns420may include enlarged portions422and bridge portions424provided alternately in series. The enlarged portions422and the bridge portions424aligned alternately in one row, may be formed using the same or different material.

The enlarged portions422have a width relatively or considerably wider than the bridge portions424, and the bridge portions424is located between every enlarged portions422to electrically connect the enlarged portions422. For example, in a device having about 3.0 inch display and touch area, the bridge portions424may be formed with a width of about 0.1˜0.2 mm and the enlarged portions422may be formed with a width of about 4˜6 mm. In this instance, the enlarged portions422have a width of about 20˜60 times wider than the bridge portions424.

The enlarged portions422and the bridge portions424, as shown in drawings, may be formed in rectangular shape, otherwise may be formed in diamond, circle or oval. The enlarged portions422and the bridge portions424may be formed with the same material or on the same surface together with transparent connections436, and may be formed in various shapes as long as they are electrically separated from each other. In a device, the display under the touch panel sensor400can generate electromagnetic interference (EMI), but if the electrode patterns420and430and the transparent connections436are separated by a minimum distance, they can reduce the EMI.

The second electrode patterns430may partially overlay the first electrode patterns420. The second electrode patterns430may be formed over or under the first electrode patterns420to be electrically separated from the first electrode patterns420. To separate them, an insulating layer or insulating patterns440may be formed between the first and the second electrode patterns420and430.

The insulating patterns440may be formed using insulating material, such as SiO2, Si3N4or TiO2, and may be formed by vaporization, sputtering, applying, spraying, laminating, adhesion, printing and the like. As shown in drawings, the insulating patterns440may be provided indirectly by patterning process after vaporization or sputtering, otherwise, may be provided directly by printing without patterning. The insulating patterns440may be provided as one insulating layer. As shown inFIG. 14, after the enlarged portions422, the bridge portions424and the transparent connections436are patterned, the insulating patterns440may be formed by another patterning process.

The second electrode patterns430include the transparent connections436and a low-resist line434. The transparent connections436may be formed with the first electrode patterns420simultaneously. The transparent connections436may be formed with transparent conductive material to have a width of about 0.1˜0.2 mm, which can be formed by a photoresist process etching ITO layer, together with the enlarged portions422and the bridge portions424.

As shown inFIG. 15, the low-resist line434is formed on the insulating patterns440, and passes top surfaces of the transparent connections436to electrically connect the transparent connections436. The low-resist line434may be formed using metal like gold, silver, aluminum or chrome, or may be formed by a patterning process after vaporization or sputtering, or may be formed by a printing process like silkscreen or inkjet. The low-resist line434may be formed with a width less than about 30 μm, preferably less than about 10 μm, not to be seen by unaided eye.

The low-resist line434may be formed in the shape of a straight line, or otherwise may be formed in the shape of a curved line or a folded line, and may be changed regularly or irregularly. In the case that the low-resist line434is formed in a shape of an irregularly curved or folded line, it cannot be seen from outside.

The low-resist line434may be formed together with wire patterns450located at a bezel area. The wire patterns450of the bezel area are focused on one side of the transparent substrate410to be connected to FPCB. Since the wire patterns450are formed with metal, it can be formed simultaneously with the low-resist line434.

FIG. 16is a sectional view illustrating an overlaid structure of the touch panel sensor ofFIG. 12.

Referring toFIG. 16, the low-resist line434formed with metal is provided on the transparent substrate410, the bridge portions424and the insulating patterns440.

For reference, since the transparent conductive material like ITO has an area resistance of about 2500/square, the transparent material of a width of about 100˜300 μm and a length of about 6˜8 cm may have a resistance of several hundred ohm. Thus conventional ITO electrodes are not proper to a large scale display because of extremely high resistance. However, since the metallic low-resist line434is formed with metal, it can reduce the total resistance of the second electrode patterns430, to improve the sensor's sensitivity.

In a normal state where the finger does not approach the touch screen, the normal capacitance may be decided by the intersection area of the bridge portion424and the low-resist line434. For reference, in conventional touch panel sensor using only ITO electrodes, between ITO films is interposed an optical clearance adhesive (OCA) film having a thickness of about 200 μm to form a capacitance. However, the bridge portions424and the low-resist line434are separated by a gap of about 0.1˜1.0 μm through the insulating patterns440, so as to form a capacitance of about 200˜1000 times larger than the conventional touch panel sensor. By controlling the cross area of the bridge portion424and the low-resist line434, the normal capacitance may be properly selected.

Since the cross area of the bridge portions424and the low-resist line434is relatively small, the second electrode patterns430may be located below the first electrode patterns420.

Moreover, the low-resist line434may have less resistance by increasing its thickness, without affecting the transparency of the touch screen. Namely, the low-resist line of this embodiment can control the resistance freely without damaging transparency and clearance.

The low-resist line434of this embodiment is shaped of a straight line, however, it can be shaped of a regularly or irregularly curved line or folded line not to be seen by unaided eye.

The low-resist line434may further have optical absorption. In case of forming a minute dark or anti-reflection pattern on the low-resist line434, for example with carbon/titanium (Cu/Ti), molybdenum (Mo), chrome (Cr), black chrome and the like. Otherwise, the low-resist line itself may be made of a dark metal, such as Cu/Ti, Mo, Cr and the like.

According to the present embodiment, the low-resist line434is formed on a top side of the first electrode patterns420and the transparent connections436. Alternatively the low-resist line may be formed on a bottom side of them.

FIG. 17is a plane view illustrating a touch panel sensor according to the fifth embodiment of this invention.

Referring toFIG. 17, a touch panel sensor500according to this embodiment comprises a transparent substrate510, first electrode patterns520and second electrode patterns530formed on the substrate510, and insulating patterns540interposed between the first electrode patterns520and the second electrode patterns530.

The transparent substrate510may be formed using synthetic film or glass substrate, the first electrode patterns520include enlarged portion522and bridge portions524, and the second electrode patterns530include a low-resist line534and transparent connections536. Other descriptions for materials, structures and manufacturing can refer to the descriptions and the drawings for previous embodiments.

The second electrode patterns530include the low-resist line534and the transparent connections536, which are aligned in one row. In this embodiment, two or more low-resist lines534are grouped to form an electrode, in which top or bottom ends of the low-resist lines are electrically connected. For example, 3 low-resist lines form a group to serve as an independent low-resist line. The low-resist lines434ofFIG. 12are arranged by a distance of about 5 mm, however, the low-resist lines534of this embodiment are arranged by a distance of about 1.7˜1.0 mm, such that three of the lines534are electrically connected at top and bottom ends.

Two or more of the low-resist lines534are grouped to help in an instant calculation of the fingers precise position. The pattern lines are parallel connected, and each of the low-resist lines534in the same group is separated enough, so as to improve the sensitivity according to the changing of the capacitance.

FIG. 18is a plane view illustrating a touch panel sensor according to the sixth embodiment of this invention.

Referring toFIG. 18, a touch panel sensor600according to this embodiment comprises a transparent substrate610, first electrode patterns620and second electrode patterns630formed on the substrate610, and insulating patterns640interposed between the first electrode patterns620and the second electrode patterns630.

The transparent substrate610may be formed using synthetic film or glass substrate, the first electrode patterns620include enlarged portion622and bridge portions624, and the second electrode patterns630include a low-resist line634and transparent connections636. Other descriptions for materials, structures and manufacturing can refer the descriptions and the drawings for previous embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 18, the enlarged portions622are formed in a shape of circle or oval, and the transparent connections636are formed in a shape having concave sides corresponding to the enlarged portions622. The low-resist line634may be formed in a shape of an irregularly folded line on the transparent connections636.

The first electrode patterns620and the transparent connections636are shaped for mutual harmony to be separated by minimum distance, such that they can reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and improve the sensitivity of the sensor.

FIG. 19is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a touch panel sensor according to the seventh embodiment of this invention.

Referring toFIG. 19, the touch panel sensor of this embodiment further comprises low-resist patterns460formed on or in the first electrode patterns420. The low-resist patterns460may be formed enlarged portions422or bridge portions424, and may be formed using conductive material having a low resistance less than transparent conductive material like ITO. In this embodiment, the low-resist lines434and the low-resist patterns460may be formed using the same metal.

The low-resist patterns460may be formed horizontally along the first electrode patterns420, so at to reduce total resistance of the first electrode patterns420. The low-resist patterns460may be formed to have a thickness of less than 100 Å to permit light to pass through itself.

The low-resist patterns460may be formed in a shape of a straight line, otherwise, may be formed in a shape of a repeatedly curved or folded line, regularly or irregularly.

FIG. 20is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a touch panel sensor according to the eighth embodiment of this invention.

Referring toFIG. 20, the touch panel sensor of this embodiment further comprises low-resist patterns465arranged discontinuously on the first electrode patterns420. The discontinuous low-resist patterns465may be formed on the enlarged portions422or the bridge portions424, using conductive material having a low resistance less than transparent conductive material like ITO. Contrary to the low-resist pattern460ofFIG. 19, the low-resist patterns465of this embodiment may be formed wholly or partially on a top or bottom side of the first electrode patterns420.

The low-resist patterns465may be formed parallel to the first electrode patterns420, or otherwise may be formed irregularly. The low-resist line434-1may be formed on the transparent connections discontinuously.

The low-resist patterns465and the low-resist lines434-1may work to reduce total resistance of the first electrode patterns420and the transparent connections436, to be arranged or scattered on the low-resist members465and434-1. Preferably, ends of each of the low-resist patterns465may be partially overlapped.

The discontinuously provided low-resist patterns465and low-resist lines434-1may be arranged regularly, however, according to the present embodiment, they may be provided irregularly for invisibility.

As the above mentioned, however the explanation refers to desirable exemplary embodiment of this invention, present invention may be comprehended to be modified and changed within the idea and domain of this invention reported in the claims to expert dealer in this technology.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The touch panel sensor of this invention can be used to a display module to sense a contact position of part of body.