Illuminated touchpad

Abstract

An illuminated touchpad is provided, which includes a substrate structure, a light-emitting element and a plurality of driving and sensing circuit patterns. The substrate structure has a through hole. The light-emitting element is disposed on a lower surface of the substrate structure and substantially aligned with the through hole. The driving and sensing circuit patterns are disposed on an upper surface of the substrate structure and / or inside the substrate structure, in which a portion of at least one of the driving and sensing circuit patterns is adjacent to a portion of a periphery of the through hole and disposed along the portion of the periphery of the through hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a light-emitting touch panel. Prior Technology

[0002] Some electronic devices on the market are equipped with touchpad modules. Users can move the cursor on the screen of the electronic device by sliding their fingers on the touchpad module, or they can press the touchpad module to make the electronic device perform specific functions. In this way, users do not need to carry and install an additional mouse.

[0003] The touchpad module has a touch sensing area to detect the user's touch position. However, if other functional components are placed in the touch sensing area of ​​the touchpad module, the sensing function will be poor when the user touches the corresponding component in the touch sensing area, affecting the user's operating experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a light-emitting touch panel, comprising a substrate structure, a light-emitting element, and multiple driving sensing circuit patterns. The substrate structure has a through-hole. The light-emitting element is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate structure and is generally aligned with the through-hole. Multiple driving sensing circuit patterns are disposed on the upper surface of the substrate structure and / or inside the substrate structure, wherein a portion of at least one of the driving sensing circuit patterns is adjacent to a portion of the periphery of the through-hole and is disposed along that portion of the periphery of the through-hole.

[0005] In some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the driving sensing circuit patterns is partially surrounded by a through hole.

[0006] In some embodiments of the invention, the length of a portion of at least one of the driving sensing circuit patterns is less than the total length of the periphery of the through hole.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the length of the portion of at least one of the driving sensing circuit patterns is greater than the width of the through hole.

[0008] In some embodiments of the invention, the distance between the portion of the periphery of the through hole and the portion of the at least one of the drive sensing circuit patterns is less than or equal to the distance between the portion of the at least one of the drive sensing circuit patterns and another of the drive sensing circuit patterns of the portion of the at least one of the adjacent drive sensing circuit patterns.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one portion of the driving sensing circuit pattern is an arc-shaped circuit pattern.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the driving sensing circuit patterns include: a plurality of first circuit patterns disposed along a first direction; and a plurality of second circuit patterns disposed along a second direction different from the first direction.

[0011] In some embodiments of the invention, at least one portion of the first circuit pattern is adjacent to and along the periphery of the through hole, and at least one portion of the second circuit pattern is adjacent to another portion of the periphery of the through hole.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first circuit patterns are multiple sensing circuit patterns, the second circuit patterns are multiple driving circuit patterns, and a portion of at least one of the sensing circuit patterns is adjacent to and disposed along the periphery of the through hole.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the width of each sensing circuit pattern is smaller than the width of each driving circuit pattern. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0014] The invention will be best understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be understood that, according to industry practice, the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, for clarity, the shapes of the various features may be appropriately adjusted, and the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased.

[0015] Figure 1A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light-emitting touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 1B is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light-emitting touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is a top view schematic diagram of a driving sensing circuit pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the driving sensing circuit pattern in Figure 2.

[0019] Figure 4 is a top view schematic diagram of a driving sensing circuit pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0020] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the methods of achieving them, will be more readily understood through a more detailed description with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings. However, the invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments provided will, to those skilled in the art, enable the invention to be thoroughly and completely conveyed and its scope fully understood.

[0021] The spatial relative terms used in this article, such as "down" and "up," are for the convenience of describing the relative relationship between one element or feature and another in the diagram. The true meaning of these spatial relative terms includes other orientations. For example, when the diagram is rotated 180 degrees vertically, the relationship between one element and another may change from "down" to "up." The spatial relative descriptions used in this article should be interpreted in the same way.

[0022] As described in the prior art, if components with other functions are to be placed in the touch sensing area of ​​the touchpad module, the sensing function will be poor when the user touches the position corresponding to the component in the touch sensing area, affecting the user's operating experience. Accordingly, the present invention provides a light-emitting touchpad, which includes a substrate structure, a light-emitting element, and multiple driving sensing circuit patterns. The light-emitting element is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate structure and is generally aligned with the through hole. Multiple driving sensing circuit patterns are disposed on the upper surface of the substrate structure and / or inside the substrate structure. It is worth noting that at least one portion of these driving sensing circuit patterns is adjacent to a portion of the periphery of the through hole and is disposed along that portion of the periphery of the through hole (hereinafter, that portion of the at least one driving sensing circuit pattern is simply referred to as "the deformed portion of the driving sensing circuit pattern"). Because a deformed portion of the driving sensing circuit pattern is located near the through-hole, when a user touches the area corresponding to the through-hole of the luminous touchpad, the user's touch position can be located by the deformed portion of the driving sensing circuit pattern and another adjacent driving sensing circuit pattern. Therefore, there will be no malfunction in sensing when touching the area corresponding to the through-hole of the luminous touchpad. Various embodiments of the luminous touchpad of the present invention are described in detail below.

[0023] Figure 1A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light-emitting touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light-emitting touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view schematic diagram of a driving sensing circuit pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the driving sensing circuit pattern of Figure 2. As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, the light-emitting touch panel includes a substrate structure 110, a light-emitting element 120 and multiple driving sensing circuit patterns 130.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2, and 3, the substrate structure 110 has a through hole 110a. The through hole 110a can be of any shape. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the through hole 110a is a circular hole. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and in other embodiments, the through hole 110a can be of other shapes.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the light-emitting element 120 is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate structure 110 and is substantially aligned with the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the width of the through hole 110a is less than or equal to 3.0 mm, or less than or equal to 2.5 mm, or less than or equal to 2.0 mm. In some embodiments, the through hole 110a is circular. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and the size and shape of the through hole 110a can be appropriately adjusted according to actual needs.

[0026] As shown in FIG1A, multiple driving sensing circuit patterns 130 are disposed on the upper surface of the substrate structure 110. In some embodiments, the substrate structure 110 is an insulating layer (not shown), and the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 include multiple first circuit patterns (not shown) and multiple second circuit patterns (not shown) disposed on this insulating layer.

[0027] The difference between the embodiment in Figure 1B and the embodiment in Figure 1A is that, as shown in Figure 1B, multiple driving sensing circuit patterns 130 are disposed on the upper surface and inside the substrate structure 110. In some embodiments, these driving sensing circuit patterns 130 include multiple first circuit patterns 131 and multiple second circuit patterns 132, which are respectively disposed on the upper surface and inside the substrate structure 110. As shown in Figure 1B, the substrate structure 110 has a first insulating layer 111, a second insulating layer 112, and a third insulating layer 113. The third insulating layer 113 is located above the first insulating layer 111, and the second insulating layer 112 is located between the first insulating layer 111 and the third insulating layer 113. The first circuit patterns 131 are disposed on the third insulating layer 113, and the second circuit patterns 132 are disposed between the second insulating layer 112 and the third insulating layer 113. In some embodiments, the light-emitting touch panel further includes a grounding circuit 140, which is disposed between the first insulating layer 111 and the second insulating layer 112.

[0028] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In other embodiments, the substrate structure may have two or four or more insulating layers. In other embodiments, the first circuit patterns and the second circuit patterns are disposed inside the substrate structure, and may be located in the same layer or different layers.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a portion of at least one (131a) of the drive sensing circuit patterns 130 is adjacent to a portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a and is disposed along that portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, that portion of the at least one (131a) of the drive sensing circuit patterns 130 is an arc-shaped circuit pattern.

[0030] In some embodiments, a portion of at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 partially surrounds the through-hole 110a. In some embodiments, the length of that portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 is less than the total length of the periphery of the through-hole 110a. In some embodiments, the length of that portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 is greater than the width of the through-hole 110a. In some embodiments, the length of that portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 is greater than or equal to half the total length of the periphery of the through-hole 110a.

[0031] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3, the distance S1 between the portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a and the portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 is less than or equal to the distance S2 between the portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 and another (132a or 132b) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 adjacent to the portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130.

[0032] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 include a plurality of first circuit patterns 131 and a plurality of second circuit patterns 132. FIG2 shows three first circuit patterns 131a, 131b and 131c and three second circuit patterns 132a, 132b and 132c. The first circuit patterns 131a, 131b and 131c are arranged along a first direction D1. The second circuit patterns 132a, 132b and 132c are arranged along a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1. In some embodiments, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are substantially perpendicular.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second circuit pattern 132a, 132b or 132c has a plurality of circuit pattern portions (not shown) arranged along the second direction D2, and two adjacent circuit pattern portions can be electrically connected through interlayer vias (not shown).

[0034] The first circuit patterns 131 and the second circuit patterns 132 are arranged alternately to form a plurality of driving sensing units 130u. In some embodiments, the width of the driving sensing unit 130u is greater than the width of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the width of the driving sensing unit 130u is less than or equal to 5.0 mm, or less than or equal to 4.5 mm, or less than or equal to 4.0 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and the size of the driving sensing unit 130u can be appropriately adjusted according to actual needs. In some embodiments, the through hole 110a is disposed in two adjacent driving sensing units 130u (as shown in FIG. 2) or disposed in a single driving sensing unit.

[0035] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a portion of at least one (131a) of the first circuit patterns 131 is disposed adjacent to and along the periphery of the through hole 110a, and a portion of at least one (132a or 132b) of the second circuit patterns 132 is adjacent to another portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the portion of the at least one (132a or 132b) of the second circuit patterns 132 is disposed along the other portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first circuit patterns 131 are multiple sensing circuit patterns, and the second circuit patterns 132 are multiple driving circuit patterns. A portion of at least one (131a) of the sensing circuit patterns (131) is adjacent to and along the periphery of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the width of each sensing circuit pattern 131 is smaller than the width of each driving circuit pattern 132. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and the size, shape, and distribution of the driving circuit patterns and sensing circuit patterns can be appropriately adjusted according to actual needs.

[0037] Figure 4 is a top view schematic diagram of a drive sensing circuit pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, a portion of at least one (131a) of the drive sensing circuit patterns 130 is adjacent to a portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a and is disposed along that portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, that portion of the at least one (131a) of the drive sensing circuit patterns 130 is an arc-shaped circuit pattern.

[0038] In some embodiments, a portion of at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 partially surrounds the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the length of that portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 is less than the total length of the periphery of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the length of that portion of the at least one (131a) of the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 is greater than the width of the through hole 110a.

[0039] In some embodiments, the driving sensing circuit patterns 130 include a plurality of first circuit patterns 131 and a plurality of second circuit patterns 132. FIG4 shows three first circuit patterns 131a, 131b and 131c and three second circuit patterns 132a, 132b and 132c. The first circuit patterns 131a, 131b and 131c are arranged along a first direction D1. The second circuit patterns 132a, 132b and 132c are arranged along a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1. In some embodiments, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are substantially perpendicular.

[0040] In some embodiments, the second circuit pattern 132a, 132b or 132c has a plurality of circuit pattern portions (not shown) arranged along the second direction D2, and two adjacent circuit pattern portions can be electrically connected through interlayer vias (not shown).

[0041] The first circuit patterns 131 and the second circuit patterns 132 are arranged alternately to form a plurality of drive sensing units 130u. In some embodiments, the width of the drive sensing unit 130u is greater than the width of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the through hole 110a is disposed in two adjacent drive sensing units 130u (as shown in FIG. 4) or in a single drive sensing unit.

[0042] In some embodiments, a portion of at least one (131a) of the first circuit patterns 131 is adjacent to and along the periphery of the through hole 110a, and a portion of at least one (132a or 132c) of the second circuit patterns 132 is adjacent to another portion of the periphery of the through hole 110a.

[0043] In some embodiments, the light-emitting touchpad further includes a plurality of floating conductor patterns (not shown) surrounded by a second circuit pattern 132. In some embodiments, the floating conductor patterns do not have conductive function, nor do they have driving or sensing function for touch control.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first circuit patterns 131 are multiple sensing circuit patterns, and the second circuit patterns 132 are multiple driving circuit patterns. A portion of at least one (131a) of the sensing circuit patterns (131) is adjacent to and along the periphery of the through hole 110a. In some embodiments, the width of each sensing circuit pattern 131 is smaller than the width of each driving circuit pattern 132. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. In other embodiments, the size, shape, and distribution of the driving circuit patterns and sensing circuit patterns can be appropriately adjusted according to actual needs.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the invention are still within the scope of the patent. Furthermore, no embodiment or claim of the present invention needs to achieve all the objectives, advantages, or features disclosed in the invention. In addition, the abstract and headings are merely for assisting in patent document searches and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0046] 110: Substrate Structure 111: First insulating layer 112: Second insulating layer 113: Third Insulation Layer 110a: Through hole 120: Light-emitting element 130: Driving sensing circuit pattern 130u: Drive sensing unit 131, 131a, 131b, 131c: First circuit pattern 132, 132a, 132b, 132c: Second circuit pattern 140: Grounding circuit D1: First Direction D2: Second Direction S1, S2: Spacing

Claims

1. A light-emitting touchpad, comprising: A substrate structure with a through hole; A light-emitting element is disposed on a lower surface of the substrate structure and is approximately aligned with the through hole; The substrate structure includes multiple driving sensing circuit patterns disposed on an upper surface and / or inside the substrate structure. The driving sensing circuit patterns include multiple sensing circuit patterns and multiple driving circuit patterns arranged alternately. The sensing circuit patterns are located on the same physical plane. At least one portion of the sensing circuit patterns is directly adjacent to a portion of the periphery of the through hole and is disposed along that portion of the periphery of the through hole with an circumferential angle greater than 180 degrees.

2. The light-emitting touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the at least one of the sensing circuit patterns has a length less than the total length of the periphery of the through hole.

3. The light-emitting touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between a portion of the periphery of the through hole and a portion of at least one of the sensing circuit patterns is less than or equal to a distance between a portion of the at least one of the sensing circuit patterns and one of the driving circuit patterns of a portion of the adjacent at least one of the sensing circuit patterns.

4. The light-emitting touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion of at least one of the sensing circuit patterns is an arc-shaped circuit pattern.

5. The light-emitting touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing circuit patterns are arranged along a first direction; and the driving circuit patterns are arranged along a second direction different from the first direction.

6. The light-emitting touch panel as claimed in claim 5, wherein a portion of at least one of the driving circuit patterns is adjacent to another portion of the periphery of the through hole.

7. The light-emitting touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of each of the sensing circuit patterns is smaller than the width of each of the driving circuit patterns.

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