PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9971459-B2
Application Number: US-201414169287-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Touch sensitive module with integrated sensor and artwork

Abstract:
A touch sensor panel including artwork formed on the touch sensor panel is disclosed. The touch sensor panel stackup can include a substrate, one or more underlying layers, one or more patterned transparent conductive layers, a passivation layer, artwork, and an adhesive layer. The artwork on the touch sensor panel can be formed by aligning to the touch sensor pattern or alignment marks. In some examples, the artwork can be formed on a discrete touch sensor panel, and the discrete touch sensor panel can be bonded to a cover glass or cover material. In some examples, the touch sensor panel can be a Dual-sided Indium Tin Oxide (DITO) stackup. In some examples, the drive lines and the sense lines of the touch sensor panel can be formed on separate substrates, and the substrates can be bonded together using an adhesive.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A touch sensor panel comprising:
 a plurality of first lines of a first conductive material located on a first substrate in a visible area and a border area of the touch sensor panel; 
 a second conductive material electrically connected to the plurality of first lines to create one or more traces for off-panel connections and disposed directly on the plurality of first lines in the border area; and 
 an opaque layer located at least partially in the border area and directly contacting the first substrate on a first side of the opaque layer and an adhesive on a second side of the opaque layer, opposite the first side; and 
 a passivation layer located on the first substrate in the border area and the visible area, the passivation layer being separate and distinct from the opaque layer, 
 wherein the opaque layer is a conductive ink. 
 
     
     
       2. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of second lines of a third conductive material. 
 
     
     
       3. The touch sensor panel of  claim 2 , wherein the first conductive material is the same as at least one of the second conductive material and the third conductive material. 
     
     
       4. The touch sensor panel of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of first lines are supported on the first substrate and the plurality of second lines are supported on a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is separate and distinct from the first substrate. 
     
     
       5. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the opaque layer is a black mask. 
     
     
       6. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover material, wherein the adhesive is located between the cover material and the opaque layer. 
 
     
     
       7. A method for forming a touch sensor panel comprising:
 forming a plurality of first lines of a first conductive material located on a first substrate in a visible area and a border area of the touch sensor panel; 
 forming a second conductive material electrically connected to the plurality of first lines to create one or more traces for off-panel connections and disposed directly on the plurality of first lines in the border area; and 
 forming an opaque layer located at least partially in the border area, wherein the first substrate directly contacts on a first side of the opaque layer and an adhesive directly contacts a second side, opposite the first side, of the opaque layer; and 
 forming a passivation layer located on the first substrate in the border area and the visible area, the passivation layer being separate and distinct from the opaque layer, 
 wherein the opaque layer is a conductive ink. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 forming a plurality of second lines of a third conductive material. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first conductive material is the same as at least one of the second conductive material and the third conductive material. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first lines are supported on the first substrate and the plurality of second lines are supported on a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is separate and distinct from the first substrate. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the opaque layer is a black mask. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7 , the adhesive is located between a cover material and the opaque layer. 
     
     
       13. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first lines and the passivation layer are located on a first side of the first substrate, and further wherein the passivation layer surround the plurality of first lines and the second conductive material. 
     
     
       14. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the opaque layer is located exclusively in the border area of the touch sensor panel. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of first lines and the passivation layer are formed on a first side of the first substrate in the border area and the visible area of the touch sensor panel, and wherein the passivation layer surrounds the plurality of first lines and the second conductive material. 
     
     
       16. A touch sensor panel comprising:
 a plurality of first lines of a first conductive material located on a first substrate in a visible area and a border area of the touch sensor panel; 
 a second conductive material electrically connected to the plurality of first lines to create one or more traces for off-panel connections and disposed directly on the plurality of first lines in the border area; and 
 a conductive opaque layer at least partially in the border area and contacting the first substrate on a first side of the opaque layer and an adhesive on a second side of the opaque layer, opposite the first side; and 
 a passivation layer located on the first substrate in the border area and the visible area, the passivation layer being separate and distinct from the opaque layer, 
 wherein the conductive opaque layer is a conductive ink.

Description:
FIELD 
     This relates generally to touch sensor devices, and in particular, to touch sensor panels with integrated sensor and artwork. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many types of input devices are presently available for performing operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, touch sensor panels, joysticks, touch screens, and the like. Touch sensitive devices, in particular, have become popular as input devices to computing systems due to their ease and versatility of operation as well as their declining price. Touch sensitive devices can include a touch sensor panel, which can be a clear panel with a touch sensitive surface. The touch sensor panel can be positioned in front of a display screen so that the touch-sensitive surface covers the viewable area of the display screen, and a cover glass or cover material can be positioned in front of the touch sensor panel for protection. The touch sensitive device can allow a user to perform various functions by touching the cover glass or cover material using a finger, stylus or other object. In general, the touch sensitive device can recognize a touch event and the position of the touch event on the touch sensor panel. A computing system can interpret the touch event, in accordance with the display screen appearing at the time of the touch event, and thereafter can perform one or more actions based on the touch event. 
     Touch sensor panels can be implemented as an array of pixels formed discretely on a transparent substrate, where multiple drive lines (e.g. rows) cross over and are separated from multiple sense lines (e.g. columns) separated by a dielectric material and/or one or more transparent substrates. Alternatively, to achieve thinner touch sensitive devices, the drive and/or sense lines can be formed on the back of a cover glass or cover material. The drive lines and sense lines can be routed to a flex circuit in border areas of the touch sensor panel, and artwork can be disposed on the cover glass or cover material in the border areas to prevent the routing traces from being seen by the user. However, disposing the artwork on the cover glass or cover material can lead to poor registration accuracy due to the alignment of the artwork to the cover glass or cover material edge, long manufacturing times due to the slow, piece-to-piece process, and possible degradation of layers in the touch sensor panel stackup. 
     SUMMARY 
     This relates to a touch sensor panel including artwork formed on the touch sensor panel. By forming the artwork on the touch sensor panel and aligning to the touch sensor pattern or alignment marks, the registration accuracy and the quality of the layers in the touch sensor panel stackup can be improved, and the manufacturing times can be decreased. In some examples, the artwork can be formed on a discrete touch sensor panel, and the discrete touch sensor panel can be bonded to a cover glass or cover material. In some examples, the touch sensor panel can be a Dual-sided Indium Tin Oxide (DITO) stackup. In some examples, the drive lines and the sense lines of the touch sensor panel can be formed on separate substrates, and the substrates can be bonded together using an adhesive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary substantially transparent touch sensor panel having co-planar single-layer touch sensors fabricated on a single side of a substrate according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup of a touch sensor panel formed discretely and bonded to a cover glass or cover material according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary process for manufacturing a touch sensitive device according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup of a touch sensor panel formed on the back of a cover glass or cover material according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary process for manufacturing the touch sensitive device according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup of a touch sensitive device with artwork formed on the touch sensor panel according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary process for manufacturing the touch sensitive device according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate an exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup of a touch sensitive device with artwork formed on a touch sensor panel according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary computing system that can utilize a touch controller according to various examples of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate an exemplary mobile telephone, exemplary media player, and exemplary personal computer that can include a touch sensor panel and a display device according to examples of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which it is shown by way of illustration specific examples that can be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the various examples. 
     Although some examples of the disclosure are described herein in terms of mutual capacitance multi-touch sensor panels, it should be understood that examples of the disclosure are not so limited, but can be additionally applicable to self-capacitance sensor panels and single-touch sensor panels. Furthermore, although the touch sensors in the touch sensor panel may be described herein in terms of an orthogonal array of touch sensors having rows and columns, examples of the disclosure are not limited to orthogonal arrays, but can be generally applicable to touch sensors arranged in any number of dimensions and orientations, including diagonal, concentric circle, three-dimensional, and random orientations. 
     Additionally, although some examples of the disclosure may be described herein in terms of substantially transparent touch sensor panels, in other examples the touch sensor panel can be opaque. Although the touch sensors may be described herein as being formed as a co-planar single-layer on a substrate or cover glass, in other examples the touch sensors can be formed from non-coplanar layers on a single substrate or cover glass, and the cover glass can be formed of substrate materials other than glass, such as plastic, for example. In some examples, the touch sensors are formed using thin-film processing techniques, but other processing techniques can also be used. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary substantially transparent touch sensor panel  100  having co-planar single-layer touch sensors fabricated on a single side of a substrate according to examples of the disclosure. In the example of  FIG. 1 , a touch sensor panel  100  having eight columns (labeled a through h and six rows (labeled  1  through  6 ) is shown, although it should be understood that any number of columns and rows can be employed. Columns a through h can generally be columnar in shape, although in the example of  FIG. 1 , one side of each column includes staggered edges and notches designed to create separate sections in each column. Each of rows  1 - 6  can be formed from a plurality of distinct patches or pads in the visible area  122 , each patch including a trace of the same material as the patch and routed using metal lines  116  to the border area  120  of the touch sensor panel  100  for enabling all patches in a particular row to be connected through metal traces or routing traces  96  running in the border areas  120 . These routing traces  106  can be routed to a small area on one side of the touch sensor panel  100  and connected to a flex circuit  102 . In  FIG. 1 , for example, the patches for rows  1 - 3  between columns a and b are arranged in an inverted pyramid configuration, while the patches for rows  4 - 6  between columns a and b are arranged in an upright pyramid configuration. 
     The column and rows of  FIG. 1  can be formed in a co-planar single layer of conductive material. In some examples, the conductive material can be a substantially transparent material, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), although other materials can be used. The ITO layer can be formed either on the back of a cover glass or on the top of a separate substrate. Although ITO may be referred to herein for purposes of simplifying the disclosure, it should be understood that other conductive materials can also be used according to examples of the disclosure. 
     If touch sensor panel  100  is operated as a mutual capacitance touch sensor panel, either the columns a-h or the rows  1 - 6  can be driven with one or more stimulation signals, and fringing electric fields can form between adjacent column areas and row patches. In  FIG. 1 , it should be understood that although only electric field lines  112  between column a and row patch  1  (a- 1 ) are shown for purposes of illustration, electric field lines can be formed between other adjacent column and row patches (e.g. a- 2 , b- 4 , g- 5 , etc.) depending on what columns or rows are being stimulated. Thus, it should be understood that each column-row patch pair (e.g. a- 1 , a- 2 , b- 4 , g- 5 , etc.) can represent a two-electrode pixel or sensor at which charge can be coupled onto the sense electrode from the drive electrode. When a finger or object touches down over one of these pixels, some of the fringing electric field lines that extend beyond the cover of the touch sensor panel are blocked by the finger, reducing the amount of charge coupled onto the sense electrode. This reduction in the amount of coupled charge can be detected as part of determining a resultant “image” of touch. It should be noted that in mutual capacitance touch sensor panel designs as shown in  FIG. 1 , no separate reference ground is needed, so no second layer on the back side of the substrate or on a separate substrate is needed. 
     In some examples, the touch sensor panel  100  can be operated as a self-capacitance touch sensor panel. A reference ground plane can optionally be formed on the back side of the substrate or on a separate substrate. In a self-capacitance touch sensor panel, each pixel or sensor has a self-capacitance to a reference ground that can be changed due to the presence of a finger. In self-capacitance examples, the self-capacitance of columns a-h can be sensed independently, and the self-capacitance of rows  1 - 6  can also be sensed independently. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup  200  of a touch sensor panel formed discretely and bonded to a cover glass according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary process  300  for manufacturing the touch sensitive device according to examples of the disclosure. The stackup can include a touch sensor panel  210  formed on a substrate  212 . At step  302 , substrate  212  made of any substrate material, such as plastic, glass or quartz, can be provided. At step  304 , a layer of transparent conductive film (TCF)  214  can be deposited on the substrate  212 . Example TCF materials can include, but are not limited to, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Aluminum Zinc Oxide (ACO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), Zinc-doped Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITZO), Silver nanowires (AgNW), Silver Chloride (AgCl), Graphene and Carbon nanotubes (CNT). Any number of deposition techniques can be employed including chemical vapor deposition, such as plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), such as sputtering or evaporation, or wet deposition, such as blade, spray, or aerosol deposition. At step  306 , metal layer  216  can be deposited using any number of techniques, including blanket deposition, screen printing, and inkjet printing. At step  308 , TCF layer  214  and/or metal layer  216  can be patterned by methods, such as photolithography and etching or laser patterning, to form the touch sensors in the visible area  222  of the touch sensor panel and routing traces in the border area  220 . At step  310 , the metal layer  216  in the visible area  222  can be removed. At step  312 , a passivation layer  218  can, optionally, be applied to the patterned sensor for protection. The passivation layer  218  can be deposited using wet processing techniques, such as blade, spray, or inkjet printing, or roll-coated using a die-cut film. In some examples, the passivation layer  218  may be photoimageable, in which case an expose and development step may be required. The touch sensitive device  200  can also include a cover glass  230  that can be provided, in step  320 , as part of a housing. Cover glass  230  can be transparent, scratch-resistant, and chemically strengthened using any number of techniques, such as a glass ion exchange bath. At step  322 , artwork  232 , which can be formed of opaque material such as a color-decoration or a black mask, can be formed on the cover glass  230  to hide routing traces from being visible to the user. The artwork  232  can be formed by aligning to the edge  231  of the cover glass  230  and screen printed using an ink suitable for the artwork  232 . The thickness and colors of the artwork  232  can vary depending on the aesthetic requirements. At step  324 , the artwork  232  can be thermally cured. At step  330 , the touch sensor panel  210  can be bonded to cover glass  230  and artwork  232  using an adhesive  234 , such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or an optically clear adhesive (OCA). At step  332 , the adhesive  234  can be cured using either a thermal source or a UV source. In some examples, the touch sensor panel  210  can be rolled on or pressed on, followed by an autoclave process to eliminate any unwanted bubbles. In some examples, one or more underlying layers, such as an index matching layer or a hard coating layer, can be deposited between the TCF layer and the substrate or on top of the TCF layer. 
     To reduce the number of layers in the stackup, thereby producing a thinner touch sensitive device, the touch sensor panel can be formed on the back of the cover glass.  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup  400  of a touch sensor panel  410  formed on the back of a cover glass (BOC) according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary process  500  for manufacturing the touch sensitive device according to examples of the disclosure. At step  502 , a cover glass  430  can be provided. The cover glass  430  can be transparent, scratch-resistant, and chemically strengthened using any number of techniques, such as a glass ion exchange bath. At step  504 , artwork  432  can be formed by aligning to the edge  431  of the cover glass  430  and screen printed using an ink suitable for the artwork  432 . The thickness and colors of the artwork  432  can vary depending on the aesthetic requirements. Artwork  432  can be inorganic or organic, provided that the artwork is a good insulator to avoid shorting the metal lines and can block light from passing through. At step  506 , the artwork  432  can be thermally cured. At step  508 , TCF layer  414  can be deposited by any number of deposition techniques, such as chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, wet deposition, or aerosol deposition. At step  510 , metal layer  416  can be deposited by either blanket deposition, screen printing, inkjet printing, or the like. At step  512 , TCF layer  414  and/or metal layer  416  can patterned by photolithography and etching or laser patterning, to form the touch sensors in the visible area  422  and routing traces in the border area  420 . At step  514 , the metal layer  416  in the visible area  422  can be removed. At step  516 , a passivation layer  418  can, optionally, be deposited on the patterned sensor to protect the TCF and metal layers from corrosion. Techniques for deposition of the passivation layer can include blade, spray, or inkjet printing; alternatively, the passivation layer can be roll-coated using a die cut film. 
     While the BOC stackup, as exemplified in  FIG. 4 , can be formed with fewer number of layers and processing steps compared to the discrete sensor stackup as exemplified in  FIG. 2 , both processes can still be time consuming, requiring a piece-to-piece process with curing steps in between deposition or printing steps. Additionally, alignment of the artwork can be based on the edge of the cover glass, which can lead to poor registration accuracy. Furthermore, the quality of one or more layers in either stackup can be compromised. To achieve a high quality TCF layer, a high deposition temperature may be required. However for the BOC process, the high temperature deposition process can lead to degradation to the underlying artwork or can limit the number of compatible artwork inks. Additionally, the chemicals used for patterning the TCF layer and/or metal layer can be strongly acid or alkali. The chemicals can damage the artwork and/or cover glass and can limit the number of compatible artwork inks. If the TCF layer and/or metal layer is patterned using laser ablation, the artwork and/or cover glass can undergo damage from the laser. Moreover for the BOC process, the artwork step region can lead to a break in the TCF continuity at the location of the step region  490 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup of a touch sensitive device with artwork formed on the touch sensor panel according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary process  700  for manufacturing the touch sensitive device according to examples of the disclosure. At step  702 , substrate  612  made of any substrate material, such as plastic, glass or quartz, can be provided. At steps  704  and  706 , a TCF layer  614  can be deposited on substrate  612 , and metal layer  616  can be deposited on TCF layer  614 . At step  708 , the TCF layer  614  and/or metal layer  616  can be patterned to form the touch sensors in the visible area  622  and routing traces in the border area  620 . At step  710 , the metal layer  616  in the visible area  622  can be removed. At step  712 , a passivation layer  618  can, optionally, be deposited on the TCF layer  614  and metal layer  616 . At step  714 , substrate  612  can be flipped over, artwork  632  can be aligned, and then artwork  632  can be printed. At step  716 , an adhesive  634  can be deposited or printed. At step  718 , a cover glass  630  can be bonded or laminated to the touch sensor panel  610 . At step  720 , the artwork  632  and adhesive  634  can be cured using either a thermal source or a UV source. 
     By forming the artwork on the touch sensor panel instead of on the back of the cover glass, the quality of some of the layers in the stackup of the touch sensitive device can be retained without compromising the quality of the other layers. High temperature deposition of the TCF layer for high quality drive and sense lines can be performed without compromising the quality of the artwork, since the artwork can be formed after the touch sensors are deposited and patterned. The high temperature depositions can allow for a wider range of TCF materials, such as higher conductivity transparent conductive oxides. Damage to the artwork and/or cover glass from the chemicals or the laser source during the patterning of the TCF layers and/or metal layers can be avoided. Additionally, a wider range of artwork inks and TCF materials can be used in the stackup. Due to the elimination or reduction of the step coverage issue, thicker artwork inks can be used, and metallic/conductive inks can be more easily tolerated. Moreover, forming the artwork on the touch sensor panel instead of on the back of the cover glass can allow for a more accurate alignment of the artwork. The artwork can be aligned to the touch sensor pattern or alignment marks located on one or more layers of the stackup, which can improve the quality of the edges of the artwork. The more accurate alignment can also lead to less required overlap or thinner artwork to hide the routing traces, resulting in a larger visible area. 
     The stackup of  FIG. 6  can be fabricated with minimal changes in the manufacturing process. Printing of the artwork on the touch sensor panel can be achieved using similar processing lines for photolithography. In some examples, the entire or most of the layers in the stackup can be fabricated in one manufacturing line using a roll-to-roll or sheet-to-sheet process. Fabrication in one manufacturing line can lead to higher productivity and faster manufacturing times. Additionally, printing of the artwork on the touch sensor panel can be compatible with mother sheet processing of the cover glass. The mother sheet can be singulated or cut into separate sheets after the touch sensor panels are laminated or bonded to the cover glass. 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate an exemplary cross-sectional view of a partial stackup  800  of a touch sensitive device with artwork formed on a touch sensor panel according to examples of the disclosure. The DITO stackup can be formed with drive lines  814  and metal layer  816  deposited on one side of the substrate to form the routing traces for the drives lines. Sense lines  854  and a metal layer (not shown) can be deposited on the other side of the substrate to form the sense lines and routing traces for the sense lines. Passivation layers  818  can optionally be deposited on one or both sides. Artwork  832  can be formed on the touch sensor. In some examples, the artwork  832  can be in direct contact with the metal layer  816  and/or drive lines  814 . An adhesive  834  can be deposited to bond the cover glass  830  to the touch sensor panel.  FIG. 8B  illustrates a partial stackup with drive lines  814  formed on one substrate  822  and sense lines  854  formed on a second substrate  824 . The two substrates  822  and  824  are bonded together using an adhesive  840 . In some examples, the deposition and patterning of the layers on substrate  822  can occur at the same time as the deposition and patterning of the layers on substrate  824 . While  FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate drive lines  814  disposed closer to the cover glass than the sense lines  812 , examples of the disclosure include stackups with sense lines disposed closer to the cover glass than the drive lines. Passivation layer  818  can be deposited. Artwork  832  can be aligned to the touch sensor pattern or alignment marks located on one or more layers of the stackup. Substrates  822  and  824  can be bonded together using adhesive  844 . Adhesive  834  can be deposited and cover glass  830  can be bonded to the touch sensor panel  810 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates exemplary computing system  900  that can utilize the stackups discussed above according to various examples of the disclosure. Touch controller  906  can be a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that can include one or more processor subsystems  902 , which can include, for example, one or more main processors, such as ARM968 processors or other processors with similar functionality and capabilities. However, in other examples, some of the processor functionality can be implemented instead by dedicated logic, such as a state machine. Processor subsystems  902  can also include, for example, peripherals such as random access memory (RAM)  912  or other types of memory or storage, watchdog timers (not shown), and the like. Touch controller  906  can also include, for example, receive section  907  for receiving signals, such as touch sense signals  903 , from the sense lines of touch sensor panel  924 , and other signals from other sensors such as sensor  911 , etc. Touch controller  906  can also include, for example, a demodulation section such as multistage vector demod engine  909 , panel scan logic  910 , and a drive system including, for example, transmit section  914 . Panel scan logic  910  can access RAM  912 , autonomously read data from the sense channels, and provide control for the sense channels. In addition, panel scan logic  910  can control transmit section  914  to generate stimulation signals  916  at various frequencies and phases that can be selectively applied to the drive lines of the touch sensor panel  924 . 
     Charge pump  915  can be used to generate the supply voltage for the transmit section. Stimulation signals  916  (Vstim) can have amplitudes higher than the maximum voltage the ASIC process can tolerate by cascading transistors. Therefore, using charge pump  915 , the stimulus voltage can be higher (e.g. 6V) than the voltage level a single transistor can handle (e.g. 3.6 V). Although  FIG. 9  shows charge pump  915  separate from transmit section  914 , the charge pump can be part of the transmit section. 
     Touch sensor panel  924  can be formed from the stackups discussed above, and can include a capacitive sensing medium having a plurality of drive lines and a plurality of sense lines. The drive and sense lines can be formed from a transparent conductive medium such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) or Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO), although other transparent and non-transparent materials such as copper can also be used. In some examples, the drive and sense lines can be perpendicular to each other, although in other examples other non-Cartesian 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 “drive lines” and “sense lines” as used herein are intended to encompass not only orthogonal grids, but the intersecting traces or other geometric configurations having first and second dimensions (e.g. the concentric and radial lines of a polar-coordinate arrangement). The drive and sense lines can be formed on, for example, a single side of a substantially transparent substrate. 
     At the “intersections” of the traces, where the drive and sense lines can pass adjacent to and above and below (cross) each other (but without making direct electrical contact with each other), the drive and sense lines can essentially form two electrodes (although more than two traces could intersect as well). Each intersection of drive and sense lines can represent a capacitive sensing node and can be viewed as pixel or node  926 , which can be particularly useful when touch sensor panel  924  is viewed as capturing an “image” of touch. (In other words, after touch controller  906  has determined whether a touch event has been detected at each touch sensor in the touch sensor panel, 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.) The capacitance between drive and sense electrodes can appear as a stray capacitance when the given row is held at direct current (DC) voltage levels and as a mutual signal capacitance Csig when the given row is stimulated with an alternating current (AC) signal. The presence of a finger or other object near or on the touch sensor panel can be detected by measuring changes to a signal charge Qsig present at the pixels being touched, which is a function of Csig. 
     Computing system  900  can also include host processor  928  for receiving outputs from processor subsystems  902  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, 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  928  can perform additional functions that may not be related to panel processing, and can be coupled to program storage  932  and display  930 , such as an LCD display, for providing a user interface to a user of the device. In some examples, host processor  928  can be a separate component for touch controller  906 , as shown. In other examples, host processor  928  can be included as part of touch controller  906 . In other examples, the functions of host processor  928  can be performed by processor subsystem  902  and/or distributed among other components of touch controller  906 . Display device  930  together with touch sensor panel  924 , when located partially or entirely under the touch sensor panel, can form touch screen  918 . 
     Note that one or more of the functions described above can be performed, for example, by firmware stored in memory (e.g. one of the peripherals) and executed by processor subsystem  902 , or stored in program storage  932  and executed by host processor  928 . The firmware can also be stored and/or transported within any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (excluding signals) for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” can be any medium (excluding a signal) that can contain or store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (magnetic), a read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) (magnetic), a portable optical disc such as a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, or DVD-RW, or flash memory such as compact flash cards, secured digital cards, USB memory devices, memory sticks and the like. 
     The firmware can also be propagated within any transport medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “transport medium” can be any medium that can communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The transport readable medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or infrared wired or wireless propagation medium. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone  1036  that can include touch sensor panel  1024  and display  1030 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates exemplary media player  1040  that can include touch sensor panel  1024  and display  1030 .  FIG. 10C  illustrates an exemplary personal computer  1044  that can include touch sensor panel (trackpad)  1024  and display  1030 . The touch sensor panels  1024  in  FIGS. 10A-10C  can include one or more touch sensor panels with integrated artwork according to examples of the disclosure. In some examples, the display  1030  can be part of a touch screen. 
     In some examples, a touch sensor panel is disclosed. The touch sensor panel may comprise: a plurality of first lines of a first conductive material disposed on a first substrate; a second conductive material electrically connected to the plurality of first lines to create one or more traces for off-panel connections; and an opaque first layer disposed at least partially on the second conductive material. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the touch sensor panel, further comprises: a passivation layer disposed on the first substrate. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the passivation layer is distinct from the first layer. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the touch sensor panel, further comprises: a plurality of second lines of a third conductive material. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the first conductive material is the same as at least one of the second conductive material and the third conductive material. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the plurality of first lines are supported on the first substrate and the plurality of second lines are supported on a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is different from the first substrate. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the first layer is a black mask. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the touch sensor panel, further comprises: one or more alignment marks disposed on the first substrate. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the one or more alignment marks are aligned with one or more edges of the first layer. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the touch sensor panel, further comprises: a cover material; and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is disposed between the cover material and the first layer. 
     In some examples, a method for forming a touch sensor panel is disclosed. The method may comprise: forming a plurality of first lines of a first conductive material on a first substrate; forming a second conductive material electrically connected to the plurality of first lines to one or more traces for off-panel connections; and forming an opaque first layer at least partially on the second conductive material. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the method further comprises: forming a passivation layer on the first substrate. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the passivation layer is distinct from the first layer. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the method further comprises: forming a plurality of second lines of a third conductive material. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the first conductive material is the same as at least one of the second conductive material and the third conductive material. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the plurality of first lines are supported on the first substrate and the plurality of second lines are supported on a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is different from the first substrate. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the first layer is a black mask. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the method further comprises: forming one or more alignment marks on the first substrate. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the one or more alignment marks are aligned with one or more edges of the first layer. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the method further comprises: forming an adhesive layer between a cover material and the first layer. 
     While various examples have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Although examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the various diagrams may depict an example architecture or other configuration for this disclosure, which is done to aid in the understanding of the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosure. The disclosure is not restricted to the illustrated exemplary architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the disclosure is described above in terms of various examples and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the examples are not limited in their applicability to the particular example with which they are described. They instead can be applied alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other examples of the disclosure, whether or not such examples are described, and whether or not such features are presented as being part of a described example. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described examples.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140131
Publication Date: 20180515
Grant Date: 20180515
Priority Date: 20140131
Inventors: YOUNGS, LYNN R.
KANG, SUNGGU
PEDDER, JAMES EDWARD ALEXANDER
ZHANG, HAO
ZHONG, JOHN Z.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04164", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0443", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04164", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0443", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 53754813