PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10048814-B2
Application Number: US-201514960202-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Corrosion mitigation for metal traces

Abstract:
Processes for manufacturing touch sensors with one or more guard traces to reduce the effect of moisture damage are provided. One example process can include forming one or more guard traces between an edge of the touch sensor and the metal traces that route the drive and sense lines to bond pads. The one or more guard traces can be uncoupled from the drive lines and sense lines to protect the inner metal traces from moisture damage. In some examples, ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by copper. In other examples, ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by indium tin oxide or the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by a strip of indium tin oxide. In yet other examples, the guard trace can be floating (e.g., not coupled to ground).

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A touch sensor panel comprising:
 a plurality of touch nodes, each touch node configured for forming a self-capacitance to ground; 
 one or more bond pads; 
 a plurality of routing traces that electrically couples the plurality of touch nodes to the one or more bond pads and circuitry; and 
 a trace positioned between edges of the touch sensor panel and the plurality of routing traces, the trace configured to at least one of block, absorb, and detect moisture. 
 
     
     
       2. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the trace is electrically decoupled from the plurality of touch nodes. 
     
     
       3. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the trace includes copper. 
     
     
       4. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the trace includes indium tin oxide (ITO). 
     
     
       5. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 circuitry coupled to the trace and configured to detect an open circuit. 
 
     
     
       6. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to stimulate the plurality of touch nodes or sense a capacitance from the plurality of touch nodes. 
     
     
       7. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the trace is greater or less than a width of the plurality of routing traces. 
     
     
       8. The touch sensor panel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second trace configured to at least one of block, absorb, and detect moisture. 
 
     
     
       9. A method of manufacturing a touch sensor panel, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of touch nodes, each touch node configured to form a self-capacitance to ground; 
 forming a plurality of routing traces electrically coupled to circuitry; and 
 forming and locating a trace between edges of the touch sensor panel and the plurality of routing traces, the trace configured to at least one of block, absorb, and detect moisture. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the trace is formed on a same layer as the plurality of touch nodes and the plurality of routing traces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/710,417 filed Dec. 10, 2012 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0069785), which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/699,229, filed Sep. 10, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This relates generally to touch sensors and, more specifically, to processes for manufacturing touch sensors to reduce moisture damage. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many types of input devices are presently available for performing operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks, touch sensor panels, touch screens, and the like. Touch sensitive devices, such as touch screens, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular because of their ease and versatility of operation. A touch sensitive device can include a touch sensor panel, which can be a clear panel with a touch-sensitive surface, and a display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, that can be positioned partially or fully behind the panel so that the touch-sensitive surface can cover at least a portion of the viewable area of the display device. The touch sensitive device can allow a user to perform various functions by touching the touch sensor panel using a finger, stylus, or other object at a location often dictated by a user interface (UI) being displayed by the display device. In general, the touch sensitive device can recognize a touch event and the position of the touch event on the touch sensor panel, and the computing system can then interpret the touch event in accordance with the display appearing at the time of the touch event, and thereafter can perform one or more actions based on the touch event. 
     Many processes have been developed to manufacture these touch sensors. For example, conventional roll-to-roll processes involve patterning electronic devices onto rolls of thin, flexible plastic or metal foil. These devices can then be removed from the roll using lithography or a physical cutting process. These roll-to-roll processes can reduce the amount of time and money required to manufacture touch sensors. However, conventional processes are susceptible to moisture damage. For example, moisture can propagate into the touch sensor and corrode metal traces along the edge of the device. Thus, improved touch sensor manufacturing processes are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     This relates to processes for manufacturing touch sensors with one or more guard traces to reduce the effect of moisture damage. One example process can include forming one or more guard traces between an edge of the touch sensor and the metal traces that route the drive and sense lines to bond pads. The one or more guard traces can be uncoupled from the drive lines and sense lines and can protect the inner metal traces from moisture damage. The one or more guard traces can be formed from a metal, such as copper. In some examples, the ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by copper. In other examples, the ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by indium tin oxide or the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground along a length of the one or more guard traces by a strip of indium tin oxide. In yet other examples, the guard trace can be floating (e.g., not coupled to ground). 
     Touch sensors manufactured using these processes are also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary touch sensor according to various examples. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary mother sheet containing multiple touch sensors according to various examples. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an exemplary touch sensor according to various examples. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of an exemplary touch sensor having a guard trace according to various examples. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of an exemplary touch sensor having a guard trace coupled to ground by a metal connection point according to various examples. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of an exemplary touch sensor having a guard trace coupled to ground by an indium tin oxide connection point according to various examples. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of an exemplary touch sensor having a guard trace coupled to ground by a strip of indium tin oxide according to various examples. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary process for manufacturing a touch sensor having a guard trace according to various examples. 
         FIGS. 9-16  illustrate a touch sensor at various stages of manufacture according to various examples. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary system for manufacturing a touch sensor having a guard trace according to various examples. 
         FIGS. 18-21  illustrate exemplary personal devices having a touch sensor manufactured with a guard trace according to various examples. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of the disclosure and 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 practiced and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     This relates to processes for manufacturing touch sensors with one or more guard traces to reduce the effect of moisture damage. The process can include forming one or more guard traces between an edge of the touch sensor and the metal traces that route the drive and sense lines to bond pads. The one or more guard traces can be uncoupled from the drive lines and sense lines and can protect the inner metal traces from moisture damage. The one or more guard traces can be formed from a metal, such as copper. In some examples, the ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by copper. In other examples, the ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by indium tin oxide or the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground along a length of the one or more guard traces by a strip of indium tin oxide. In yet other examples, the guard trace can be floating (e.g., not coupled to ground). Touch sensors manufactured using these processes are also disclosed. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates touch sensor  100  that can be used to detect touch events on a touch sensitive device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, touchpad, portable computer, portable media player, or the like. Touch sensor  100  can include an array of touch regions or nodes  105  that can be formed at the crossing points between rows of drive lines  101  (D 0 -D 3 ) and columns of sense lines  103  (S 0 -S 4 ). Each touch region  105  can have an associated mutual capacitance Csig  111  formed between the crossing drive lines  101  and sense lines  103  when the drive lines are stimulated. The drive lines  101  can be stimulated by stimulation signals  107  provided by drive circuitry (not shown) and can include an alternating current (AC) waveform. The sense lines  103  can transmit touch signals  109  indicative of a touch at the touch sensor  100  to sense circuitry (not shown), which can include a sense amplifier for each sense line, or a fewer number of sense amplifiers that can be multiplexed to connect to a larger number of sense lines. 
     To sense a touch at the touch sensor  100 , drive lines  101  can be stimulated by the stimulation signals  107  to capacitively couple with the crossing sense lines  103 , thereby forming a capacitive path for coupling charge from the drive lines  101  to the sense lines  103 . The crossing sense lines  103  can output touch signals  109 , representing the coupled charge or current. When an object, such as a stylus, finger, etc., touches the touch sensor  100 , the object can cause the capacitance Csig  111  to reduce by an amount ΔCsig at the touch location. This capacitance change ΔCsig can be caused by charge or current from the stimulated drive line  101  being shunted through the touching object to ground rather than being coupled to the crossing sense line  103  at the touch location. The touch signals  109  representative of the capacitance change ΔCsig can be transmitted by the sense lines  103  to the sense circuitry for processing. The touch signals  109  can indicate the touch region where the touch occurred and the amount of touch that occurred at that touch region location. 
     While the example shown in  FIG. 1  includes four drive lines  101  and five sense lines  103 , it should be appreciated that touch sensor  100  can include any number of drive lines  101  and any number of sense lines  103  to form the desired number and pattern of touch regions  105 . Additionally, while the drive lines  101  and sense lines  103  are shown in  FIG. 1  in a crossing configuration, it should be appreciated that other configurations are also possible to form the desired touch region pattern. While  FIG. 1  illustrates mutual capacitance touch sensing, other touch sensing technologies may also be used in conjunction with examples of the disclosure, such as self-capacitance touch sensing, resistive touch sensing, projection scan touch sensing, and the like. Furthermore, while various examples describe a sensed touch, it should be appreciated that the touch sensor  100  can also sense a hovering object and generate hover signals therefrom. 
     Touch sensors, such as touch sensor  100 , can be manufactured in various ways. For example, touch sensors can be manufactured using a roll-to-roll process that involves patterning the touch sensor onto rolls of thin, flexible plastic or metal foil. These devices can then be removed from the roll using lithography or a physical cutting process. To illustrate,  FIG. 2  shows multiple touch sensors  200  similar or identical to touch sensor  100  formed on a sheet of base film  201 . In some examples, the sheet of base film  401  can include a flexible plastic material, such as cyclo olefin polymer (COP). In these examples, layers of dry film resist (DFR) can be applied to the sheet of base film  201  to be used as a mask to pattern the drive lines, sense lines, bond pads, metal traces, and the like, of the touch sensor  200 . Once the touch sensors  200  are patterned onto the sheet of base film  201 , the touch sensors can be cut from the sheet of base film  201 , producing individual touch sensors  200 , such as that shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top-view of an exemplary touch sensor  200  that can be made using various manufacturing techniques, such as a roll-to-roll process as described above with respect to  FIG. 2 . Touch sensor  200  can generally include viewable area  301 , which can include drive lines and sense lines similar or identical to drive lines  101  and sense lines  103  made from a transparent, or at least substantially transparent, material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), silicon oxide, other transparent oxides, or the like. Touch sensor  200  can further include metal traces  303  along the edges of touch sensor  200 . Metal traces  303  can be made from copper or other metal, and can be coupled between the drive lines or sense lines of viewable area  301  and bond pads  305 . Bond pads  305  can be used to couple the drive lines and sense lines of viewable area  301  to circuitry for driving the drive lines and circuitry for interpreting touch signals from the sense lines. Touch sensor  200  can further include a passivation layer  307  covering metal traces  303  and viewable area  301  that is laminated or otherwise adhered to the sheet of base film  201 . Ideally, the passivation layer  307  can form a perfect seal along the interface between passivation layer  307  and sheet of base film  201 . However, due to manufacturing defects and other factors, small gaps can be formed between passivation layer  307  and the sheet of base film  201 . As a result, unwanted moisture  309  can enter the device via these gaps and can cause corrosion of the metal traces  303 . 
     To prevent or reduce the effects of moisture damage, one or more guard traces according to various examples of the present disclosure can be used. The one or more guard traces can be formed from a metal, such as copper, and can be located between metal traces  303  and the edge of the touch sensor. The one or more guard traces can be uncoupled from the drive and sense lines of the touch sensor. In this way, the one or more guard traces can act as a “sacrificial” trace to absorb moisture damage that would otherwise occur to metal traces  303 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a touch sensor  400  having a guard trace  411 . Touch sensor  400  can include a viewable area  401 , metal traces  403 , bond pads  405 , and passivation layer  407  similar or identical to viewable area  301 , metal traces  303 , bond pads  305 , and passivation layer  307  of touch sensor  200 . However, touch sensor  400  can further include a guard trace  411  located between metal traces  403  and the die-cut edge of touch sensor  400 . Unlike metal traces  403 , guard trace  411  may not be coupled to drive lines or sense lines of viewable area  401 . Guard trace  411  can be made from copper or other metal and can be used to protect metal traces  403  from moisture  409 . Specifically, guard trace  411  can protect metal traces  403  by blocking or absorbing moisture  409  entering the device. Since moisture damage is typically limited to the outermost metal trace, the guard trace  411  can be corroded while the metal traces  403  will likely remain intact. Since guard trace  411  is not used to couple drive lines or sense lines to bond pads  405 , moisture damage to the guard trace will have a minimal effect on the performance of the touch sensor. 
     In the illustrated example, guard trace  411  is floating (e.g., not coupled to metal traces  403  or bond pads  405 ) and includes a single metal trace. In some examples, the width of guard trace  411  can be the same as the widths of metal traces  403 . In other examples, the width of guard traces  411  can be greater or less than the widths of metal traces  403 . In yet other examples, multiple guard traces  411  can be included within touch sensor  400 . These and other factors can be varied based on the design of touch sensor  400  to protect metal traces  403  from moisture damage. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another exemplary touch sensor  500  having a guard trace  511 . Touch sensor  500  can include a viewable area  501 , metal traces  503 , bond pads  505 , passivation layer  507 , and guard trace  511  similar or identical to viewable area  401 , metal traces  403 , bond pads  405 , passivation layer  407 , and guard trace  411  of touch sensor  400 . However, touch sensor  500  can include a connection point  513  that couples ends of guard trace  511  to one or more outer traces of metal traces  503 , thereby coupling guard trace  511  to ground. Connection point  513  can be formed by extending guard trace  511  to contact the outer trace(s) of metal traces  503  or bond pad(s)  505 . Guard trace  511  can be coupled to ground using connection point  513  to prevent the inclusion of floating metal (e.g., metal that is not coupled to ground), which can have a detrimental effect on the performance of touch sensor  500 . Similar to guard trace  411 , in some examples, the width of guard trace  511  can be the same as the widths of metal traces  503 . In other examples, the width of guard traces  511  can be greater or less than the widths of metal traces  503 . In yet other examples, multiple guard traces  511  can be included within touch sensor  500 . These and other factors can be varied based on the design of touch sensor  500  to protect metal traces  503  from moisture damage. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary touch sensor  600  having a guard trace  611 . Touch sensor  600  can include a viewable area  601 , metal traces  603 , bond pads  605 , passivation layer  607 , and guard trace  611  similar or identical to viewable area  501 , metal traces  503 , bond pads  505 , passivation layer  507 , and guard trace  511  of touch sensor  500 . However, connection point  613  can be made from a non-metal material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO). In cases of severe moisture damage, corrosion of metal can be propagated along the length of the metal. Thus, ITO can be used for connection point  613  to prevent corrosion from propagating along guard trace  611  to bond pad  605  and the connected outer trace of metal traces  603 . Similar to guard trace  511 , in some examples, the width of guard trace  611  can be the same as the widths of metal traces  603 . In other examples, the width of guard traces  611  can be greater or less than the widths of metal traces  603 . In yet other examples, multiple guard traces  611  can be included within touch sensor  600 . These and other factors can be varied based on the design of touch sensor  600  to protect metal traces  603  from moisture damage. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another exemplary touch sensor  700  having a guard trace  711 . Touch sensor  700  can include a viewable area  701 , metal traces  703 , bond pads  705 , passivation layer  707 , and guard trace  711  similar or identical to viewable area  601 , metal traces  603 , bond pads  605 , passivation layer  607 , and guard trace  611  of touch sensor  600 . However, guard trace  711  can be coupled to the outer trace of metal traces  703  at all locations along guard trace  711 . Specifically, the area between guard trace  711  and the outer trace of metal traces  703  can be filled with a non-metal material, such as ITO. This configuration advantageously couples guard trace  711  to ground, prevents the propagation of corrosion from guard trace  711  to metal traces  703 , and reduces the resistance of the outer trace of metal traces  703 . Similar to guard trace  611 , in some examples, the width of guard trace  711  can be the same as the widths of metal traces  703 . In other examples, the width of guard traces  711  can be greater or less than the widths of metal traces  703 . In yet other examples, multiple guard traces  711  can be included within touch sensor  700 . These and other factors can be varied based on the design of touch sensor  700  to protect metal traces  703  from moisture damage. 
     In some examples, the one or more guard traces of touch sensors  400 ,  500 ,  600 , or  700  can be coupled to one or more drive lines or sense lines along an edge of the viewable area of the device. The drive circuitry or sense circuitry coupled to these guard traces can be configured to detect an open circuit (e.g., due to corrosion of the guard trace) and can cease driving the associated drive line(s) or ignore the touch signal(s) received from the associated sense line(s). In these examples, the guard traces can still be used to couple drive lines or sense lines to the bond pads while intact, and only a minimal decrease in touch sensor performance will be experienced if/when the guard trace corrodes. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary process for manufacturing a touch sensor having one or more guard traces. At block  801 , a touch sensor can be formed on a base film. In some examples, the sheet of base film can include a flexible plastic material, such as cyclo olefin polymer (COP), and a touch sensor similar or identical to touch sensors  400 ,  500 ,  600 , or  700  can be formed on the sheet of base film using any known patterning technique, such as deposition or photolithography. As one example,  FIGS. 9-16  illustrate the formation of a touch sensor on a sheet of COP base film  201  at various stages of manufacture using an exemplary etching process. 
     Initially,  FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary sheet of COP base film  201  having a hard-coat (HC) layer, index matching (IM) layer, indium tin oxide (ITO) layer  903 , and copper layer  905 . The HC layer and IM layer have been combined into a single HC and IM layer  901  for simplicity, but it should be appreciated that these layers can be separate layers. To form the touch sensor on the sheet of COP base film  201 , a layer of dry film resist (DFR)  907  can be laminated onto the copper layer  905  of the sheet of COP base film  201 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Portions of the DFR layer  907  can then be etched away to define the metal traces, drive lines, sense lines, and bond pads of the touch sensor, as shown in  FIG. 11 . For example, portions of DFR layer  907  can be etched away to define the drive lines and sense lines within viewable area  401 ,  501 ,  601 , or  701 , metal traces  403 ,  503 ,  603 , or  703 , and bond pads  405 ,  505 ,  605 , or  705 . Specifically, portions of DFR layer  907  above the drive lines, sense lines, metal traces, and bond pads can be left intact while the remaining portions of DFR layer  907  can be etched away. Using the remaining DFR layer  907  as a mask, portions of copper layer  905  and ITO layer  903  can be etched using an appropriate etchant, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The remaining DFR layer  907  can then be etched away, as shown in  FIG. 13 . A second DFR layer  1407  can then be deposited on portions of sheet  201  corresponding to the metal traces and bond pads of the touch sensor, as shown in  FIG. 14 . For example, a second DFR layer  1407  can be deposited onto metal traces  403 ,  503 ,  603 , or  704  and bond pads  405 ,  505 ,  605 , or  705  of the touch sensor. Using the second DFR layer  1407  as a mask, portions of copper layer  905  can be etched away, as shown in  FIG. 15 . In the example where the second DFR layer  1407  is deposited onto metal traces  403 ,  503 ,  603 , or  703  and bond pads  405 ,  505 ,  605 , or  705  of the touch sensor, the portions of copper layer  905  within viewable area  401 ,  501 ,  601 , or  701  can be removed. The second DFR layer  1407  can then be etched away, leaving the drive lines, sense lines, metal traces, and bond pads of the touch sensor, as shown in  FIG. 16 . For example, using the example provided above, drive lines formed of ITO, sense lines formed of ITO, metal traces formed of copper and ITO, and bond pads formed of copper and ITO can be created using this exemplary etching process. 
     Referring back to process  800  of  FIG. 8 , after forming the touch sensor on the base film at block  801 , the process can proceed to block  803 . At block  803 , one or more guard traces can be formed on the base film. For example, guard traces similar or identical to guard traces  411 ,  511 ,  611 , or  711  can be formed on a sheet of base film  201  such that they are positioned between an edge of the touch sensor and an outer metal trace, as shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . In some examples, the guard trace can be formed using known patterning techniques, such as deposition or photolithography. In other examples, an etching process similar or identical to that described above with respect to  FIGS. 9-16  can be used. In yet other examples, the guard traces can be formed at the same time as the formation of the touch sensor at block  801 . For instance, the DFR layer  907  can be deposited over an area of sheet  201  corresponding to drive lines, sense lines, metal traces, bond pads, and guard traces to prevent etching of the underlying portions of copper layer  905  and ITO layer  903  in these areas. After etching, the first DFR layer  907  can be removed. The second DFR layer  1407  can then be deposited over an area of sheet  201  corresponding metal traces, bond pads, and guard traces to prevent etching of the underlying portions of copper layer  905  and ITO layer  903  in these areas, resulting in copper metal traces, bond pads, and guard traces. The second DFR layer  1407  can then be removed. Once complete, the touch sensor can be cut or otherwise removed from the sheet of base film  201 . 
       FIGS. 9-16  show the patterning of both sides of the sheet of base film  201 . It should be appreciated that different components of the touch sensor can be patterned on each side of the sheet of base film  201 . For example, the drive lines and associated metal traces can be patterned on the bottom of the sheet of base film  201 , while the sense lines and associated on traces can be patterned on the top of the sheet of base film  201 . In some examples, the guard traces can be patterned on the same side of the sheet of base film  201  as the drive lines and associated metal traces since those metal traces are typically positioned along the edge of the touch sensor. In other examples, the guard traces can be patterned on the same side of the sheet of base film  201  as the sense lines and associated metal traces. In yet other examples, the guard traces can be patterned on both sides of the sheet of base film  201 . One of ordinary skill in the art can arrange the components of the touch sensor based on its desired application. 
     One or more of the functions relating to the manufacturing of a touch sensitive device having one or more guard traces can be performed by a system similar or identical to system  1700  shown in  FIG. 17 . System  1700  can include instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as memory  1703  or storage device  1701 , and executed by processor  1705 . The instructions can also be stored and/or transported within any non-transitory computer readable storage 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 “non-transitory computer readable storage medium” can be any medium 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 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 instructions 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 medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared wired or wireless propagation medium. 
     System  1700  can further include manufacturing device  1707  coupled to processor  1705 . Manufacturing device  1707  can be operable to form a touch sensor or other electronic device on a base film and remove the touch sensor or electronic device from the base film, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 8 . Processor  1705  can control manufacturing device  1707  and its components to generate a desired pattern of metal traces, drive lines, sense lines, bond pads, and guard traces in a manner similar or identical to that described above with respect to process  800 . 
     It is to be understood that the system is not limited to the components and configuration of  FIG. 17 , but can include other or additional components in multiple configurations according to various examples. Additionally, the components of system  1700  can be included within a single device, or can be distributed between two manufacturing device  1707 , in some examples, processor  1705  can be located within manufacturing device  1707 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary personal device  1800 , such as a tablet, that can include a touch sensor having one or more guard traces according to various examples. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates another exemplary personal device  1900 , such as a mobile phone, that can include a touch sensor having one or more guard traces according to various examples. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates an exemplary personal device  2000 , such as a laptop having a touchpad that can include a touch sensor having one or more guard traces according to various examples. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates another exemplary personal device  2100 , such as a touch pad, that can include a touch sensor having one or more guard traces according to various examples. 
     Therefore, according to the above, some examples of the disclosure are directed to a touch sensor comprising: a plurality of sense lines; a plurality of drive lines; one or more bond pads; a plurality of metal traces that couple together the one or more bond pads with the plurality of sense lines and the plurality of drive lines; and a guard trace positioned between edges of the touch sensor and the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the guard trace can be uncoupled from the plurality of sense lines and the plurality of drive lines. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the guard trace can be coupled to a sense line of the plurality of sense lines or a drive line of the plurality of drive lines, and the guard trace can be coupled to drive circuitry or sense circuitry operable to detect an open circuit in the guard trace. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the touch sensor can comprise a plurality of guard traces positioned between edges of the touch sensor and the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the guard trace can be coupled to a metal trace of the plurality of metal traces. 
     Some examples of the disclosure are directed to a touch sensor comprising: a plurality of conductive traces that couple together one or more bond pads with a plurality of sense lines and a plurality of drive lines; and a conductive guard trace positioned between an edge of the touch sensor and the plurality of conductive traces, wherein the conductive guard trace is coupled to one or more outer traces of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the conductive guard trace can be coupled to the one or more outer traces of the plurality of conductive traces by copper. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the conductive guard trace can be coupled to the one or more outer traces of the plurality of conductive traces by indium tin oxide. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the indium tin oxide can be positioned along the conductive guard trace and between the conductive guard trace and the one or more outer traces of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the indium tin oxide can be coupled between ends of the conductive guard trace and the one or more outer traces of the plurality of conductive traces. 
     Some examples of the disclosure are directed to a touch sensor comprising: a plurality of sense lines; a plurality of drive lines; one or more bond pads; and a plurality of conductive traces, wherein a first subset of the plurality of conductive traces is uncoupled from the plurality of sense lines and the plurality of drive lines, and wherein a second subset of the plurality of conductive traces couple together the one or more bond pads with the plurality of sense lines and the plurality of drive lines. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the touch sensor can comprise an indium tin oxide connector coupled between ends of the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces and one or more outer traces of the second subset of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the touch sensor can comprise a strip of indium tin oxide along the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces and between the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces and the second subset of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces can comprise copper. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces can be positioned between an edge of the touch sensor and the second subset of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, ends of the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces can be coupled to one or more outer traces of the second subset of the plurality of conductive traces by copper. 
     Some examples of the disclosure are directed to a method for manufacturing a touch sensor, the method comprising: forming a plurality of sense lines; forming a plurality of drive lines; forming one or more bond pads; and forming a plurality of conductive traces, wherein a first subset of the plurality of conductive traces is uncoupled from the plurality of sense lines and the plurality of drive lines, and wherein a second subset of the plurality of conductive traces couple together the one or more bond pads with the plurality of sense lines and the plurality of drive lines. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces can be positioned between an edge of the touch sensor and the second subset of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, a conductive trace of the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces can be coupled to an outer trace of the second subset of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the first subset of the plurality of conductive traces can be coupled to an outer trace of the second subset of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the plurality of conductive traces can comprise a metal. 
     Some examples of the disclosure are directed to a method for manufacturing a touch sensor, the method comprising: forming a plurality of conductive traces that couple together one or more bond pads with a plurality of sense lines and a plurality of drive lines; and forming a conductive guard trace positioned between edges of the touch sensor and the plurality of conductive traces, wherein the conductive guard trace is coupled to an outer trace of the plurality of conductive traces. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the conductive guard trace can be coupled to ground. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the conductive guard trace can be coupled to ground by copper or indium tin oxide. Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the examples disclosed above, the guard trace can be uncoupled from the plurality of sense lines and the plurality of drive lines. 
     Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described 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 disclosure and examples as defined by the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20151204
Publication Date: 20180814
Grant Date: 20180814
Priority Date: 20120910
Inventors: MOHAPATRA, SIDDHARTH
KANG, SUNGGU
ZHONG, JOHN Z.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0416", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04107", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/58", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04107", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0416", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/58", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04164", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04164", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50232116