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`Exhibit 1
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`USOO9256311B2
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`(12) United States Patent
`Yilmaz et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9.256,311 B2
`Feb. 9, 2016
`
`(54) FLEXIBLE TOUCH SENSOR
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(75) Inventors: Esat Yilmaz, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
`Steven Alan Laub, Atherton, CA (US);
`Jalil Shaikh, Fremont, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Atmel Corporation, San Jose, CA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 269 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/284,674
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 28, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`O
`O
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2013/0106441 A1
`May 2, 2013
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,089,672 A * 2/1992 Miller ........................ 200/6143
`5,729,249 A * 3/1998 Yasutake ........
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`2007. O153548 A1* 7, 2007 Hamada ............... GO2B 6.0036
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`2008/0129927 A1* 6/2008 Hamada ............... GO2B 6.0036
`349.65
`2008/0158183 A1* 7/2008 Hotelling et al. ............. 345,173
`2008/0165139 A1* 7/2008 Hotelling et al. .
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`2008/0277259 A1* 11/2008 Chang .........
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`2009/0002339 A1* 1/2009 Reynolds et al. ............. 345,174
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO WO 2012/129247
`9, 2012
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`3.08:
`(2013.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`ge: E.
`G06F 3/0354
`G06F 3/044
`GOIR I/O73
`GOIR3 I/28
`U.S. Appl. No. 61/454,936, filed Mar 21, 2011, Myers.
`(52) U.S. C.
`(Continued)
`CPC .......... G06F 3/0414 (2013.01); G06F 3/03547
`Primary Examiner — Vincent Q Nguyen
`(2013.01); G06F 3/044 (2013.01); G0IR
`Assistant Examiner — Raul Rios Russo
`1/0735 (2013.01); G0IR 31/2889 (2013.01);
`74). A
`A
`Fi
`Baker Botts L.L.P
`colo, 30.00) of 2007 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Baker Botts L.L.P.
`(2013.01)
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`In one embodiment, an apparatus include a substantially flex
`CPC ............ G06F 3/044: G06F 2203/0339; G06F
`ible Substrate and a touch sensor disposed on the Substantially
`2203/041.12: G06F 3/03547; G01R 1/0735;
`flexible substrate. The touch sensor comprising drive or sense
`GO1R 31/2889
`electrodes made of flexible conductive material configured to
`USPC ................... 324/654, 658, 663. 34.5/173 175
`bend with the substantially flexible substrate.
`See application file for complete search history.
`20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
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`
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`16 v
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`TOUCH
`SENSOR
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`8 w
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`-
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`CONTROLLER
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`US 9.256,311 B2
`Page 2
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`(56)
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`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`2009/0219257 A1* 9/2009 Frey et al. ................. 345,173
`20090315854 A1 12, 2009 Mat
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`345,173
`2010/0045620 A1* 2/2010 Long et al. ..
`345,173
`2010/0156840 A1* 6/2010 Frey et al. ...
`345,174
`2010/0308.844 A1* 12/2010 Day et al. .
`324f663
`2011/0005845 A1* 1/2011 Hotelling et a
`178.18.06
`2011 OO12793 A1* 1 2011 Ammetal
`... 343,702
`2011/0018556 A1
`1/2011 Le et al. ........................ 324,654
`2011/0210935 A1* 9/2011 Chuang ......................... 345/174
`2012/0038613 A1* 2, 2012 Choi ........
`345,211
`2012/0074961 A1
`3/2012 Herrmann ..................... 324,658
`
`4/2012 Tatelbaum et al. ........... 345,174
`2012/0098785 A1
`9/2012 Myers
`2012/0242588 A1
`2012/0242592 A1* 9/2012 Rothkopfet al. ............. 345,173
`2012/0243 151 A1
`9/2012 Lynch
`345,174
`58,385. A. 2.583 ranklin
`ll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`2013/0032414 A1
`2/2013 Yilmaz et al. .............. 178/1806
`38588. A
`338E. E.
`GO2F 1,13452
`TZalC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`349,106
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 61/454,950, filed Mar. 21, 2011, Lynch.
`U.S. Appl. No. 61/454,894, filed Mar. 21, 2011, Rothkopf.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

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`Case 2:19-cv-00152-JRG Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/19 Page 4 of 15 PageID #: 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 2016
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`Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 9.256,311 B2
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`10
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`16
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`TOUCH
`SENSOR
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`18
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`CONTROLLER
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`Figure 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 9.256,311 B2
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`22A
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`28A
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`20
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`24
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`26
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`29
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`~ ~ ~;~~ ~~ ~~
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`- 28B
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`Figure 2A
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`Figure 2B
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`Case 2:19-cv-00152-JRG Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/19 Page 6 of 15 PageID #: 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 9, 2016
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`Case 2:19-cv-00152-JRG Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/19 Page 7 of 15 PageID #: 18
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`Feb. 9, 2016
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`Case 2:19-cv-00152-JRG Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/19 Page 8 of 15 PageID #: 19
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`Feb. 9, 2016
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`Sheet 5 Of 7
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`Case 2:19-cv-00152-JRG Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/19 Page 9 of 15 PageID #: 20
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`Sheet 7 of 7
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`US 9.256,311 B2
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`Case 2:19-cv-00152-JRG Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/19 Page 11 of 15 PageID #: 22
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`1.
`FLEXBLE TOUCH SENSOR
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This disclosure generally relates to touch sensors.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`An electrode (whether a drive electrode or a sense elec
`trode) may be an area of conductive material forming a shape,
`Such as for example a disc, square, rectangle, other Suitable
`shape, or Suitable combination of these. One or more cuts in
`one or more layers of conductive material may (at least in
`part) create the shape of an electrode, and the area of the shape
`may (at least in part) be bounded by those cuts. In particular
`embodiments, the conductive material of an electrode may
`occupy approximately 100% of the area of its shape. As an
`example and not by way of limitation, an electrode may be
`made of indium tin oxide (ITO) and the ITO of the electrode
`may occupy approximately 100% of the area of its shape,
`where appropriate. In particular embodiments, the conduc
`tive material of an electrode may occupy approximately 5%
`of the area of its shape. As an example and not by way of
`limitation, an electrode may be made of fine lines of metal or
`other conductive material (Such as for example copper, silver,
`or a copper- or silver-based material) and the fine lines of
`conductive material may occupy approximately 5% of the
`area of its shape in a hatched, mesh, or other Suitable pattern.
`Although this disclosure describes or illustrates particular
`electrodes made of particular conductive material forming
`particular shapes with particular fills having particular pat
`terns, this disclosure contemplates any Suitable electrodes
`made of any suitable conductive material forming any Suit
`able shapes with any Suitable fills having any Suitable pat
`terns. Where appropriate, the shapes of the electrodes (or
`other elements) of a touch sensor may constitute in whole or
`in part one or more macro-features of the touch sensor. One or
`more characteristics of the implementation of those shapes
`(such as, for example, the conductive materials, fills, or pat
`terns within the shapes) may constitute in whole or in part one
`or more micro-features of the touch sensor. One or more
`macro-features of a touch sensor may determine one or more
`characteristics of its functionality, and one or more micro
`features of the touch sensor may determine one or more
`optical features of the touch sensor, Such as transmittance,
`refraction, or reflection.
`One or more portions of the substrate of touch sensor 10
`may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another
`Suitable material. This disclosure contemplates any Suitable
`substrate with any suitable portions made of any suitable
`material. In particular embodiments, the drive or sense elec
`trodes in touch sensor 10 may be made of ITO in whole or in
`part. In particular embodiments, the drive or sense electrodes
`in touch sensor 10 may be made of fine lines of metal or other
`conductive material. As an example and not by way of limi
`tation, one or more portions of the conductive material may be
`copper or copper-based and have a thickness of approxi
`mately 5 um or less and a width of approximately 10 um or
`less. As another example, one or more portions of the con
`ductive material may be silver or silver-based and similarly
`have a thickness of approximately 5um or less and a width of
`approximately 10 um or less. This disclosure contemplates
`any Suitable electrodes made of any suitable material.
`A mechanical stack may contain the Substrate (or multiple
`substrates) and the conductive material forming the drive or
`sense electrodes of touch sensor 10. As an example and not by
`way of limitation, the mechanical stack may include a first
`layer of optically clear adhesive (OCA) beneath a cover
`panel. The cover panel may be clear and made of a resilient
`material Suitable for repeated touching, such as for example
`glass, polycarbonate, or poly(methyl methacrylate)
`(PMMA). This disclosure contemplates any suitable cover
`panel made of any suitable material. The first layer of OCA
`may be disposed between the cover panel and the substrate
`with the conductive material forming the drive or sense elec
`
`10
`
`A touch-position sensor may detect the presence and loca
`tion of a touch or the proximity of an object (Such as a user's
`finger or a stylus) within a touch-sensitive area of the touch
`sensor overlaid on a display screen, for example. In a touch
`sensitive display application, the touch position sensor may
`enable a user to interact directly with what is displayed on the
`15
`screen, rather than indirectly with a mouse or touch pad. A
`touch sensor may be attached to or provided as part of a
`desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, per
`Sonal digital assistant (PDA), Smartphone, satellite naviga
`tion device, portable media player, portable game console,
`kiosk computer, point-of-sale device, or other suitable device.
`A control panel on a household or other appliance may
`include a touch sensor.
`There are a number of different types of touch position
`sensors, such as (for example) resistive touchscreens, Surface
`acoustic wave touch screens, and capacitive touch screens.
`Herein, reference to a touch sensor may encompass a touch
`screen, and vice versa, where appropriate. When an object
`touches or comes within proximity of the surface of the
`capacitive touch screen, a change in capacitance may occur
`within the touch screen at the location of the touch or prox
`imity. A controller may process the change in capacitance to
`determine its position on the touch screen.
`
`25
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`30
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`35
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example touch sensor with an example
`controller.
`FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate two example mesh patterns of a
`touch-sensitive mesh layer.
`FIGS. 3-6 illustrate example cut patterns in the example
`mesh of FIG. 2A.
`FIG. 7 illustrates an example mobile telephone that incor
`porates a flexible touch-sensitive apparatus.
`
`40
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`45
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`DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example touch sensor 10 with an
`example controller 12. Herein, reference to a touch sensor
`may encompass a touch screen, and vice versa, where appro
`priate. Touch sensor 10 and controller 12 may detect the
`presence and location of a touch or the proximity of an object
`within a touch-sensitive area of touch sensor 10. Herein,
`reference to a touch sensor may encompass both the touch
`sensor and its controller, where appropriate. Similarly, refer
`ence to a controller may encompass both the controller and its
`touch sensor, where appropriate. Touch sensor 10 may
`include one or more touch-sensitive areas, where appropriate.
`Touch sensor 10 may include an array of drive and sense
`electrodes (or an array of electrodes of a single type) disposed
`on one or more Substrates, which may be made of a dielectric
`material. Herein, reference to a touch sensor may encompass
`both the electrodes of the touch sensor and the substrate(s)
`that they are disposed on, where appropriate. Alternatively,
`where appropriate, reference to a touch sensor may encom
`pass the electrodes of the touch sensor, but not the substrate(s)
`that they are disposed on.
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`trodes. The mechanical stack may also include a second layer
`of OCA and a dielectric layer (which may be made of PET or
`another suitable material, similar to the substrate with the
`conductive material forming the drive or sense electrodes). As
`an alternative, where appropriate, a thin coating of a dielectric
`material may be applied instead of the second layer of OCA
`and the dielectric layer. The second layer of OCA may be
`disposed between the substrate with the conductive material
`making up the drive or sense electrodes and the dielectric
`layer, and the dielectric layer may be disposed between the
`second layer of OCA and an air gap to a display of a device
`including touch sensor 10 and controller 12. As an example
`only and not by way of limitation, the cover panel may have
`a thickness of approximately 1 mm; the first layer of OCA
`may have a thickness of approximately 0.05 mm; the sub
`15
`strate with the conductive material forming the drive or sense
`electrodes may have a thickness of approximately 0.05 mm:
`the second layer of OCA may have a thickness of approxi
`mately 0.05 mm; and the dielectric layer may have a thickness
`of approximately 0.05 mm. Although this disclosure
`describes a particular mechanical Stack with a particular num
`ber of particular layers made of particular materials and hav
`ing particular thicknesses, this disclosure contemplates any
`Suitable mechanical stack with any Suitable number of any
`Suitable layers made of any suitable materials and having any
`Suitable thicknesses. As an example and not by way of limi
`tation, in particular embodiments, a layer of adhesive or
`dielectric may replace the dielectric layer, second layer of
`OCA, and air gap described above, with there being no air gap
`to the display.
`Touch sensor 10 may implement a capacitive form of touch
`sensing. In a mutual-capacitance implementation, touchsen
`sor 10 may include an array of drive and sense electrodes
`forming an array of capacitive nodes. A drive electrode and a
`sense electrode may form a capacitive node. The drive and
`sense electrodes forming the capacitive node may come near
`each other, but not make electrical contact with each other.
`Instead, the drive and sense electrodes may be capacitively
`coupled to each other across a space between them. A pulsed
`or alternating Voltage applied to the drive electrode (by con
`40
`troller 12) may induce a charge on the sense electrode, and the
`amount of charge induced may be susceptible to external
`influence (such as a touch or the proximity of an object).
`When an object touches or comes within proximity of the
`capacitive node, a change in capacitance may occur at the
`capacitive node and controller 12 may measure the change in
`capacitance. By measuring changes in capacitance through
`out the array, controller 12 may determine the position of the
`touch or proximity within the touch-sensitive area(s) of touch
`sensor 10.
`In a self-capacitance implementation, touch sensor 10 may
`include an array of electrodes of a single type that may each
`form a capacitive node. When an object touches or comes
`within proximity of the capacitive node, a change in self
`capacitance may occur at the capacitive node and controller
`12 may measure the change in capacitance, for example, as a
`change in the amount of charge needed to raise the Voltage at
`the capacitive node by a pre-determined amount. As with a
`mutual-capacitance implementation, by measuring changes
`in capacitance throughout the array, controller 12 may deter
`mine the position of the touch or proximity within the touch
`sensitive area(s) of touch sensor 10. This disclosure contem
`plates any Suitable form of capacitive touch sensing, where
`appropriate.
`In particular embodiments, one or more drive electrodes
`may together form a drive line running horizontally or verti
`cally or in any Suitable orientation. Similarly, one or more
`
`50
`
`4
`sense electrodes may together form a sense line running hori
`Zontally or vertically or in any Suitable orientation. In particu
`lar embodiments, drive lines may run Substantially perpen
`dicular to sense lines. Herein, reference to a drive line may
`encompass one or more drive electrodes making up the drive
`line, and vice versa, where appropriate. Similarly, reference
`to a sense line may encompass one or more sense electrodes
`making up the sense line, and Vice versa, where appropriate.
`Touch sensor 10 may have drive and sense electrodes dis
`posed in a pattern on one side of a single Substrate. In such a
`configuration, a pair of drive and sense electrodes capaci
`tively coupled to each other across a space between them may
`form a capacitive node. For a self-capacitance implementa
`tion, electrodes of only a single type may be disposed in a
`pattern on a single Substrate. In addition or as an alternative to
`having drive and sense electrodes disposed in a pattern on one
`side of a single substrate, touch sensor 10 may have drive
`electrodes disposed in a pattern on one side of a Substrate and
`sense electrodes disposed in a pattern on another side of the
`substrate. Moreover, touch sensor 10 may have drive elec
`trodes disposed in a pattern on one side of one Substrate and
`sense electrodes disposed in a pattern on one side of another
`Substrate. In such configurations, an intersection of a drive
`electrode and a sense electrode may form a capacitive node.
`Such an intersection may be a location where the drive elec
`trode and the sense electrode “cross' or come nearest each
`other in their respective planes. The drive and sense elec
`trodes do not make electrical contact with each other in
`stead they are capacitively coupled to each other across a
`dielectric at the intersection. Although this disclosure
`describes particular configurations of particular electrodes
`forming particular nodes, this disclosure contemplates any
`Suitable configuration of any suitable electrodes forming any
`Suitable nodes. Moreover, this disclosure contemplates any
`Suitable electrodes disposed on any Suitable number of any
`Suitable Substrates in any Suitable patterns.
`As described above, a change in capacitance at a capacitive
`node of touch sensor 10 may indicate a touch or proximity
`input at the position of the capacitive node. Controller 12 may
`detect and process the change in capacitance to determine the
`presence and location of the touch or proximity input. Con
`troller 12 may then communicate information about the touch
`or proximity input to one or more other components (such one
`or more central processing units (CPUs) or digital signal
`processors (DSPs)) of a device that includes touch sensor 10
`and controller 12, which may respond to the touch or proX
`imity input by initiating a function of the device (or an appli
`cation running on the device) associated with it. Although this
`disclosure describes a particular controller having particular
`functionality with respect to a particular device and a particu
`lar touch sensor, this disclosure contemplates any Suitable
`controller having any suitable functionality with respect to
`any Suitable device and any Suitable touch sensor.
`Controller 12 may be one or more integrated circuits
`(ICs)—such as for example general-purpose microproces
`sors, microcontrollers, programmable logic devices or arrays,
`application-specific ICs (ASICs)—on a flexible printed cir
`cuit (FPC) bonded to the substrate of touch sensor 10, as
`described below. Controller 12 may include a processor unit,
`a drive unit, a sense unit, and a storage unit. The drive unit
`may supply drive signals to the drive electrodes of touch
`sensor 10. The sense unit may sense charge at the capacitive
`nodes of touch sensor 10 and provide measurement signals to
`the processor unit representing capacitances at the capacitive
`nodes. The processor unit may control the Supply of drive
`signals to the drive electrodes by the drive unit and process
`measurement signals from the sense unit to detect and process
`
`10
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`shaped mesh cells 24 formed from substantially orthogonal
`intersections between lines 22A with lines 22B of conductive
`material. As an example and not by way of limitation, first set
`22A and second set 22B of conducting lines may be disposed
`such that a total line density is less than approximately 10% of
`a surface area. Thus, the contribution of the conductive lines
`to the reduction of transmission of light through mesh pattern
`20 may be less than approximately 10%. Accordingly,
`although conductive lines 22A-B may be opaque, the com
`bined optical transmittance of electrodes formed using mesh
`pattern 20 may be approximately 90% or higher ignoring
`reduction in transmittance due to other factors such as the
`substantially flexible substrate material.
`In the example of FIG. 2B, mesh pattern 26 may beformed
`from substantially non-linear conductive lines 28A-B. Non
`linear line patterns 28A-B may be used to avoid long linear
`stretches of fine metal with a repeat frequency, reducing a
`probability of causing interference or moiré patterns. The
`non-linear pattern of the conductive lines 28A-B of mesh
`pattern 26 may disperse and hence reduce the visibility of
`reflections from conductive lines 28A-B when illuminated by
`incident light. As an example and not by way of limitation,
`each of conductive lines 28A-B of mesh pattern 26 may have
`a substantially sinusoidal shape. Mesh pattern 26 may be
`made up of an array of mesh cells 29 formed from non
`orthogonal intersections between lines 26A with lines 26B of
`conductive material. Although this disclosure describes or
`illustrates particular mesh patterns, this disclosure contem
`plates any suitable mesh pattern formed using conductive
`lines with any Suitable configuration.
`FIGS. 3-6 illustrate example cut patterns in example mesh
`pattern of FIG. 2A. In the examples of FIG. 3-6, macro
`features (e.g., electrodes) of the touch sensor may be formed
`through cuts made in a mesh pattern of lines of conductive
`material. A cut pattern 30 may be formed through horizontal
`cuts 32 and vertical cuts 34 with orthogonal intersections. In
`particular embodiments, cut pattern 30 with interdigitated
`Substantially rectangular projections may be defined through
`horizontal cuts 32 and vertical cuts 34. As an example and not
`by way of limitation, cut pattern 30 with interdigitated pro
`jections may approximately correspond to projections of a
`sense electrode interdigitated with projections of a corre
`sponding drive electrode. Using interdigitated electrode pro
`jections may increase a number of capacitive coupling edges
`between sense electrodes and corresponding drive electrodes.
`As another example, cut pattern 30 with interdigitated pro
`jections may approximately correspond to projections of a
`sense electrode interdigitated with projections of a corre
`sponding drive electrode disposed on different layers. Using
`interdigitated electrode projections may increase a number of
`capacitive coupling edges between sense electrodes and cor
`responding drive electrodes.
`In the example of FIG. 4, a cut pattern 40 may be defined
`using vertical cuts 42 and angled cuts 44. Cut pattern 40 with
`interdigitated saw-tooth projections having non-orthogonal
`intersections may be defined through a Substantially repeat
`ing pattern of Vertical cuts 42 and angled cuts 44. As an
`example and not by way of limitation, cut pattern 40 may
`approximately correspond to electrodes using angled cuts 44
`to increase a length of coupling edges between interdigitated
`projections of sense electrodes and corresponding drive elec
`trodes. In the example of FIG. 5, horizontal cuts 52A-B and
`vertical cuts 54 may define a cut pattern 50 with alternating
`Substantially rectangular projections. In particular embodi
`ments, horizontal cuts 52A-B and vertical cuts 54 may define
`cut pattern 50 with projections having a width defined by the
`dimension of horizontal cuts 52A-B. A substantially rectan
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`the presence and location of a touch or proximity input within
`the touch-sensitive area(s) of touch sensor 10. The processor
`unit may also track changes in the position of a touch or
`proximity input within the touch-sensitive area(s) of touch
`sensor 10. The storage unit may store programming for
`execution by the processor unit, including programming for
`controlling the drive unit to Supply drive signals to the drive
`electrodes, programming for processing measurement sig
`nals from the sense unit, and other Suitable programming,
`where appropriate. Although this disclosure describes a par
`ticular controller having a particular implementation with
`particular components, this disclosure contemplates any Suit
`able controller having any suitable implementation with any
`Suitable components.
`Tracks 14 of conductive material disposed on the substrate
`of touch sensor 10 may couple the drive or sense electrodes of
`touch sensor 10 to bond pads 16, also disposed on the sub
`strate of touch sensor 10. As described below, bond pads 16
`facilitate coupling of tracks 14 to controller 12. Tracks 14
`may extend into or around (e.g. at the edges of) the touch
`sensitive area(s) of touch sensor 10. Particular tracks 14 may
`provide drive connections for coupling controller 12 to drive
`electrodes of touch sensor 10, through which the drive unit of
`controller 12 may supply drive signals to the drive electrodes.
`Other tracks 14 may provide sense connections for coupling
`controller 12 to sense electrodes of touch sensor 10, through
`which the sense unit of controller 12 may sense charge at the
`capacitive nodes of touch sensor 10. Tracks 14 may be made
`of fine lines of metal or other conductive material. As an
`example and not by way of limitation, the conductive material
`of tracks 14 may be copper or copper-based and have a width
`of approximately 100 Lim or less. As another example, the
`conductive material of tracks 14 may be silver or silver-based
`and have a width of approximately 100 um or less. In particu
`lar embodiments, tracks 14 may be made of ITO in whole or
`in part in addition or as an alternative to fine lines of metal or
`other conductive material. Although this disclosure describes
`particular tracks made of particular materials with particular
`widths, this disclosure contemplates any Suitable tracks made
`of any suitable materials with any suitable widths. In addition
`to tracks 14, touch sensor 10 may include one or more ground
`lines terminating at a ground connector (which may be a bond
`pad 16) at an edge of the substrate of touch sensor 10 (similar
`to tracks 14).
`Bond pads 16 may be located along one or more edges of
`45
`the substrate, outside the touch-sensitive area(s) of touch
`sensor 10. As described above, controller 12 may be on an
`FPC. Bond pads 16 may be made of the same material as
`tracks 14 and may be bonded to the FPC using an anisotropic
`conductive film (ACF). Connection 18 may include conduc
`tive lines on the FPC coupling controller 12 to bond pads 16,
`in turn coupling controller 12 to tracks 14 and to the drive or
`sense electrodes of touch sensor 10. This disclosure contem
`plates any suitable connection 18 between controller 12 and
`touch sensor 10.
`FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate two example mesh patterns of a
`touch-sensitive mesh layer. As discussed above, an electrode
`may be made offine lines 22A-B of metal or other conductive
`material (e.g., copper, silver, or a copper- or silver-based
`material) and the lines 22A-B of conductive material may
`occupy the area of the electrode shape in a hatched, mesh, or
`other suitable pattern. In the example of FIG. 2A, an example
`mesh pattern 20 of a touch-sensitive mesh layer may be
`formed from substantially straight lines 22A-B of conductive
`material. Mesh pattern 20 may be formed using two sets
`22A-B of substantially parallel lines of conductive material.
`Mesh pattern 20 may be made up of an array of diamond
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`Case 2:19-cv-00152-JRG Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/19 Page 14 of 15 PageID #: 25
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`US 9,256,311 B2
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`closure contemplates any suitable use of touch-sensitive
`apparatus 612 in any suitable device.
`Example display 613 may be a liquid crystal display
`(LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an LED-back
`light LCD, or other suitable display and may be visible
`though cover panel 601 and substrate 602, as well as the
`electrode pattern disposed on substrate 602. Although this
`disclosure describes and illustrates a particular display and
`particular display types, this disclosure contemplates any
`Suitable device display and any suitable display types.
`Herein, reference to a computer-readable storage medium
`encompasses one or more non-transitory, tangible computer
`readable storage media possessing structure. As an example
`and not by way of limitation, a computer-readable storage
`medium may include a semiconductor-based or other ICs
`(such, as for example, a field-programmable gate array
`(FPGA) or ASICs), a hard disk, an HDD, a hybrid hard drive
`(HHD), an optical disc, an optical disc drive (ODD), a mag
`neto-optical disc, a magneto-optical drive, a floppy disk, a
`floppy disk drive (FDD), magnetic tape, a holographic Stor
`age medium, a solid-state drive (SSD), a RAM-drive, a
`SECURE DIGITAL card, a SECURE DIGITAL drive, or
`another Suitable computer-readable storage medium or a
`combination of two or more of these, where appropriate.
`Herein, reference to a computer-readable storage medium
`excludes any medium that is not eligible for patent protection
`under 35 U.S.C. S 101. Herein, reference to a computer-read
`able storage medium excludes transitory forms of signal
`transmission (such as a propagating electrical or electromag
`netic signal perse) to the extent that they are not eligible for
`patent protection under 35 U.S.C.S 101. A computer-readable
`non-transitory storage medium may be volatile, non-volatile,
`or a combination of Volatile and non-volatile, where appro
`priate.
`Herein, 'or' is inclusive and not exclusive, unless
`expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by con
`text. Therefore, herein, “A or B' means "A, B, or both, unless
`expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by con
`text. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unless
`expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by con
`text. Therefore, herein, “A and B’ means “A and B, jointly or
`severally, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated
`otherwise by context.
`This disclosure encompasses all changes, Substitutions,
`variations, alterations, and modifications to the example
`embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the
`art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the
`appended claims encompass all changes, Substitutions, varia
`tions, alterations, and modifications to the example embodi
`ments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art
`would comprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended
`claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an appa
`ratus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of
`configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform
`a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system,
`component, whether or not it or that particular function is
`activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus,
`system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, con
`figured, enabled, operable, or