PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9710095-B2
Application Number: US-81839507-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Touch screen stack-ups

Abstract:
A multi-touch sensor panel is disclosed that can include a glass subassembly having a plurality of column traces of substantially transparent conductive material that can be formed on the back side, wherein the glass subassembly can also act as a cover that can be touched on the front side. Row traces of the same or different substantially transparent conductive material can then be located near the column traces, and a layer of dielectric material can be coupled between the column traces and the row traces. The row and column traces can be oriented to cross over each other at crossover locations separated by the dielectric material, and the crossover locations can form mutual capacitance sensors for detecting one or more touches on the front side of the glass subassembly.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-touch sensor panel, comprising:
 a transparent cover having a front side capable of being touched and a back side opposite the front side; 
 a subassembly including: 
 a substrate having a front surface adhered to the back side of the cover and a back surface, opposite the front surface for adhering to a liquid crystal display; 
 a plurality of first traces of a first substantially transparent conductive material formed by patterning on the front surface of the substrate; and 
 a plurality of second traces of a second substantially transparent material formed by patterning on the back surface of the substrate; and 
 wherein the substrate forms a dielectric material between the plurality of first traces and the plurality of second traces; and 
 wherein the plurality of first and the plurality of second traces are oriented to cross over each other at crossover locations separated by the dielectric material, the crossover locations forming mutual capacitance sensors for detecting one or more touches on the front side of the transparent cover; 
 wherein an adhesive, distinct from the substrate, is used to adhere the subassembly to the back side of the transparent cover and to adhere at least a portion of the subassembly to the liquid crystal display; and 
 wherein a passivation layer is disposed between the adhesive and the plurality of first traces and between the adhesive and the plurality of second traces. 
 
     
     
       2. The multi-touch sensor panel of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive and the passivation layer prevents acid in the pressure sensitive adhesive from damaging the plurality of first traces and the plurality of second traces. 
     
     
       3. The multi-touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second substantially transparent conductive materials are the same. 
     
     
       4. The multi-touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible printed circuit (FPC) coupled to the plurality of second traces on the back side of the substrate. 
     
     
       5. The multi-touch sensor panel of  claim 4 , further comprising another flexible printed circuit coupled to the plurality of first traces on the front side of the substrate. 
     
     
       6. The multi-touch sensor panel of  claim 1 ,
 the panel further comprising a flexible printed circuit (FPC) coupled to at least one of the plurality of first or second traces, and 
 wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive and adheres the portion of the glass subassembly to a polarizer of the liquid crystal display. 
 
     
     
       7. The multi-touch sensor panel of  claim 6 , wherein flexible printed circuit board is coupled to the plurality of second traces and an anisotropic conductive film is used to bond the flexible printed circuit to at least the back side of glass subassembly. 
     
     
       8. A method for forming a multi-touch sensor panel comprising:
 providing a transparent cover having a front side capable of being touched and a back side opposite the front side; 
 forming a plurality of first traces of a first substantially transparent conductive material by patterning the plurality of first traces on a front surface of a substrate; 
 forming a plurality of second traces of a second substantially transparent material by patterning the plurality of second traces on a back surface of the substrate, opposite the front surface; 
 orienting the plurality of first traces and the plurality of second traces to cross over each other at crossover locations separated by the substrate serving as a dielectric material, the crossover locations forming mutual capacitance sensors for detecting one or more touches on the front side of the subassembly; and 
 disposing a first passivation layer over the plurality of first traces on a front surface of the substrate; 
 disposing a second passivation layer over the plurality of second traces on a back surface of the substrate; 
 disposing an adhesive over the first and second passivation layers, the adhesive begin distinct from the substrate; 
 adhering the transparent cover to the adhesive disposed on the first passivation layer; and 
 adhering a display to the adhesive on the second passivation layer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/878,783, filed on Jan. 5, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all intended purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This relates to touch screens, and more particularly, to the stack-up of materials comprising the touch screens. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many types of input devices are presently available for performing operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, touch panels, joysticks, touch screens and the like. Touch screens, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular because of their ease and versatility of operation as well as their declining price. Touch screens can include a touch panel, which can be a clear panel with a touch-sensitive surface. The touch panel can be positioned in front of a display screen so that the touch-sensitive surface covers the viewable area of the display screen. Touch screens can allow a user to make selections and move a cursor by simply touching the display screen via a finger or stylus. In general, the touch screen can recognize the touch and position of the touch on the display screen, and the computing system can interpret the touch and thereafter perform an action based on the touch event. 
     Touch panels can include an array of touch sensors capable of detecting touch events (the touching of fingers or other objects upon a touch-sensitive surface). Future panels may be able to detect multiple touches (the touching of fingers or other objects upon a touch-sensitive surface at distinct locations at about the same time) and near touches (fingers or other objects within the near-field detection capabilities of their touch sensors), and identify and track their locations. Examples of multi-touch panels are described in Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/842,862 entitled “Multipoint Touchscreen,” filed on May 6, 2004 and published as U.S. Published Application No. 2006/0097991 on May 11, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     Various materials, adhesives, and processing steps are required to make a touch screen stackup that can be functional, cost-effective, and space-efficient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This relates to a multi-touch sensor panel that can include a glass subassembly that can have a plurality of column traces of substantially transparent conductive material formed on the back side, the glass subassembly also acting in some embodiments as a cover that can be touched on the front side. Row traces of the same or different substantially transparent conductive material can then be located near the column traces, with a layer of dielectric material that can be coupled between the column traces and the row traces. The row and column traces can be oriented to cross over each other at crossover locations separated by the dielectric material, wherein the crossover locations can form mutual capacitance sensors for detecting one or more touches on the front side of the glass subassembly. 
     Alternative touch screen sensor panel embodiments can be fabricated with (1) rows and columns on the back side of a cover glass, (2) columns on the back side of a cover glass and rows on the bottom side of a separate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, (3) columns and rows formed on opposite sides of a single substrate, (4) columns and rows formed on two separate PET films, and (5) columns on the back side of a cover glass and rows on the top side of a separate PET film. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 a -1 d    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with rows and columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 2 a -2 d    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 3 a -3 c    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 4 a -4 d    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with rows and columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 7 a -7 d    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the top side of a separate glass substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 11 a -11 c    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of an exemplary flexible printed circuit (FPC) stackup according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b    illustrate top views of an exemplary FPC design according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates top views of exemplary FPC designs that can connect to the rows and columns of the sensor panel according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of an exemplary flexible printed circuit (FPC) stackup according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIGS. 16 a -16 c    illustrate top views of an exemplary FPC design according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 17 a    illustrates an exemplary partially fabricated cover for a touch screen sensor panel according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 17 b    illustrates an exemplary top PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 17 c    illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns and rows that can be formed on two separate PET films according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary computing system that can be operable with the touchscreen stackups according to one embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 19 a    illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone that can include the touchscreen stackups and computing system according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 19 b    illustrates an exemplary digital audio/video player that can include the touchscreen stackups and computing system according to embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     It should be understood that in all of the figures and descriptions that follow, the listed materials, properties and dimensions (listed in units of millimeters unless otherwise noted) are merely exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 1 a -1 d    illustrate various exemplary touchscreen sensor panel stackups with rows and columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 1 a    shows window  1116  that can be formed in 0.8 to 1.0 polycarbonate (PC) housing  118 . Within window  116  can be a stack-up in which the row and column traces can be formed on the back side of a cover glass. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  100  can have a front or top side capable of sensing when the user touches the window above it, and a back side opposite the front side. Glass subassembly  100  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent anti-glare (AG) coating  113  (shown as a dashed line at the top of the subassembly) (or this can be anti-reflective (AR) coating, or just plain glass or plastic surface of the window), substantially transparent 0.7 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, black mask (in limited areas), substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) (15 to 200 ohms per square max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, a substantially transparent 0.025 dielectric layer (e.g. sol-gel TIO2) with vias, and another layer of substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 to 200 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as rows. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. The black mask (or a mask of any color) can be used to hide the electrical interconnect such as metal traces located in the border areas of the touchscreen. The dielectric layer can be used as a planarization layer to enable the one layer of patterned ITO to be formed on top of another. Note that these patterned ITO layers and the dielectric layer in between are symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 1 a    as a dashed line representing patterning  102 . 
     Substantially transparent PET subassembly  106  can be bonded to glass subassembly  100  using pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  108 . One purpose of PET subassembly  106  can be to support a 0.188 continuous sheet of ITO (500 ohm max) that can be formed on the bottom of the PET film which can be used to shield the glass subassembly from LCD  110 , and also to provide a low capacitive spacing between the shield layer of ITO and the rows and columns. Together, glass subassembly  100  through PET film subassembly  100 , and any intervening layers, can form the touchscreen. 
     Flexible printed circuit (FPC)  104  can be bonded using anisotropic conductive film (ACF) (0.003 after bonding) to the back side of glass subassembly  100 . Conductive tape  112  can be used to ground the ITO formed on the bottom of the PET subassembly  106 . Substantially transparent PSA  114  of 0.125 thickness can be used to bond PET film subassembly  106  to the LCD module, which can include a 0.2 polarizer layer  115  and liquid crystals  117 . The complete assembly can then be mounted into window  116  in housing  118 . Note that when the complete assembly is mounted in housing  118 , glass subassembly  100  can be either even with or slightly recessed (0.3 Z step) from the top of the window. 
       FIG. 1 b    is similar to  FIG. 1 a   , except that PET film subassembly  106  is not fully laminated to LCD module  110 . Instead, air gap  120  can be formed between them, and a ring of Poron  122  can be formed around the perimeter of the touchscreen. The air gap can allow for easier separation of the touchscreen from the LCD module in case repair, replacement or upgrading is needed. Anti-reflective (AR) coating can be applied to one or both surfaces adjacent to the air-gap to minimize reflections and associated contrast ratio degradation. 
       FIG. 1 c    is similar to  FIG. 1 b    in that it includes air gap  120 , but it can be mounted into an enclosure having overhanging bezel  124 . This can be less expensive because bezel  124  can hide electrical interconnect formed in the border areas of the touchscreen, which can eliminate the need for blackmask. In addition, it can be less expensive because the housing can cover the edges of the touchglass, eliminating the need for grinding and polishing steps. Glass subassembly  132  can be identical to glass subassembly  100  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1 d    is a hybrid of  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 c   , wherein overhanging bezel  124  can allow the blackmask step to be eliminated, and full lamination can be used (see full layer of PSA  108 ). Note that full lamination can result in a mechanically stiffer and stronger stackup, but the benefit of having an air gap is that it can make the parts separable and replaceable. 
       FIGS. 2 a -2 d    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 2 a    shows window  216  that can be formed in 0.8 to 1.0 PC housing  218 . Within window  216  can be a stack-up in which the column traces can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and row traces can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  234  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent AG coating  213  (shown as a dashed line at the top of the subassembly), substantially transparent 0.7 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, black mask (in limited areas), and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 to 200 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns. Note that the patterned ITO layer is symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 2 a    as a dashed line representing patterning  250 . Substantially transparent PET subassembly  236  of thickness 0.188 can be bonded to glass subassembly  234  using PSA  208 . One purpose of PET subassembly  236  can be to support a substantially transparent layer of conductive material such as patterned ITO (75 to 500 ohm max, with 5.0 lines and 0.050 spaces) formed as rows, and also to provide a low capacitive layer between the rows and columns. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Together, glass subassembly  234  through PET film subassembly  236 , and any intervening layers, can form the touchscreen. 
     FPC  204  can be bonded using ACF (0.003 after bonding) to the back side of glass subassembly  234 . FPC  226  can be also bonded using ACF to the rows that can be formed on the bottom of PET subassembly  236 . Substantially transparent PSA  214  of 0.125 thickness can be used to bond PET film subassembly  236  to LCD module  210 , which can include a 0.2 polarizer layer  215  and liquid crystals  217 . The complete assembly can then be mounted into window  216  in housing  218 . Note that when the complete assembly is mounted in housing  218 , glass subassembly  234  can be either even with or slightly recessed (0.3 Z step) from the top of the window. 
       FIG. 2 b    is similar to  FIG. 2 a   , except that PET film subassembly  236  is not fully laminated to LCD module  210 . Instead, air gap  220  can be formed between them, and a ring of Poron  222  can be formed around the perimeter of the touchscreen. 
       FIG. 2 c    is similar to  FIG. 2 b    in that it includes air gap  220 , but it can be mounted into an enclosure having overhanging bezel  224 . 
       FIG. 2 d    is a hybrid of  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 c   , wherein overhanging bezel  224  can allow the blackmask step to be eliminated, and full lamination can be used (see full layer of PSA  208 ). 
       FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 3 a    shows an approximately 0.9 substantially transparent PC (or glass) housing  318 . Bonded to housing  318  using 0.100 substantially transparent PSA  308  can be a stack-up in which the column traces and row traces can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  338  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, for example, substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 to 200 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, substantially transparent 0.7 borosilicate or aluminum silicate or chemically strengthened soda lime glass, and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (75 to 200 ohm max, with 5.0 lines and 0.050 spaces) formed as rows. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Note that the patterned ITO layers are symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 3 a    as dashed lines representing patterning  319  and  350 . 
     FPC  330  can be bonded using ACF (0.003 after bonding) to the rows on the back side of glass subassembly  338 , and also another FPC (not shown in  FIG. 3 a   ) can be bonded to the columns which are on the front or top side of the glass. Clear PSA  314  of 0.100 thickness can be used to bond glass subassembly  338  to LCD module  310 , which can include polarizer layer  315  and liquid crystals  317 . 
       FIG. 3 b    is similar to  FIG. 3 a   , except that glass subassembly  338  is not fully laminated to LCD module  310 . Instead, air gap  320  can be formed between them, and a ring of Poron  322  can be formed around the perimeter of glass subassembly  338 . AR films or coatings can be applied to the back of the touch glass, and the front of the polarizer, to minimize optical losses. 
       FIG. 3 c    is similar to  FIG. 3 a   , except that passivation layers  301  are formed between patterning  319  and PSA  309 , and between patterning  350  and PSA  314 . Passiviation layers  301  can be formed from silicon oxide, and can serve to prevent acid in the PSA from attacking the patterned ITO. Passivation layers  301  can also physically protect the ITO and metal layers from other corrosive agents, such as sweat from an assembly operator during the manufacturing process, and can physically protect the ITO and metal layers from scratches during assembly. It should be understood that although the use of passivation layers between ITO patterning and the PSA is only shown in  FIG. 3 c   , a passivation layer can be formed between the ITO or metal and the PSA in any of the embodiments described and shown herein. 
       FIGS. 4 a -4 d    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with rows and columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 4 a    shows window  416  that can be formed in 0.8 to 1.0 substantially transparent PC housing  418 . Within window  416  can be a stack-up in which the column and row traces can be formed on the back side of a cover glass. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  442  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, for example, substantially transparent AG coating  413  (shown as a dashed line at the top of the subassembly), substantially transparent 0.7 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, black mask (in limited areas), substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 to 200 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, 0.025 mm substantially transparent dielectric (sol-gel TIO2) with vias, patterned metal (0.025 ohm max, 0.030 lines and 0.030 spaces), and a 0.188 layer of substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (75 to 200 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as rows. The patterned metal can be formed in the border areas of the touchscreen to connect to the rows and/or columns and route them to an edge of the touchscreen. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Note that the patterned ITO layers, dielectric and metal are symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 4 a    as a dashed line representing patterning  444 . Substantially transparent PET subassembly  406  can be bonded to glass subassembly  442  using substantially transparent PSA  408 . One purpose of PET subassembly  406  can be to support a 0.188 continuous sheet of ITO (500 ohm). Together, glass subassembly  442  through PET film subassembly  406 , and any intervening layers, can form the touchscreen. 
     FPC  404  can be bonded using ACF (0.003 after bonding) to the back side of glass subassembly  442 . Conductive tape  412  can also be bonded using ACF to PET subassembly  406  to ground the continuous sheet of ITO. Substantially transparent PSA  414  of 0.125 thickness can be used to bond PET film subassembly  406  to LCD module  410 , which can include a 0.2 polarizer layer  415  and liquid crystals  417 . The complete assembly can then be mounted into window  416  in housing  418 . Note that when the complete assembly is mounted in housing  418 , glass subassembly  442  can be either even with or slightly recessed (0.3 Z step) from the top of the window. 
     Chip on glass  446  can be connected to metal border traces, rows and column traces on glass subassembly  442 . Chip on glass  446  can be supported in a hole or cutout on PET film subassembly  406 , and can contain one or more components of a sensor panel subsystem, including one or more processors, drivers, analog channels, and the like. The polarizer may also have a hole or cutout to allow the presence of the chip on glass. Chip on glass  446  can enable only a very small flex connector to be attached to the touchscreen to communicate with the system processor, because now most of the circuitry can be contained on the touchscreen. 
       FIG. 4 b    is similar to  FIG. 4 a   , except that PET film subassembly  406  is not fully laminated to LCD module  410 . Instead, air gap  420  can be formed between them, and a ring of Poron  422  can be formed around the perimeter of the touchscreen. AR coating can also be used to minimize losses. 
       FIG. 4 c    is similar to  FIG. 4 b    in that it includes air gap  420 , but it is mounted into clear PC housing  424  having overhanging bezel. A sealing ring of Poron  422  can be formed between the bezel and glass subassembly  442 . 
       FIG. 4 d    is a hybrid of  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 c   , wherein an overhanging bezel can allow the blackmask on glass subassembly  442  to be eliminated, and full lamination can be used (see full layer of PSA  414 ). 
       FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 5 a    shows window  516  that can be formed in 0.8 to 1.0 PC housing  518 . Within window  516  can be a stack-up in which the column traces can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and row traces can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  534  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent AG coating  513  (shown as a dashed line at the top of the subassembly), substantially transparent 0.7 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, black mask (in limited areas), and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns. Note that the patterned ITO layer is symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 5 a    as a dashed line representing patterning  550 . Substantially transparent PET subassembly  536  can be bonded to glass subassembly  534  using substantially transparent PSA  508 . One purpose of PET subassembly  536  can be to support a 0.188 layer of substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (150 ohm max, with 5.0 lines and 0.050 spaces) formed as rows, and also to provide a low capacitive layer between the rows and columns. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Chip on glass  546  can be connected to column traces on glass subassembly  534 , and to row traces on PET film subassembly  536 . Chip on glass  546  can be supported in a hole on PET film subassembly  536 , and can contain one or more components of a sensor panel subsystem, including one or more processors, drivers, analog channels, and the like. Together, glass subassembly  534  through PET film subassembly  536 , chip on glass  546  and any intervening layers, can form the touchscreen. 
     FPC  504  can be bonded using 0.125 thick (max) ACF to the back side of glass subassembly  534 . FPC can also be bonded using ACF to the rows formed on the bottom of PET subassembly  536 . Substantially transparent PSA  514  of 0.125 thickness can be used to bond PET film subassembly  536  to LCD module  510 , which can include a 0.2 polarizer layer  515  and liquid crystals  517 . The complete assembly can then be mounted into window  516  in housing  518 . Note that when the complete assembly is mounted in housing  518 , glass subassembly  534  can be either even with or slightly recessed (0.3 Z step) from the top of the window. 
       FIG. 5 b    is similar to  FIG. 5 a   , except that PET film subassembly  536  is not fully laminated to LCD module  510 . Instead, air gap  520  can be formed between them, and a ring of Poron  522  can be formed around the perimeter of the touchscreen. 
       FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 6 a    shows PC housing  624  having an overhanging bezel. A sealing ring of Poron  622  can be formed between the bezel and substantially transparent glass subassembly  652 . Glass subassembly  652  can be part of a stack-up in which the column traces can be formed on the back side of the glass subassembly and row traces can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film. Glass subassembly  652  has a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent AG coating  613  (shown as a dashed line at the top of the subassembly), substantially transparent 0.7 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, black mask (in limited areas), substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, and patterned metal (0.025 ohm max, with 0.030 lines and 0.030 spaces). Note that the patterned ITO and metal layer is symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 6 a    as a dashed line representing patterning  654 . Substantially transparent PET subassembly  636  can be bonded to glass subassembly  652  using substantially transparent PSA  608 . One purpose of PET subassembly  636  can be to support a 0.188 layer of substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (150 ohm max, with 5.0 lines and 0.050 spaces) formed as rows, and also to provide a low capacitive layer between the rows and columns. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Chip on glass  646  can be connected to column traces on glass subassembly  652 , and to row traces on PET film subassembly  636 . Chip on glass  646  can be supported in a hole on PET film subassembly  636 , and can contain one or more components of a sensor panel subsystem, including one or more processors, drivers, analog channels, and the like. Together, glass subassembly  652  through PET film subassembly  636 , chip on glass  646  and any intervening layers, can form the touchscreen. 
     FPC  604  can be bonded using 0.125 thick (max) ACF to the back side of glass subassembly  652 . FPC  604  can also be bonded using ACF to the rows formed on the bottom of PET subassembly  636 . Air gap  620  can be formed between PET film subassembly  636  and LCD module  610 , which can include a 0.2 polarizer layer  615  and liquid crystals  617 , and a ring of Poron  622  can be formed around the perimeter of the touchscreen. 
       FIG. 6 b    is similar to  FIG. 6 a   , except that PET film subassembly  636  can be fully laminated to LCD module  610  using PSA  614 . 
       FIGS. 7 a -7 d    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 7 a    shows 0.9 substantially transparent PC (or glass) housing  718 . Bonded to housing  718  using 0.100 substantially transparent PSA  708  can be a stack-up in which the column traces and row traces can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  756  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 to 200 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, substantially transparent 0.5 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (75 ohm max, with 0.5 lines and 0.050 spaces) formed as rows. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Note that the patterned ITO layers are symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 7 a    as dashed lines representing patterning  719  and  750 . 
     FPC  730  and  704  can be bonded using 0.125 thick (max) ACF to the columns and rows on either side of glass subassembly  756 . Substantially transparent PSA  714  of 0.100 thickness can be used to bond glass subassembly  756  to LCD module  710 , which can include polarizer layer  715  and liquid crystals  717 . 
       FIG. 7 b    is similar to  FIG. 7 a   , except that glass subassembly  756  is not fully laminated to LCD module  710 . Instead, air gap  720  can be formed between them, and a ring of Poron  722  can be formed around the perimeter of glass subassembly  756 . 
       FIG. 7 c    is similar to  FIG. 7 a   , but additionally shows an implementation of wings  758  on FPC  760  (see thumbnail at lower left corner). Each FPC  760  can be generally long and slender to provide maximum panel utilization. In the thumbnail of  FIG. 7 c   , the upper FPC  704  can get folded back, as can the lower FPC  730 , and they can be connected together behind the panel. 
       FIG. 7 d    is similar to  FIG. 7 b   , but additionally shows an implementation of wings  758  on FPC  760  (see thumbnail at lower left corner). Each FPC  760  can be generally long and slender to provide maximum panel utilization. In the thumbnail of  FIG. 7 c   , the upper FPC  704  can get folded back, as can the lower FPC  730 , and they can be connected together behind the panel. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 8  shows window  816  formed in 0.9 PC housing  818 . Within window  816  can be a stack-up in which the column traces can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and row traces can be formed on the bottom side of a separate PET film. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  862  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, for example, substantially transparent AG coating  813  (shown as a dashed line at the top of the subassembly), substantially transparent 0.7 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, black mask (in limited areas), and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns. Note that the patterned ITO layer is symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 8  as a dashed line representing patterning  864 . Substantially transparent PET subassembly  868  of thickness 0.188 can be bonded to glass subassembly  862  using PSA  808 . One purpose of PET subassembly  868  can be to support a layer of substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (75 ohm max, with 5.0 lines and 0.050 spaces) that can be formed as rows, and also to provide a low capacitive layer between the rows and columns. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Together, glass subassembly  862  through PET film subassembly  868 , and any intervening layers, can form the touchscreen. 
     FPC  804  can be bonded using 0.125 thick (max) ACF to the back side of glass subassembly  862 . FPC  826  can also be bonded using ACF to the rows that can be formed on the bottom of PET subassembly  868 . Substantially transparent PSA  814  of 0.125 thickness can be used to bond PET film subassembly  868  to LCD module  810 , which can include a 0.2 polarizer layer  815  and liquid crystals  817 . The complete assembly can then be mounted into window  816  in housing  818 . Note that when the complete assembly is mounted in housing  818 , glass subassembly  862  can be either even with or slightly recessed (0.3 Z step) from the top of the window.  FIG. 8  also shows additional detail in the thumbnails (at the bottom left of  FIG. 8 ) on how the FPCs  860  can be connected to the sensor panel. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 9  shows window  916  that can be formed in 0.9 PC housing  918 . Within window  916  can be a stack-up in which the column traces and row traces can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  972  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent AG coating, substantially transparent 0.5 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, and black mask (in limited areas). Substantially transparent glass subassembly  976  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, substantially transparent 0.5 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (75 ohm max, with 0.5 lines and 0.050 spaces) formed as rows. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. PSA  908  can be used to bond glass subassemblies  972  and  976  together. Note that the patterned ITO layers are symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 9  as dashed lines representing patterning  978  and  980 . 
     FPC can be bonded using 0.125 thick (max) ACF to the columns and rows on either side of glass subassembly  976 . Substantially transparent PSA  914  of 0.125 thickness can be used to bond glass subassembly  976  to LCD module  910 , which can include polarizer layer  915  and liquid crystals  917 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns that can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and rows that can be formed on the top side of a separate glass substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 10  shows window  1016  that can be formed in 0.9 PC housing  1018 . Within window  1016  can be a stack-up in which the column traces can be formed on the back side of a cover glass and row traces can be formed on the top side of a separate PET film. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  1082  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent AG coating  1013  (shown as a dashed line at the top of the subassembly), substantially transparent 0.5 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, black mask (in limited areas), and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) that can be formed as columns. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  1084  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, substantially transparent 0.5 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, and a continuous sheet of substantially transparent ITO (500 ohm max). The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Glass subassemblies  1082  and  1084  can be bonded together with substantially transparent PSA  1008 . Note that the patterned ITO layers are symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 10  as dashed lines representing patterning  1064  and  1086 . Together, glass subassembly  1082  through glass subassembly  1084 , and any intervening layers, can form the touchscreen. 
     FPCs can be bonded using 0.125 thick (max) ACF to the back side of glass subassembly  1082  and the top side of glass subassembly  1084 . Substantially transparent PSA  1014  of 0.125 thickness can be used to bond glass subassembly  1084  to LCD module  1010 , which can include a 0.2 polarizer layer  1015  and liquid crystals  1017 . The complete assembly can then be mounted into window  1016  in housing  1018 . Note that when the complete assembly is mounted in housing  1018 , glass subassembly  1082  can be either even with or slightly recessed (0.3 Z step) from the top of the window. 
       FIGS. 11 a -11 c    illustrate various exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackups with columns and rows that can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate according to one embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 11 a    shows an approximately 0.9 substantially transparent PC housing  1118 . Substantially transparent hard film or glass  1188  and blackmask  1190  (in limited areas) can be inserted into the mold when the housing  1118  is being injection-molded to provide a hard surface and hiding properties (where the blackmask is placed). Bonded to housing  1118  using 0.100 substantially transparent PSA  1108  can be a stack-up in which the column traces and row traces can be formed on opposite sides of a single substrate. Substantially transparent glass subassembly  1176  can have a stackup of layers that can include, in order from top to bottom, substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (15 ohm max, with 0.3 lines and 0.030 spaces) formed as columns, substantially transparent 0.5 borosilicate or aluminum silicate glass, and substantially transparent conductive material such as patterned ITO (75 ohm max, with 5.0 lines and 0.050 spaces) formed as rows. The two layers of patterned substantially transparent conductive material can be of the same or different composition. Note that the patterned ITO layers are symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 11 a    as dashed lines representing patterning  1178  and  1180 . 
     FPCs can be bonded using 0.125 thick (max) ACF to the columns and rows on either side of glass subassembly  1176 . Substantially transparent PSA  1114  of 0.100 thickness can be used to bond glass subassembly  1176  to LCD module  1110 , which can include polarizer layer  1115  and liquid crystals  1117 . 
       FIG. 11 b    is similar to  FIG. 11 a   , except that hard film or glass and blackmask are not formed in the housing  1118 . 
       FIG. 11 c    is similar to  FIG. 1 b   , except that glass subassembly  1176  is not fully laminated to LCD module  1110 . Instead, air gap  1120  can be formed between them, and a ring of Poron  1122  can be formed around the perimeter of glass subassembly  1176 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of an exemplary FPC stackup according to one embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 12  shows an FPC stackup for the thin wings or strips on the FPCs that can include release liner  1210 , 0.025 ACF and PSA  1208 , 0.012 via plating  1206 , 0.018 copper  1204 , 0.012 adhesive for the copper  1202 , 0.025 polyamide substrate  1212 , 0.012 adhesive for the copper  1202 , 0.018 copper  1204 , 0.012 via plating  1206 , 0.025 ACF and PSA  1208 , and release liner  1210 . 
       FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b    illustrate top views of an exemplary FPC design according to one embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 13 a    shows an ACF-side view of the FPC that connects to the drive rows, including ACF pads  1306  at which the FPC can be bonded to the glass substrate using ACF  1302  that can be 0.5 wide and 0.025 thick. However, traces  1304  having 0.100 widths and 0.100 spacing can be bonded to the glass substrate using insulating PSA  1308  that can be 1.3 wide and 0.025 thick.  FIG. 13 b    shows the non-ACF-side top view of the FPC traces that can connect to the drive rows, including traces  1304  that can be covered by insulating PSA  1308 , 0.018 thick. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates top views of exemplary FPC designs for connecting to the rows and columns of the sensor panel according to one embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 14  shows detail of drive FPC  1402  and sense FPC  1400 , including drive flex tail  1404  and zero insertion force (ZIF) connector  1406 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of an exemplary FPC stackup according to one embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 15  shows FPC drive layer stackup  1500  for the thin wings or strips on the FPCs that can include 0.012 coverlay  1514 , 0.012 adhesive  1502 , 0.025 ACP  1508 , 0.012 via plating  1506 , 0.018 copper  1504 , 0.012 adhesive for the copper  1502 , 0.025 polyamide substrate  1512 , 0.012 adhesive for the copper  1502 , 0.018 copper  1504 , 0.012 via plating  1506 , 0.012 adhesive  1502 , and 0.012 coverlay  1514 . 
       FIGS. 16 a -16 c    illustrate top views of an exemplary FPC design according to one embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 16 a    shows a non-ACF-side view  1600  of the FPC that can connect to the drive rows, including ACF pads  1606  having ACP of 0.025 thickness at which the FPC can be bonded to the glass substrate. However, traces  1610  having 0.075 widths and 0.075 spacing can be bonded to the glass substrate using insulating PSA  1612  that can be 0.025 thick.  FIG. 16 b    shows the ACF-side top view  1618  of the FPC traces that can connect to the drive rows, including traces  1604  that can have 0.075 widths and 0.075 spacing, covered by insulating PSA  1608 , 0.025 thick.  FIG. 16 c    shows ITO pattern registration  1620  with visual alignment mark  1614  separating ITO row patterns  1616 . 
       FIG. 17 a    illustrates an exemplary partially fabricated cover for a touch screen sensor panel according to one embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 17 a    shows plastic top housing  1700  (e.g., injection molded polycarbonate or acrylic of 0.80 thickness) for an individual part with a corner, with hard coat/anti-glare coating  1704  that can be formed on top and black mask  1706  that can be selectively applied to the inside of housing  1702 . 
       FIG. 17 b    illustrates an exemplary top PET film according to one embodiment of this invention. First, ITO  1712  (e.g., having a resistivity of 40 to 500 ohms per square) can be sputtered onto PET film  1710  (e.g. PET or polymer having a dielectric constant of 3 to 4 and a thickness of about 25 to 75 microns) and patterned (e.g. into 100 micron lines and spaces) using standard photolithography and etching techniques, or laser oblation. Next, a layer of metal (silkscreened silver ink)  1714  (e.g., silver ink having a resistivity of 1 ohm per square max) can be applied over the ITO and patterned (e.g. into 200 micron lines and spaces). A protective sheet of black carbon  1716  (e.g. having 0.25 lines and spaces) can then be printed over the silver ink traces to serve as a protective coating for connector contacts. A tail coverlay  1718  (e.g., PET having a thickness of 25 to 75 microns) can then be formed over the silver ink traces for protection. A sheet of PSA  1720  (e.g., having a thickness of 25 microns) and a sacrificial liner can then be formed over the PET film and ITO. A bottom PET film can be formed using the same process. 
       FIG. 17 c    illustrates an exemplary touch screen sensor panel stackup with columns and rows that can be formed on two separate top and bottom PET films  1708  and  1724  according to one embodiment of this invention. Optically clear adhesive  1726  can be used to bond the top and bottom PET films between a cover  1700  and an LCD module that can include LCD polarizer  1728 , LCD top glass  1730 , and LCD bottom glass  1732 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates exemplary computing system  1800  operable with the touchscreen stackups described above according to embodiments of this invention. Touchscreen  1842 , which can include sensor panel  1824  and display device  1840 , can be connected to other components in computing system  1800  through connectors integrally formed on the sensor panel, or using flex circuits. Computing system  1800  can include one or more panel processors  1802  and peripherals  1804 , and panel subsystem  1806 . The one or more processors  1802  can include, for example, ARM968 processors or other processors with similar functionality and capabilities. However, in other embodiments, the panel processor functionality can be implemented instead by dedicated logic such as a state machine. Peripherals  1804  can include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) or other types of memory or storage, watchdog timers and the like. 
     Panel subsystem  1806  can include, but is not limited to, one or more analog channels  1808 , channel scan logic  1810  and driver logic  1814 . Channel scan logic  1810  can access RAM  1812 , autonomously read data from the analog channels and provide control for the analog channels. This control can include multiplexing columns of multi-touch panel  1824  to analog channels  1808 . In addition, channel scan logic  1810  can control the driver logic and stimulation signals being selectively applied to rows of multi-touch panel  1824 . In some embodiments, panel subsystem  1806 , panel processor  1802  and peripherals  1804  can be integrated into a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). 
     Driver logic  1814  can provide multiple panel subsystem outputs  1816  and can present a proprietary interface that drives high voltage driver  1818 . High voltage driver  1818  can provide level shifting from a low voltage level (e.g. complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) levels) to a higher voltage level, providing a better signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio for noise reduction purposes. Panel subsystem outputs  1816  can be sent to decoder  1820  and level shifter/driver  1838 , which can selectively connect one or more high voltage driver outputs to one or more panel row inputs  1822  through a proprietary interface and enable the use of fewer high voltage driver circuits in the high voltage driver  1818 . Each panel row input  1822  can drive one or more rows in a multi-touch panel  1824 . In some embodiments, high voltage driver  1818  and decoder  1820  can be integrated into a single ASIC. However, in other embodiments high voltage driver  1818  and decoder  1820  can be integrated into driver logic  1814 , and in still other embodiments high voltage driver  1818  and decoder  1820  can be eliminated entirely. 
     Computing system  1800  can also include host processor  1828  for receiving outputs from panel processor  1802  and performing actions based on the outputs that can include, but are not limited to, moving an object such as a cursor or pointer, scrolling or panning, adjusting control settings, opening a file or document, viewing a menu, making a selection, executing instructions, operating a peripheral device connected to the host device, answering a telephone call, placing a telephone call, terminating a telephone call, changing the volume or audio settings, storing information related to telephone communications such as addresses, frequently dialed numbers, received calls, missed calls, logging onto a computer or a computer network, permitting authorized individuals access to restricted areas of the computer or computer network, loading a user profile associated with a user&#39;s preferred arrangement of the computer desktop, permitting access to web content, launching a particular program, encrypting or decoding a message, and/or the like. Host processor  1828  can also perform additional functions that may not be related to panel processing, and can be coupled to program storage  1832  and display device  1840  such as an LCD for providing a user interface (UI) to a user of the device. 
     As mentioned above, multi-touch panel  1824  can in some embodiments include a capacitive sensing medium that can have a plurality of row traces or driving lines and a plurality of column traces or sensing lines separated by a dielectric. In some embodiments, the dielectric material can be transparent, such as PET or glass. The row and column traces can be formed from a transparent conductive medium such as ITO or antimony tin oxide (ATO), although other non-transparent materials such as copper can also be used. In some embodiments, the row and column traces can be perpendicular to each other, although in other embodiments other non-orthogonal orientations are possible. For example, in a polar coordinate system, the sensing lines can be concentric circles and the driving lines can be radially extending lines (or vice versa). It should be understood, therefore, that the terms “row” and “column,” “first dimension” and “second dimension,” or “first axis” and “second axis” as may be used herein are intended to encompass not only orthogonal grids, but the intersecting traces of other geometric configurations having first and second dimensions (e.g. the concentric and radial lines of a polar-coordinate arrangement). 
     At the “intersections” of the traces, where the traces can pass above and below each other (but do not make direct electrical contact with each other), the traces can essentially form two electrodes. Each intersection of row and column traces can represent a capacitive sensing node and can be viewed as picture element (pixel)  1826 , which can be particularly useful when multi-touch panel  1824  is viewed as capturing an “image” of touch. (In other words, after panel subsystem  1806  has determined whether a touch event has been detected at each touch sensor in multi-touch panel  1824 , the pattern of touch sensors in the multi-touch panel at which a touch event occurred can be viewed as an “image” of touch (e.g. a pattern of fingers touching the panel).) When the two electrodes are at different potentials, each pixel can have an inherent self or mutual capacitance formed between the row and column electrodes of the pixel. If an AC signal is applied to one of the electrodes, such as by exciting the row electrode with an AC voltage at a particular frequency, an electric field and an AC or signal capacitance can be formed between the electrodes, referred to as Csig. The presence of a finger or other object near or on multi-touch panel  1824  can be detected by measuring changes to Csig. The columns of multi-touch panel  1824  can drive one or more analog channels  1808  in panel subsystem  1806 . In some embodiments, each column can be coupled to one dedicated analog channel  1808 . However, in other embodiments, the columns can be couplable via an analog switch to a fewer number of analog channels  1808 . 
     The touchscreen stackups described above can be advantageously used in the system of  FIG. 18  to provide a space-efficient touch sensor panel and UI. 
       FIG. 19 a    illustrates exemplary mobile telephone  1936  that can include the touchscreen stackups and computing system described above according to embodiments of the invention. PSA  1934  can be used to bond sensor panel  1924  to display device (e.g. LCD module)  1930 .  FIG. 19 b    illustrates exemplary digital audio/video player  1940  that can include the touchscreen stackups and computing system described above according to embodiments of the invention. The mobile telephone and digital audio/video player of  FIGS. 19 a  and 19 b    can advantageously benefit from the touchscreen stackups described above because the touchscreen stackups can allow these devices to be smaller and less expensive, which are important consumer factors that can have a significant effect on consumer desirability and commercial success. 
     Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20070613
Publication Date: 20170718
Grant Date: 20170718
Priority Date: 20070105
Inventors: HOTELLING STEVE PORTER
LAND BRIAN RICHARDS
HAMBLIN MARK ARTHUR
TAN TANG YEW
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2307/412", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04104", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2307/202", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133308", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/13338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B7/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2367/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2457/208", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04111", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04104", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133345", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133528", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2202/28", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0412", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B37/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04111", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133345", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B7/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2307/202", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2367/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": 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Family ID: 39593865