Reduced line count touch panel for mutual capacitance measurements

Abstract

A capacitive touch panel that improves detection of non-conductive objects includes a substrate; a first drive line; a first and second sense line disposed on the substrate; a first plurality of electrode elements, each electrode element of the first plurality of electrode elements is coupled to the first drive line, and the first plurality of electrode elements includes a first drive element; a second plurality of electrode elements, each electrode element of the second plurality of electrode elements is coupled to the first sense line, and the second plurality of electrode elements includes a first sense element disposed adjacent to the drive element; and a third plurality of electrode, each electrode element of the third plurality of electrode elements is coupled to the second sense line, and the third plurality of sensor elements includes a second sense element disposed in a nearest neighbor position relative to the first drive element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to capacitive touch panels and, more particularly, to a capacitive touch panel with a reduced line count that is capable of detecting input from conductive, non-conductive, and insulating objects.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Touch panels have become ubiquitous in portable computing and industrial applications. Capacitive touch systems have been developed to detect inputs with little or no activation force. A typical implementation of a conventional capacitance type touch panel is illustrated in FIG. 1. The touch panel 100 includes a drive electrode 102 and a sense electrode 104, across which a capacitance 106 occurs between the two electrodes. The drive electrode 102 and the sense electrode 104 may be formed on a transparent substrate such as the viewing surface of a display screen or a non-transparent surface such as an interactive whiteboard. An electrical signal may be sent to the drive electrode 102 and a response signal may be detected ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention pertains to improved systems for sensing both conductive and non-conductive objects using a capacitive touch panel. Specifically, designs described herein implement electrode arrangements for a capacitive touch panel with a reduced number of signal wires and improved driving schemes. The reduced number of signal wires produce electrode arrangements with unexpected accuracy and performance while simplifying the design and manufacture of capacitive touch panels.

Problems solved by technology

This required large number of signal wires has limited the advantages of conventional configurations.

The complexity results in increased power usage, and increased engineering, manufacturing, repair, and replacement costs.

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