Touch electrode with vertical and horizontal stripe patterns

Abstract

The invention relates to a touch electrode with a vertical stripe pattern and a horizontal stripe pattern. The invention relates to a touch sensor panel / touch screen comprising touch electrodes in vertical and horizontal stripe patterns. The vertical and horizontal stripe patterns may improve the touch signal level for touch detection and improve the uniformity of the touch signal when an object moves on the touch sensor panel / touch screen. Touch electrodes in the vertical and horizontal stripe patterns may be formed from metal meshes in one or more metal mesh layers. In some examples, "horizontal stripes" may be formed from a set of touch electrode segments in a first layer of metal mesh, and may be interconnected in an active area of the touch screen by bridges formed in a second layer of metal mesh different from the first layer of metal mesh. A plurality of lateral strips may be interconnected in the border area and / or the active area to form row touch electrodes. In some examples, the "vertical strips" may also include bridges in the second metal mesh layer.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of February 2, 2021, application number 202110143632.3, and invention name “Touch electrode with vertical and horizontal stripe patterns”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This patent application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 969,652, filed on February 3, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates generally to touch sensor panels, and more particularly to touch sensor panels including touch electrodes having a bar-and-stripe pattern. Background Art

[0005] Many types of input devices are currently available for performing operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks, touch sensor panels, touch screens, and the like. In particular, touch screens are popular for their simplicity and flexibility in operation and their ever-decreasing prices. A touch screen may include a touch sensor panel and a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, the touch sensor panel being a transparent panel having a touch-sensitive surface, the display device being partially or completely positioned behind the panel so that the touch-sensitive surface may cover at least a portion of the visible area of ​​the display device. A touch screen may allow a user to perform various functions by touching the touch sensor panel at a location generally indicated by a user interface (UI) displayed by a display device using a finger, a stylus, or other object. In general, a touch screen may identify a touch and the location of the touch on the touch sensor panel, and the computing system may then interpret the touch according to the display content that appears when the touch occurs, and may then perform one or more actions based on the touch. For some touch sensing systems, a physical touch on the display is not required to detect a touch. For example, in some capacitive touch sensing systems, the fringing electric field used to detect touch may extend beyond the surface of the display, and objects approaching the surface may be detected as being near the surface without actually contacting the surface.

[0006] Capacitive touch sensor panels can be formed from a matrix of partially or fully transparent or non-transparent conductive plates (e.g., touch electrodes) made of materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO). In some examples, the conductive plates can be formed from other materials, including conductive polymers, metal grids, graphene, nanowires (e.g., silver nanowires), or nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes). As described above, in part because they are substantially transparent, some capacitive touch sensor panels can be overlaid on a display to form a touch screen. Some touch screens can be formed by partially integrating touch sensing circuitry into the display pixel stack structure (i.e., the stacked material layers that form the display pixels). Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a touch sensor panel / touch screen including touch electrodes in a vertical stripe and horizontal stripe pattern. The vertical stripe and horizontal stripe pattern can improve the touch signal level for touch detection and improve the uniformity of the touch signal when an object moves on the touch sensor panel / touch screen. The touch electrodes in the vertical stripe and horizontal stripe pattern can be formed by a metal grid in a single metal grid layer. In some examples, the "horizontal stripe" can be formed by a group of touch electrode segments interconnected by bridges (formed in a second metal grid layer different from the first metal grid layer) in the active area of ​​the touch screen (the visible area of ​​the display), and multiple horizontal stripes can be interconnected in the border area (outside the visible area of ​​the display) and / or in the active area to form row touch electrodes. In some examples, the "vertical stripe" may also include a bridge. In order to reduce the visibility of these metal grid touch electrodes, in some examples, the boundary between these touch electrodes may be non-linear (where the electrical interruption portion in the metal grid advances along the boundary in a non-linear pattern). In some examples, a virtual cutout (an electrical break in the metal mesh) may be formed within the area of ​​the touch electrode region (eg, while maintaining the same electrical potential for the touch electrode region). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figures 1A to 1E An exemplary system that may include a touch screen according to examples of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 2 An exemplary computing system including a touch screen according to examples of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 3A An exemplary touch sensor circuit corresponding to self-capacitance measurement of touch node electrodes and sensing circuits according to examples of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 3B Exemplary touch sensor circuits corresponding to mutual capacitance drive and sense lines and sensing circuits according to examples of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0012] Figure 4A A touch screen having touch electrodes arranged in rows and columns according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 4B A touch screen having touch node electrodes arranged in a pixelated touch node electrode configuration is shown according to examples of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5A An exemplary touch screen stackup structure including a metal mesh layer according to examples of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 5B A top view of a portion of a touch screen according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0016] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E Various exemplary cells that may be repeated on a touch sensor panel to form vertical and horizontal stripe patterns according to examples of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0017] Figure 7 An example of a touch sensor panel formed of cells according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 8 A metal mesh corresponding to a portion of a unit cell according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description of the examples, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the following description and in which are shown by way of example specific examples that can be implemented. It should be understood that other examples can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed examples.

[0020] The present invention relates to a touch sensor panel / touch screen including touch electrodes in a vertical stripe and horizontal stripe pattern. The vertical stripe and horizontal stripe pattern can improve the touch signal level for touch detection and improve the uniformity of the touch signal when an object moves on the touch sensor panel / touch screen. The touch electrodes in the vertical stripe and horizontal stripe pattern can be formed by a metal grid in a single metal grid layer. In some examples, the "horizontal stripe" can be formed by a group of touch electrode segments interconnected by bridges (formed in a second metal grid layer different from the first metal grid layer) in the active area of ​​the touch screen (the visible area of ​​the display), and multiple horizontal stripes can be interconnected in the border area (outside the visible area of ​​the display) and / or in the active area to form row touch electrodes. In some examples, the "vertical stripe" may also include a bridge. In order to reduce the visibility of these metal grid touch electrodes, in some examples, the boundary between these touch electrodes may be non-linear (where the electrical interruption portion in the metal grid advances along the boundary in a non-linear pattern). In some examples, a virtual cutout (an electrical break in the metal mesh) may be formed within the area of ​​the touch electrode region (eg, while maintaining the same electrical potential for the touch electrode region).

[0021] Figures 1A to 1E An exemplary system that may include a touch screen according to examples of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1A An exemplary mobile phone 136 including a touch screen 124 is shown according to examples of the present disclosure. Figure 1B An exemplary digital media player 140 including a touch screen 126 is shown according to examples of the present disclosure. Figure 1C An exemplary personal computer 144 including a touch screen 128 is shown according to examples of the present disclosure. Figure 1D An exemplary tablet computing device 148 including a touch screen 130 is shown according to examples of the present disclosure. Figure 1E An exemplary wearable device 150 is shown that includes a touch screen 132 and can be attached to a user using a band 152 according to examples of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the touch screen can also be implemented in other devices.

[0022] In some examples, touch screens 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may be based on self-capacitance. A touch system based on self-capacitance may include a matrix of conductive material or a single conductive material plate group that forms larger conductive areas, which may be referred to as touch electrodes or touch node electrodes (as described below with reference to Figure 4BAs described above). For example, a touch screen may include multiple individual touch electrodes, each of which identifies or represents a unique location on the touch screen to sense touch or proximity (e.g., a touch node), and each touch node electrode is electrically isolated from other touch node electrodes in the touch screen / panel. Such a touch screen may be referred to as a pixelated self-capacitance touch screen, although it should be understood that in some examples, the touch node electrodes on the touch screen may be used to perform scans other than self-capacitance scanning (e.g., mutual capacitance scanning) on ​​the touch screen. During operation, an alternating current (AC) waveform may be used to excite the touch node electrodes, and the self-capacitance of the touch node electrodes to ground may be measured. When an object approaches the touch node electrodes, the self-capacitance of the touch node electrodes to ground may change (e.g., increase). This change in the self-capacitance of the touch node electrodes may be detected and measured by a touch sensing system to determine the locations of multiple objects when multiple objects touch or approach the touch screen. In some examples, the touch node electrodes of a self-capacitance-based touch system may be formed by rows and columns of conductive material, and similar to the above, changes in the self-capacitance of the rows and columns to ground may be detected. In some examples, the touch screen may be multi-touch, single-touch, projection scanning, full-imaging multi-touch, capacitive touch, etc.

[0023] In some examples, touch screens 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 can be based on mutual capacitance. A mutual capacitance based touch system can include electrodes arranged as drive and sense lines that can cross each other on different layers (in a double-sided configuration) or can be adjacent to each other on the same layer (e.g., as described below with reference to Figure 4A As described herein). This intersection or adjacent location can form a touch node. During operation, the drive line can be excited with an AC waveform, and the mutual capacitance of the touch node can be measured. When an object approaches the touch node, the mutual capacitance of the touch node can change (e.g., decrease). This change in the mutual capacitance of the touch node can be detected and measured by the touch sensing system to determine the location of multiple objects when multiple objects touch or approach the touch screen. As described herein, in some examples, a mutual capacitance-based touch system can form touch nodes from a matrix of small individual conductive material plates.

[0024] In some examples, touch screens 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may be based on mutual capacitance and / or self capacitance. The electrodes may be arranged in a matrix of small, individual plates of conductive material (e.g., Figure 4B ), or arranged as drive lines and sense lines (e.g., as in touch node electrodes 408 in touch screen 402 in FIG. 1 ). Figure 4AThe electrodes may be arranged in a pattern such as row touch electrodes 404 and column touch electrodes 406 in touch screen 400 in FIG. 1 , or arranged in another pattern. The electrodes may be configured for mutual capacitance or self-capacitance sensing, or a combination of mutual capacitance sensing and self-capacitance sensing. For example, in one operating mode, the electrodes may be configured to sense mutual capacitance between electrodes, and in a different operating mode, the electrodes may be configured to sense the self-capacitance of the electrodes. In some examples, some of the electrodes may be configured to sense mutual capacitance between each other, and some of the electrodes may be configured to sense their self-capacitance.

[0025] Figure 2 An exemplary computing system including a touch screen according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. The computing system 200 may be included in, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a touchpad, a portable or desktop computer, a portable media player, a wearable device, or any mobile or non-mobile computing device including a touch screen or a touch sensor panel. The computing system 200 may include a touch sensing system, which includes one or more touch processors 202, a peripheral device 204, a touch controller 206, and a touch sensing circuit (described in more detail below). The peripheral device 204 may include, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of memory or storage devices, a watchdog timer, and the like. The touch controller 206 may include, but is not limited to, one or more sensing channels 208, a channel scan logic component 210, and a driver logic component 214. The channel scan logic component 210 can access the RAM 212, read data autonomously from the sensing channel, and provide control for the sensing channel. Additionally, channel scan logic 210 can control driver logic 214 to generate excitation signals 216 at various frequencies and / or phases that can be selectively applied to drive regions of touch sensing circuitry of touch screen 220, as described in greater detail below. In some examples, touch controller 206, touch processor 202, and peripherals 204 can be integrated into a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and in some examples can be integrated with touch screen 220 itself.

[0026] It is obvious that Figure 2 The architecture shown is only one exemplary architecture of computing system 200, and the system may have more or fewer components than shown or components in a different configuration. In some examples, computing system 200 may include an energy storage device (e.g., a battery) to provide power and / or communication circuitry to provide wired or wireless communication (e.g., cellular, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). Figure 2 The various components shown in the drawings may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, including one or more signal processing and / or application specific integrated circuits.

[0027] The computing system 200 may include a host processor 228 for receiving output from the touch processor 202 and performing actions based on the output. For example, the host processor 228 may be connected to a program memory 232 and a display controller / driver 234 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) driver). It should be understood that although some examples of the present disclosure may be described with reference to LCD displays, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be extended to other types of displays, such as light emitting diode (LED) displays, including organic LED (OLED), active matrix organic LED (AMOLED), and passive matrix organic LED (PMOLED) displays. The display driver 234 may provide a voltage to each pixel transistor on a select (e.g., gate) line and may provide data signals to these same transistors along data lines to control the pixels to display an image.

[0028] The host processor 228 may use the display driver 234 to generate a display image such as a display image of a user interface (UI) on the touch screen 220, and may use the touch processor 202 and the touch controller 206 to detect a touch on or near the touch screen 220, such as a touch input to the displayed UI. The touch input may be used by a computer program stored in the program memory 232 to perform an action, which may include, but is not limited to: moving an object such as a cursor or pointer, scrolling or panning, adjusting a control setting, opening a file or document, viewing a menu, making a selection, executing an instruction, operating a peripheral device connected to the host device, answering a phone call, placing a phone call, terminating a phone call, changing the volume or audio settings, storing information related to telephone communications (such as addresses, frequently dialed numbers, received calls, missed calls), logging into a computer or computer network, allowing authorized individuals to access restricted areas of a computer or computer network, loading a user profile associated with a user's preferred arrangement of a computer desktop, allowing access to web page content, launching a specific program, encrypting or decrypting a message, etc. The host processor 228 may also perform additional functions that may not be related to touch processing.

[0029] It should be noted that one or more of the functions described herein may be implemented by a memory device (e.g. Figure 2The firmware may be stored and / or delivered in any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus, such as a computer-based system, a system including a processor, or other system that can obtain instructions from an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium" may be any medium (excluding signals) that may contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus. In some examples, RAM 212 or program memory 232 (or both) may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. One or both of RAM 212 and program memory 232 may have instructions stored therein that, when executed by touch processor 202 or host processor 228 or both, may cause a device including computing system 200 to perform one or more functions and methods of one or more examples of the present disclosure. Computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, apparatuses or devices, portable computer disks (magnetic), random access memory (RAM) (magnetic), read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) (magnetic), portable optical disks such as CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R or DVD-RW, or flash memory such as compact flash cards, secure digital cards, USB storage devices, memory sticks, etc.

[0030] The firmware may also be transmitted in any transmission medium for use or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device or apparatus such as a computer-based system, a system including a processor, or other system that can obtain instructions from an instruction execution system, device or apparatus and execute instructions. In the context of this article, a "transmission medium" can be any medium that can transmit, propagate or transmit a program for use or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device or apparatus. Transmission media may include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared wired or wireless transmission media.

[0031] The touch screen 220 can be used to derive touch information at a plurality of discrete locations of the touch screen, referred to herein as touch nodes. The touch screen 220 can include a touch sensing circuit that can include a capacitive sensing medium having a plurality of drive lines 222 and a plurality of sense lines 223. It should be noted that the term "line" is sometimes used herein to refer to a simple conductive path, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a strictly straight path, but includes paths that change direction, and includes paths having different sizes, shapes, materials, etc. The drive line 222 can be driven by an excitation signal 216 from the driver logic component 214 via a drive interface 224, and the resulting sense signal 217 generated in the sense line 223 can be passed to the sense channel 208 in the touch controller 206 via a sense interface 225. In this way, the drive line and the sense line can be part of a touch sensing circuit that can interact to form a capacitive sensing node, which can be considered a touch picture element (touch pixel) and is referred to herein as a touch node, such as touch nodes 226 and 227. This understanding may be particularly useful when the touch screen 220 is viewed as capturing an "image" of touch (a "touch image"). In other words, after the touch controller 206 determines whether a touch has been detected at each touch node in the touch screen, the pattern of touch nodes in the touch screen where the touch occurs may be viewed as an "image" of the touch (e.g., a pattern of fingers touching the touch screen). As used herein, an electronic component that is "coupled to" or "connected to" another electronic component includes a direct or indirect connection that provides an electrical path for communication or operation between the coupled components. Thus, for example, the drive line 222 may be directly connected to the driver logic component 214 or indirectly connected to the drive logic 214 via the drive interface 224, and the sense line 223 may be directly connected to the sense channel 208 or indirectly connected to the sense channel 208 via the sense interface 225. In either case, an electrical path for driving and / or sensing the touch nodes may be provided.

[0032] Figure 3AAn exemplary touch sensor circuit 300 corresponding to self-capacitance measurement of a touch node electrode 302 and a sensing circuit 314 according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. The touch node electrode 302 may correspond to a touch electrode 404 or 406 of the touch screen 400 or a touch node electrode 408 of the touch screen 402. The touch node electrode 302 may have an inherent self-capacitance to ground associated therewith, and also have an additional self-capacitance to ground formed when an object such as a finger 305 approaches or touches the electrode. The total self-capacitance to ground of the touch node electrode 302 may be shown as capacitance 304. The touch node electrode 302 may be coupled to the sensing circuit 314. Although other configurations may be employed, the sensing circuit 314 may include an operational amplifier 308, a feedback resistor 312, and a feedback capacitor 310. For example, the feedback resistor 312 may be replaced by a switched capacitor resistor to minimize parasitic capacitance effects that may be caused by a variable feedback resistor. The touch node electrode 302 may be coupled to the inverting input (-) of the operational amplifier 308. AC voltage source 306 (V ac ) can be coupled to the non-inverting input (+) of the operational amplifier 308. The touch sensor circuit 300 can be configured to sense a change (e.g., an increase) in the total self-capacitance 304 of the touch node electrode 302 caused by a finger or object touching or approaching the touch sensor panel. The output 320 can be used by a processor to determine the presence of a proximity event or a touch event, or the output can be input into a discrete logic network to determine the presence of a proximity event or a touch event.

[0033] Figure 3B An exemplary touch sensor circuit 350 corresponding to mutual capacitance drive 322 and sense lines 326 and sense circuit 314 according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. Drive line 322 can be excited by excitation signal 306 (e.g., AC voltage signal). Excitation signal 306 can be capacitively coupled to sense line 326 through mutual capacitance 324 between drive line 322 and sense line. When a finger or object 305 approaches a touch node formed by the intersection of drive line 322 and sense line 326, mutual capacitance 324 can change (e.g., decrease). As described herein, this change in mutual capacitance 324 can be detected to indicate a touch event or proximity event at the touch node. The sense signal coupled to sense line 326 can be received by sense circuit 314. Sense circuit 314 can include operational amplifier 308 and at least one of feedback resistor 312 and feedback capacitor 310. Figure 3B The general case of using both resistive and capacitive feedback elements is shown. The sense signal (referred to as V 输入 ) may be input into the inverting input of the operational amplifier 308, and the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier may be coupled to the reference voltage V 参考 The operational amplifier 308 can drive its output to a voltage V o , so that V输入 Basically equal to V 参考 , and thus maintain V 输入 Constant or practically grounded. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in this context, equals may include deviations of up to 15%. Thus, the gain of the sensing circuit 314 may generally be a function of the ratio of the mutual capacitance 324 and the feedback impedance, which is formed by the resistor 312 and / or the capacitor 310. The output Vo of the sensing circuit 314 may be filtered and heterodyned or homodyned by feeding it into a multiplier 328, where Vo may be multiplied by a local oscillator 330 to produce V 检测 . V 检测 may be input to filter 332. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the placement of filter 332 may be varied; thus, the filter may be placed after multiplier 328, as shown, or two filters may be used: one before the multiplier and the other after the multiplier. In some examples, there may be no filter at all. 检测 The DC portion of the signal can be used to determine whether a touch event or proximity event has occurred. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B The demodulation at the indicator multiplier 328 occurs in the analog domain, but the output Vo may be digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and blocks 328, 332, and 330 may be implemented digitally (e.g., 328 may be a digital demodulator, 332 may be a digital filter, and 330 may be a digital NCO (numerically controlled oscillator)).

[0034] Re-reference Figure 2 In some examples, the touch screen 220 may be an integrated touch screen, in which the touch sensing circuit elements of the touch sensing system may be integrated into the display pixel stacking structure of the display. The circuit elements in the touch screen 220 may include, for example, elements present in an LCD or other display (LED display, OLED display, etc.), such as one or more pixel transistors (e.g., thin film transistors (TFTs)), gate lines, data lines, pixel electrodes, and common electrodes. In a given display pixel, the voltage between the pixel electrode and the common electrode may control the brightness of the display pixel. The voltage on the pixel electrode may be provided by the data line through the pixel transistor, which may be controlled by the gate line. It should be noted that the circuit element is not limited to the entire circuit component, such as the entire capacitor, the entire transistor, etc., but may include a portion of the circuit, such as only one of the two plates of a parallel plate capacitor.

[0035] Figure 4AA touch screen 400 having touch electrodes 404 and 406 arranged in rows and columns is shown according to an example of the present disclosure. Specifically, the touch screen 400 may include a plurality of touch electrodes 404 arranged in rows and a plurality of touch electrodes 406 arranged in columns. The touch electrodes 404 and the touch electrodes 406 may be located on the same or different material layers on the touch screen 400 and may intersect each other, such as Figure 4A As shown. In some examples, the electrodes may be formed on opposite sides of a transparent (partial or complete) substrate and formed of a transparent (partial or complete) semiconductor material such as ITO, but other materials are also possible. Electrodes displayed on layers on different sides of a substrate may be referred to herein as double-sided sensors. In some examples, the touch electrodes may be formed on the same layer and may be referred to herein as single-sided sensors. In some examples, the touch screen 400 may sense the self-capacitance of touch electrodes 404 and 406 to detect touch and / or proximity activity on the touch screen 400, and in some examples, the touch screen 400 may sense the mutual capacitance between touch electrodes 404 and 406 to detect touch and / or proximity activity on the touch screen 400.

[0036] Figure 4B A touch screen 402 with touch node electrodes 408 arranged in a pixelated touch node electrode configuration is shown according to an example of the present disclosure. Specifically, the touch screen 402 may include multiple individual touch node electrodes 408, each of which identifies or represents a unique location on the touch screen to sense touch or proximity (i.e., a touch event or proximity event), and each touch node electrode is electrically isolated from other touch node electrodes in the touch screen / panel, as described above. The touch node electrodes 408 may be located on the same or different material layers on the touch screen 400. In some examples, the touch screen 402 may sense the self-capacitance of the touch node electrodes 408 to detect touch and / or proximity activity on the touch screen 402, and in some examples, the touch screen 402 may sense the mutual capacitance between the touch node electrodes 408 to detect touch and / or proximity activity on the touch screen 402.

[0037] As described herein, in some examples, the touch electrodes of a touch screen can be formed from a metal mesh. Figure 5A An exemplary touch screen stackup structure including a metal mesh layer according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. Touch screen 500 may include a substrate 509 (e.g., a printed circuit board) on which display LEDs 508 may be mounted. In some examples, LEDs 508 may be partially or completely embedded in substrate 509 (e.g., components may be placed in recessed portions in the substrate). Substrate 509 may include one or more layers (e.g., composed of Figure 5A5 may include a passivation layer 507 (e.g., a transparent epoxy resin) and a passivation layer 517. The passivation layers 507 and 517 may planarize the surfaces of the corresponding metal grid layers. In addition, the passivation layers may provide electrical isolation (e.g., between the metal grid layers and between the LEDs and the metal grid layers). A metal grid layer 516 (e.g., copper, silver, etc.) may be deposited on the planarized surface of the passivation layer 517 above the display LEDs 508, and a metal grid layer 506 (e.g., copper, silver, etc.) may be deposited on the planarized surface of the passivation layer 507. In some examples, the passivation layer 517 may include a material for encapsulating the LEDs to protect them from corrosion or other environmental exposure. Metal mesh layer 506 and / or metal mesh layer 516 may include a pattern of conductor material in a mesh pattern as described below. In some examples, metal mesh layer 506 and metal mesh layer 516 may be coupled via one or more vias. Figure 5A 500 . The display 500 may be a touch screen 500 that is not shown in the figure, but the border area around the active area of ​​the display may include metal spraying (or other conductive material) that may or may not be a metal grid pattern. In some examples, the metal grid is formed of an opaque material, but the metal grid lines are fine and sparse enough to appear transparent to the human eye. The touch electrodes (and some wiring) may be formed by portions of the metal grid in the metal grid layer. In some examples, the polarizer 504 may be disposed above the metal grid layer 506 (optionally, another planarization layer is disposed above the metal grid layer 506). The cover glass (or front crystal) 502 may be disposed above the polarizer 504 and form the outer surface of the touch screen 500. It should be understood that although two metal grid layers (and two corresponding planarization layers) are shown, in some examples, more or fewer metal grid layers (and corresponding planarization layers) may be implemented. In addition, it should be understood that in some examples, the LED 508, substrate 509, metal layer 510 and / or passivation layer 517 may be replaced by a thin film transistor (TFT) LCD display (or other type of display). Additionally, it should be understood that polarizer 504 can include one or more transparent layers including a polarizer, an adhesive layer (eg, optionally a clear adhesive), and a protective layer.

[0038] Figure 5BA top view of a portion of a touch screen 500 in a diamond pattern according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. The top view shows a metal grid 540 (e.g., a portion of a metal grid layer 506) together with LEDs 508 of the touch screen 500. The LEDs can be arranged in groups of three adjacent LEDs, including a red LED (e.g., red LED 544), a green LED (e.g., green LED 546), and a blue LED (e.g., blue LED 548) to form a standard red-green-blue (RGB) display pixel. Although primarily described herein in terms of RGB display pixels, it should be understood that other touch pixels with different numbers of LEDs and / or different colors of LEDs are also possible. The metal grid can be formed of conductors (e.g., metal grid lines formed of conductive materials such as copper, silver, etc.) arranged in a certain pattern to allow light to pass (at least vertically) through gaps in the grid (e.g., LEDs 508 can be arranged in the LED layer, opposite to openings in the metal grid arranged in the metal grid layer 506 and / or 516). In other words, the conductors of the metal grid layer can be patterned so that the metal grid layer and the LEDs are conceptually flattened into the same layer, and the conductors and the LEDs do not overlap. In some examples, the metal grid lines in the metal grid layer may overlap (at least partially) some of the LEDs in LED 508, but may be thin enough or sparse enough to not block human observation of the LEDs. The metal grid 540 may be formed in a diamond pattern around the LEDs arranged in a diamond configuration. The pattern of LEDs forming display pixels may be repeated across the entire touch screen to form a display. During manufacturing, the metal grid pattern may be repeated across the entire touch screen to form a touch screen with uniform optical properties. It should be understood that the arrangement of the LEDs and the corresponding metal grids are merely examples, and other arrangements of the LEDs and corresponding metal grid patterns are also possible. For example, in some examples, the metal grid may form a rectangular shape (or other suitable shapes, including polygonal shapes, etc.) around a rectangular LED.

[0039] As described herein, touch electrodes and / or wiring may be formed from a metal grid. To form electrically isolated touch electrodes or electrically isolated groups of touch electrodes (e.g., groups of touch electrodes forming row electrodes or column electrodes), the metal grid may be cut (e.g., chemically etched or laser etched, among other possibilities) to form a boundary between two adjacent touch electrodes, between two adjacent wiring traces, or between a wiring trace and an adjacent touch electrode. The cuts in the metal grid may electrically isolate the metal grid forming the first touch electrode (or first group of touch electrodes) from the metal grid forming the second touch electrode (or second group of touch electrodes). Similarly, the metal grid may be cut to electrically isolate the metal grid forming the first touch electrode from the first wiring trace, or to electrically isolate the first wiring trace from the second wiring trace.

[0040] As described herein, in some examples, the touch electrodes can be arranged in rows and columns, formed in the first layer. In some examples, the touch electrodes can be arranged in a pattern of vertical and horizontal stripes. FIG. 6A to FIG. 7 The illustrated column touch electrodes are referred to as "vertical strips," and the row touch electrodes may be formed from interconnected touch electrode segments, which may be referred to as "horizontal strips" (eg, interconnected via bridges). FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E Various exemplary cells that may be repeated on a touch sensor panel to form vertical and horizontal stripe patterns according to examples of the present disclosure are illustrated. Figure 7 Illustrated by Figure 6B An example of a touch sensor panel formed by nine cells (3×3) corresponding to the exemplary cell.

[0041] Fig. 6A An exemplary cell corresponding to a touch node according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. The cell 600 may include a portion of a column touch electrode 602 (corresponding to a "vertical strip") and a portion of a row electrode formed by touch electrode segments 604A to 604F (corresponding to a "horizontal strip"). The mutual capacitance between the column touch electrode and the row touch electrode may change due to the proximity of an object (e.g., a finger) at a touch node corresponding to the cell. The column touch electrode 602 may correspond to an adjacent electrical connection area, including an area surrounding the touch electrode segments 604A to 604F. The touch electrode segments 604A to 604F of the row electrode may be electrically connected using one or more bridges 606A to 606G, which bridge across the neck region 608A to 608D of the column touch electrode 602 between the touch electrode segments 604A to 604F. In some examples, one bridge may be used to interconnect two touch electrode segments (e.g., bridges 606A to 606D). In some examples, more than one bridge may be used to interconnect two touch electrode segments (e.g., bridges 606A and 606E, bridges 606B and 606F, etc.). Bridged touch electrode segments 604A to 604C (e.g., corresponding to a first "horizontal stripe" in a vertical and horizontal stripe pattern) and bridged touch electrode segments 604D to 604F (e.g., corresponding to a second "horizontal stripe" in a vertical and horizontal stripe pattern) may be electrically connected outside of the cell area (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 7exemplified). In some examples, the first horizontal strip and the second horizontal strip can be electrically connected to each other within the cell area (e.g., using a bridge). In some examples, bridges 606A to 606G can be obtained using wire bonds or other conductors formed without using a metal grid layer. In some examples, bridges 606A to 606G can be formed using a metal grid layer (e.g., metal grid layer 516) that is different from the metal grid layer (e.g., metal grid layer 506) used to form column touch electrodes 602 and touch electrode segments 604A to 604F. In some examples, the connection between the metal grid layers can also include vias (or other interconnects) to establish a connection between the first metal grid layer and the second metal grid layer. It should be understood that bridges 606A to 606G may include multiple metal grid lines (e.g., increasing the width of the bridge) to meet the resistance requirements of the row touch electrodes.

[0042] The distribution of touch electrode segments within a cell can improve touch signal levels (and therefore improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for touch sensing) because the mutual capacitance in a single-layer touch sensor panel can be a function of the distance between the driven and sensed touch electrodes. For example, the mutual capacitance along the boundary between the driven touch electrode and the sensed touch electrode can be larger than the center of the two touch electrodes. Therefore, by dividing the row electrodes into multiple horizontal stripes (thereby reducing the maximum spacing between the area of ​​the driving electrode and the area of ​​the sensing electrode in the cell), the signal measured at the cell can be increased relative to other touch electrode patterns (e.g., diamond touch electrode patterns, etc.). The effect of the distributed vertical and horizontal stripe patterns on the mutual capacitance can provide increased modulation between the finger and the sensor. In addition, the distribution of the touch electrode segments can provide improved linearity of the touch signal detected when the object moves on the touch sensor panel (e.g., a more uniform signal measured by the object, regardless of the position of the object on the touch sensor panel). The improved linearity can provide various benefits of improved touch performance, including more precise and accurate touch position detection, reduced shaking, etc.

[0043] Figure 6B An exemplary cell corresponding to a touch node according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. The cell 620 may include a portion of a column touch electrode and a portion of a row electrode formed by a touch electrode segment, as shown in FIG. Fig. 6A As described, the touch electrode 602 includes column touch electrodes, touch electrode segments (e.g., such as representative touch electrode segment 604), and interconnects (e.g., such as bridges 606) above the neck region between the touch electrode segments. For simplicity, the details of these features are not repeated here (and for ease of illustration, only one bridge is illustrated between the segments). Fig. 6ADifferently, the cell 620 may include a buffer zone between a portion of the column touch electrode 602 and the touch electrode segment. The buffer zone may be a floating (or in some examples grounded or driven with an electric potential) conductive material. The buffer zone may reduce the baseline mutual capacitance of the touch node by increasing the distance between the drive area and the sense area. For example, Figure 6B The touch electrode segments 604 in FIG. 6A may be separated from the column touch electrodes 602 on a first boundary by a buffer zone 622A, and may be separated from the column electrodes 602 on a second boundary by a buffer zone 622B. Figure 6B The remaining touch electrode segments illustrated may include similar buffer zones between column touch electrodes 602 and the touch electrode segments. Figure 6B The buffers are illustrated on both sides of each of the touch electrode segments, but it should be understood that in some examples, the buffers may be on fewer sides (one side or no side) or more sides (three sides or four sides) of the touch electrode segments. Increasing the spacing (e.g., surface area and / or width) may further reduce the baseline capacitance, while reducing the spacing may increase the baseline capacitance. In some examples, such as Figure 6B As shown, the neck region may not contain a buffer zone to reduce the impedance of the column touch electrode 602. In addition, although the buffer zone is shown as continuous along the corresponding border of the touch electrode segment, the buffer zone (e.g., buffer zone 622A) may be discontinuous so as to exist in one or more segments along a portion of the border. In addition, although similar buffer zones are shown on all touch electrode segments in the cell 620, it should be understood that different touch electrode segments in the cell may have different numbers of buffer zones or buffer zones with different properties (size, distribution, etc.).

[0044] Figure 6C An exemplary cell corresponding to a touch node according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. The cell 630 may include a portion of a column touch electrode and a portion of a row electrode formed by a touch electrode segment, as shown in FIG. Fig. 6A As described, the touch electrode 602 includes column touch electrodes, touch electrode segments (e.g., such as representative touch electrode segment 604), and interconnects (e.g., such as bridges 606) above the neck region between the touch electrode segments. For the sake of brevity, the details of these features are not repeated here. Fig. 6A Differently, unit cell 630 may include fewer touch electrode segments and fewer interconnects between touch electrode segments. Figure 6C Includes four touch electrode segments instead of Fig. 6A Similarly, Figure 6C consists of two interconnects instead of Fig. 6AReducing the number of interconnects can reduce the baseline mutual capacitance of the touch nodes because the interconnects of bridge 606 can increase the mutual capacitance due to the proximity between the drive and sense regions at these interconnects. In addition, reducing the number of interconnects can reduce the resistance of the row touch electrodes. Although Figure 6C Two interconnects between four touch electrode segments are illustrated, but it should be understood that fewer or more interconnects and touch electrode segments may be used. In some examples, to compensate for Figure 6C Zhongyu Fig. 6A Compared with the number of neck portions reduced (e.g., connecting different portions of the column touch electrode 602), the width of the neck portion can be Figure 6C Relative to Fig. 6A Increase to avoid increasing the resistance of the column touch electrode.

[0045] Fig.6D An exemplary cell corresponding to a touch node according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. The cell 640 may include a portion of a column touch electrode and a portion of a row electrode formed by a touch electrode segment, as shown in FIG. Fig. 6A As described, the present invention includes column touch electrodes 602, touch electrode segments (e.g., such as representative touch electrode segments 604), and interconnects (e.g., such as bridges 606) over neck regions 608 between touch electrode segments. For the sake of brevity, the details of these features will not be repeated here. Fig. 6A Alternatively, unit cell 640 may include a tapered neck region between touch electrode segments. Fig.6D The neck region 608 shown can taper from a first width W1 of the interconnect away from the bridge 606 to a second width W2 at the location of the interconnect of the bridge 606 (or the location of the interconnect closer to the bridge 606). The second width W2 can be less than the first width W1. Therefore, the interconnect of the bridge 606 can be shortened, which can reduce the baseline mutual capacitance of the touch node. However, by tapering the neck region 608, the resistance of the column electrode 602 can be lower than if the entire neck region is narrowed to width W2. Fig.6D The resistor in the configuration is formed as Fig.6D The triangular shaped taper shown is an example of a taper, but any linear, non-linear or other narrowing of the neck region can be used to reduce the size of the interconnect. The neck regions between other touch electrode segments can be tapered with (or without) the same (or different) tapers.

[0046] Fig. 6E 650 illustrates an exemplary cell corresponding to a touch node according to an example of the present disclosure. The cell 650 may include a portion of a column touch electrode and a portion of a row electrode. Fig. 6AUnlike the description of FIG. 6 , the column touch electrodes may be formed of touch electrode segments 602A to 602C, which may be interconnected by bridges 610 in the neck region 608, and the row touch electrodes may be formed of horizontal strips 604A to 604B, each of which may be contiguous (e.g., and may be interconnected in the border region). In some examples, bridges 610 may be implemented using wirebonds or other conductors formed without using a metal mesh layer. In some examples, bridges 610 may be formed using a metal mesh layer (e.g., metal mesh layer 516) that is different from the metal mesh layer (e.g., metal mesh layer 506) used to form column touch electrode segments 602A to 602C and row touch electrode horizontal strips 604A to 604B. In some examples, the connection between the metal mesh layers may also include vias (or other interconnects) to establish a connection between a first metal mesh layer and a second metal mesh layer. It should be understood that the bridge 610 may include multiple metal grid lines (eg, increasing the width of the bridge) to meet the resistance requirements of the column touch electrodes. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D Other features shown may be implemented for column touch electrodes formed from touch electrode segments (eg, multiple bridges, tapered neck regions, etc.).

[0047] In some examples, neck region 608 may include bridges for both column touch electrodes and row touch electrodes. Some bridges may be used to electrically connect touch electrode segments (e.g., as shown in FIG. Fig. 6A and Fig. 6E For example, the cell 600 may be modified to include a plurality of bridging members, each of which may be used to electrically connect the column touch electrode region or the row touch electrode region to further reduce the impedance of the column touch electrode or the row touch electrode. Fig. 6E The bridge member 610 is similar to the bridge member 610 of FIG. 1 , but electrically connects the column touch electrode 602 area to further reduce the impedance of the column touch electrode 602 (rather than Fig. 6E The column electrode segments are bridged as in Fig. 6A In a similar manner, the cell 650 may be modified to include the column touch electrodes 602 in Fig. 6A In some examples, bridges (in the second metal mesh layer) between different regions of adjacent electrodes (e.g., in the first metal mesh layer) can be confined to the neck region 608, where the narrowness of the touch electrode can be an impedance bottleneck. In some examples, bridges connecting different regions of adjacent electrodes can extend beyond the neck region 608.

[0048] It should be understood that although 6A to Fig. 6ECells 600, 620, 630, 640, and 650 in exemplify two horizontal stripes (two rows of interconnected touch electrode segments) in the cell, but in some examples, the number of horizontal stripes may be greater than two (e.g., three, four, etc.) or less than two (e.g., one). It should be understood that cells 600, 620, 630, 640, and 650 are exemplary cells. The number and size of touch electrode segments, the number and size of interconnects between touch electrode segments (and between portions of column touch electrodes), and the thickness and size of the neck region may vary based on design considerations, including trade-offs between the impedance of the row and / or column touch electrodes and the baseline capacitance of the cell, including the amount required for the touch signal, and including the linearity of the touch signal on the touch sensor panel. Although described separately above, FIG. 6A to FIG. 6E In some examples, one or more features illustrated in can be combined. For example, Fig. 6A Multiple bridges, Figure 6B buffer, Figure 6C A reduced number of interconnects, and / or Fig.6D The shape (size) of the neck region of the touch electrodes is shown as being adjacent and the row touch electrodes are shown as being formed by touch electrode segments, but in some examples, the row touch electrodes may be adjacent and the column touch electrodes may be formed by touch electrode segments. It should be understood that although the cells 600, 620, 630, 640, and 650 have a uniform width, the width of the "horizontal stripes" or "vertical stripes" in the cells may not be uniform.

[0049] Figure 7 An example of a touch sensor panel formed of cells according to an example of the present disclosure is illustrated. For example, the touch sensor panel 700 may include nine cells corresponding to the cell 710 (3×3 touch nodes) with Figure 6B For the sake of brevity, reference is not repeated. Figure 6B The details of the cell. Figure 7 As shown, touch sensor panel 700 may include three column touch electrodes 702A to 702C ("vertical strips") that may be driven during touch sensing operations (e.g., by drive signals provided by routing traces labeled "DRV_N-1," "DRV_N," and "DRV_N+1"). Touch sensor panel 700 may also include three row touch electrodes. Figure 7Each of the illustrated row touch electrodes may include two "horizontal strips" formed by touch electrode segments 704. The touch electrode segments 704 of each "horizontal strip" may be interconnected within the touch sensor panel active area (e.g., within the visible area of ​​a display in a touch screen) by bridges 706 (e.g., metal mesh). Figure 7 , one bridge 706 is illustrated between the touch electrode segments, but it should be understood that additional bridges may be used to improve electrostatic discharge protection, improve mechanical and / or electrical reliability of the connection, and / or reduce the impedance of the row touch electrodes. Figure 7 , but additional bridges may be used (e.g., as shown in reference Fig. 6E The same or similar benefits are provided for the column touch electrodes as illustrated and described above. The two "horizontal strips" of the row electrodes may be connected in a border area (e.g., outside the active area of ​​the touch sensor panel / outside the visible area of ​​the display) by conductive traces (e.g., metal mesh or other means). Each row electrode may be sensed during a touch sensing operation (e.g., by a sensing channel coupled to a routing trace labeled "SNS_N-1," "SNS_N," "SNS_N+1"). The adjacency of a corresponding column touch electrode and a corresponding row touch electrode may form a corresponding touch node / cell of the touch sensor panel 700.

[0050] although Figure 6B An exemplary cell of is shown as cell 710 (eg, including a buffer), but it should be understood that alternative cells may be used, such as Fig. 6A , 6C , 6D, 6E or Figures 6A to 6E Some combination of some or all of the cells of (or other cells according to the features described herein). In addition, although a 3x3 cell group is shown, it should be understood that the panel can have smaller or larger sizes (e.g., 2x2, 4x4, 5x5, 10x10, 16x16, etc.). In addition, although Figure 7 The driven column touch electrodes and the sensed row touch electrodes are illustrated, but in some examples, the row touch electrodes may be driven and the column touch electrodes may be sensed.

[0051] although FIG. 6A to FIG. 7 Rectangular electrodes are illustrated for row and column touch electrodes with linear boundaries, it being understood that due to the pattern of the metal grid and to reduce the visibility of the metal grid, the actual shape of the touch electrodes and their boundaries may not be rectangular. Figure 8 The example corresponding to the example of the present disclosure is illustrated. Fig. 6A For example, the metal grid 800 may correspond to a portion of a cell. Fig. 6AThe metal grid 800 may include a first metal grid portion 802 corresponding to the column touch electrode 602 and a second metal grid portion 804A to 804C corresponding to the touch electrode segments 604A to 604C. Due to the diamond pattern (with a 45 degree angle) and to reduce the visibility of the border of the touch electrode, the first metal grid portion and the second metal grid portion may be non-linear along the border. In some examples, the border between the touch electrodes may be a zigzag or wavy pattern. For example, as Figure 8 As illustrated, the boundary between the first metal mesh portion 802 and the second metal mesh portion 804B may have a zigzag pattern, wherein the lengths of the segments 812 and 814 may each be the length of three metal mesh lines. Figure 8 The other illustrated borders implement similar patterns (with slight changes at the corners to achieve continuity, depending on the geometry of the pattern). It should be understood that the lengths of segments 812 and 814 are exemplary, and other lengths are possible. In addition, the lengths may be different at different points along the border, or between two different borders. In some examples, the zigzag pattern may be defined by other parameters rather than defining the pattern by the lengths of segments such as segments 812 and 814.

[0052] The touch electrodes (and buffers) may be formed by a metal mesh in a metal mesh layer (e.g., corresponding to metal mesh layer 506) through a cutout or electrical interruption in a metal mesh line between the touch electrodes (and / or buffers). In some examples, the cutout or electrical interruption may be formed at a midpoint of a metal mesh line (or otherwise divide one or more metal mesh lines) rather than having a cutout or electrical interruption at the vertices of two metal mesh lines in a metal mesh pattern.

[0053] In some examples, the virtual cutout can further reduce the visibility of the metal mesh boundary cutout. The virtual cutout can interrupt an electrical path between two parts of the metal grid (on either side of the virtual cutout) without electrically isolating the metal grid due to one or more other electrical paths between the two parts of the metal grid (on either side of the virtual cutout). In other words, regardless of the internal cutout, these parts of the metal grid can still be maintained at substantially the same potential because these parts of the metal grid are electrically connected. For example, a virtual cutout can be made within the first metal grid portion 802 and / or the second metal grid portion 804A to 804C, which forms a physical spacing in the metal grid without electrically separating the metal grids in each corresponding portion. In some examples, the virtual cutout can form a pattern that can be repeated across each electrode in the touch electrode. For example, a virtual cutout unit (e.g., a pattern of interrupted portions) can be defined, and the virtual cutout unit can be repeated across the entire touch screen to form a virtual cutout. In some examples, virtual cutouts may also be implemented for buffer areas between column touch electrodes and touch electrode segments (eg, buffer areas 622A-622B).

[0054] In some examples, the virtual cutouts in the first metal mesh portion 802 can be limited to certain regions. For example, the virtual cutouts can be excluded or limited in the neck region 808 of the first metal mesh portion 802. In some cases, not including (or limiting) the virtual cutouts in the neck region 808 can be advantageous in reducing the impedance of the column touch sensors (due to the narrower width of the metal mesh in the neck region).

[0055] although FIG. 6A to FIG. 8 Column touch electrodes and row touch electrodes are illustrated as being disposed in a first metal grid layer (e.g., corresponding to metal grid layer 506), and the first metal grid layer may include interconnects in a second metal grid layer (e.g., corresponding to metal grid layer 516), but it should be understood that in some examples, the column touch electrodes may be disposed in one layer and the row touch electrodes may be disposed in another layer (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 4A double-sided touch sensor configuration shown).

[0056] Therefore, according to the above, some examples of the present disclosure are directed to a touch screen, which includes: a display including an active area; a plurality of touch electrodes formed by a metal grid disposed in a first metal grid layer, the first metal grid layer being disposed above the active area of ​​the display; and a plurality of bridges, the plurality of bridges being at least partially formed in a second metal grid layer different from the first metal grid layer. The plurality of touch electrodes may include one or more adjacent column touch electrodes, and may include one or more row touch electrodes formed by a plurality of touch electrode segments. A bridge in the plurality of bridges may electrically couple two touch electrode segments in the touch electrode segments along a first axis parallel to the one or more row touch electrodes. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, one of the one or more row touch electrodes may include a two-dimensional array of touch electrode segments in the plurality of touch electrode segments. A first group of touch electrode segments disposed along the first axis may be electrically coupled by one or more first bridges of the plurality of bridges, and a second group of touch electrode segments that are different from and disposed in parallel with the first group of touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled by one or more second bridges of the plurality of bridges. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the first group of touch electrode segments and the second group of touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled via conductors disposed in a border region around an active area of ​​the display. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, a corresponding touch node of the touch screen corresponding to an adjacency of one of the one or more column touch electrodes and one of the one or more row touch electrodes may include three touch electrode segments of the first group, which may be electrically coupled by two bridges of the plurality of bridges, and a second group may include three touch electrode segments of the second group, which may be electrically coupled by another two bridges of the plurality of bridges. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, a corresponding touch node of the touch screen corresponding to the adjacency of one of the one or more column touch electrodes and one of the one or more row touch electrodes may include two touch electrode segments of the first group of two touch electrode segments, the two touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled by a first bridge of the plurality of bridges, and the second group may include two touch electrode segments of the second group of two touch electrode segments, the two touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled by a second bridge of the plurality of bridges. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the touch screen may further include: one or more buffer electrodes disposed between one or more portions of the one or more column touch electrodes and one or more portions of the plurality of touch electrode segments. The one or more buffer electrodes may be floating or grounded or driven with an electric potential.In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the neck region between two touch electrode segments in the plurality of touch electrode segments tapers from a first width to a second width less than the first width. The length of the bridge member in the plurality of bridge members that electrically couples two touch electrode segments in the touch electrode segment across the neck region may be greater than or equal to the second width and less than the length of the first width. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, an electrical interruption portion in the metal grid provided in the first metal grid layer may form a boundary between one of the column touch electrodes and one or more of the plurality of touch electrode segments. The boundary may be a zigzag pattern. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the metal grid of one of the column touch electrodes can be at the same potential (or substantially the same potential), and the metal grid of the one of the column touch electrodes can include an electrical interruption portion (virtual cutout) inside the region of the one of the column touch electrodes. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the metal mesh of one of the multiple touch electrode segments can be at the same potential (or substantially the same potential), and the metal mesh of the one of the multiple touch electrode segments can include an electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​the one of the multiple touch electrode segments. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the pattern of the electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​one of the multiple touch electrodes can be repeated across the area of ​​one of the multiple touch electrodes. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the metal mesh of one of the column touch electrodes can be at the same potential (or substantially the same potential), and the first area of ​​the metal mesh of the one of the column touch electrodes can include an electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​the one of the column touch electrodes, and the second area of ​​the metal mesh of the one of the column touch electrodes can not include an electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​the one of the column touch electrodes. The second region may correspond to a neck region between two touch electrode segments among the plurality of touch electrode segments.

[0057] Some examples of the present disclosure are directed to a touch screen, the touch screen comprising: a display including an active area; a plurality of column touch electrodes formed of metal meshes disposed in a first metal mesh layer; and a plurality of row touch electrodes formed of metal meshes disposed in a second metal mesh layer different from the first metal mesh layer. The row touch electrodes (or all the row touch electrodes) of the plurality of row touch electrodes may include at least two electrodes disposed above the active area of ​​the display, and the at least two electrodes may be electrically coupled via a conductor disposed in a border area around the active area of ​​the display.

[0058] Some examples of the present disclosure relate to touch-sensitive devices. The touch-sensitive device may include an energy storage device (e.g., a battery) and / or a (wired or wireless) communication circuit. The touch-sensitive device may include a touch controller and a display controller. The touch-sensitive device may also include a touch screen. The touch screen may include: a display having an active area; a plurality of touch electrodes formed by a metal grid disposed in a first metal grid layer, the first metal grid layer being disposed above the active area of ​​the display; and a plurality of bridges, the plurality of bridges being at least partially formed in a second metal grid layer different from the first metal grid layer. The plurality of touch electrodes may include one or more adjacent column touch electrodes, and may include one or more row touch electrodes formed by a plurality of touch electrode segments. A bridge in the plurality of bridges may electrically couple two touch electrode segments in the touch electrode segment along a first axis parallel to the one or more row touch electrodes. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, one of the one or more row touch electrodes may include a two-dimensional array of touch electrode segments in the plurality of touch electrode segments. A first group of touch electrode segments disposed along a first axis may be electrically coupled by one or more first bridges of the plurality of bridges, and a second group of touch electrode segments that are different from but disposed in parallel to the first group of touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled by one or more second bridges of the plurality of bridges. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the first group of touch electrode segments and the second group of touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled via conductors disposed in a border region around an active area of ​​the display. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, a corresponding touch node of the touch screen corresponding to an adjacency of one of the one or more column touch electrodes and one of the one or more row touch electrodes may include three touch electrode segments of the first group, which may be electrically coupled by two bridges of the plurality of bridges, and a second group may include three touch electrode segments of the second group, which may be electrically coupled by another two bridges of the plurality of bridges. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, a corresponding touch node of the touch screen corresponding to the adjacency of one of the one or more column touch electrodes and one of the one or more row touch electrodes may include two touch electrode segments of the first group of two touch electrode segments, the two touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled by a first bridge of the plurality of bridges, and a second group may include two touch electrode segments of the second group of two touch electrode segments, the two touch electrode segments may be electrically coupled by a second bridge of the plurality of bridges. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the touch screen may further include: one or more buffer electrodes disposed between one or more portions of the one or more column touch electrodes and one or more portions of the plurality of touch electrode segments.The one or more buffer electrodes may be floating or grounded or driven with an electric potential. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the neck region between two touch electrode segments in the plurality of touch electrode segments tapers from a first width to a second width less than the first width. The length of the bridge member of the plurality of bridge members that electrically couples two touch electrode segments in the touch electrode segment across the neck region may be greater than or equal to the second width and less than the length of the first width. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, an electrical interruption portion in the metal grid provided in the first metal grid layer may form a boundary between one of the column touch electrodes and one or more of the plurality of touch electrode segments. The boundary may be a zigzag pattern. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the metal grid of one of the column touch electrodes can be at the same potential (or substantially the same potential), and the metal grid of the one of the column touch electrodes can include an electrical interruption portion (virtual cutout) inside the region of the one of the column touch electrodes. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the metal mesh of one of the multiple touch electrode segments can be at the same potential (or substantially the same potential), and the metal mesh of the one of the multiple touch electrode segments can include an electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​the one of the multiple touch electrode segments. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the pattern of the electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​one of the multiple touch electrodes can be repeated across the area of ​​one of the multiple touch electrodes. In addition to or alternatively to the examples disclosed above, in some examples, the metal mesh of one of the column touch electrodes can be at the same potential (or substantially the same potential), and the first area of ​​the metal mesh of the one of the column touch electrodes can include an electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​the one of the column touch electrodes, and the second area of ​​the metal mesh of the one of the column touch electrodes can not include an electrical interruption (virtual cutout) within the area of ​​the one of the column touch electrodes. The second region may correspond to a neck region between two touch electrode segments among the plurality of touch electrode segments.

[0059] Although the examples of the present disclosure have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that such changes and modifications are considered to be included within the scope of the examples of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A touch screen, comprising: a display having an active area; as well as A plurality of touch electrodes are formed above the active area of ​​the display, including: Adjacent column touch electrodes in the first layer; and A row of touch electrodes, comprising a plurality of touch electrode segments in the first layer; in: The plurality of touch electrode segments include pairs of touch electrode segments having respective first and second sides facing each other; and One or more portions of the adjacent column touch electrodes separate the corresponding first and second sides of the paired touch electrode segments, and the one or more portions include a first portion separating the corresponding first and second sides of the first pair of touch electrode segments and a second portion separating the corresponding first and second sides of the second pair of touch electrode segments. 2 . The touch screen of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of touch electrode segments comprises a two-dimensional array of touch electrode segments.

3. The touch screen of claim 2, wherein the two-dimensional array of touch electrode segments comprises: a first one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments; as well as A second one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments is electrically isolated from the first one-dimensional array within the active area of ​​the display.

4. The touch screen according to claim 3, wherein: The adjacent column touch electrode is a first adjacent column touch electrode between the first vertical boundary and the second vertical boundary; The plurality of touch electrodes further include a second adjacent column of touch electrodes located between the third vertical boundary and the fourth vertical boundary; and A first touch electrode segment of the first one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side is completely within the first area, and the second side is completely within the second area.

5. The touch screen according to claim 3, wherein: The adjacent column touch electrodes are located in a region between the first vertical boundary and the second vertical boundary; a first touch electrode segment of the first one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side; and The first side and the second side are completely located within the region.

6. The touch screen according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a metal grid, and the plurality of touch electrodes are formed by the metal grid, the touch screen further comprising: A plurality of bridges are formed at least in part in a second layer different from the first layer, wherein the plurality of bridges include bridges that electrically couple pairs of the plurality of touch electrode segments of the row touch electrode.

7. The touch screen of claim 6, wherein the plurality of touch electrode segments comprises a two-dimensional array of touch electrode segments, comprising: a first one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments; as well as a second one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments, wherein the second one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments is electrically isolated from the first one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments within the active area of ​​the display, wherein: The first one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments includes a first group of touch electrode segments, the first group of touch electrode segments being electrically coupled by one or more first bridges of the plurality of bridges; The second one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments includes a second group of touch electrode segments electrically coupled by one or more first bridges of the plurality of bridges; and The first one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments is arranged in parallel with the second one-dimensional array of touch electrode segments.

8. The touch screen according to claim 7, wherein: The first group of touch electrode segments are electrically coupled to the second group of touch electrode segments through conductors disposed in a border area outside the active area of ​​the display.

9. The touch screen according to claim 7, wherein: The touch nodes of the touch screen correspond to adjacent portions of the adjacent column touch electrodes and portions of the plurality of touch electrode segments of the row touch electrodes; as well as The portion of the plurality of touch electrode segments comprises: The three touch electrode segments of the first group are electrically coupled via two bridges of the first bridges; as well as The three touch electrode segments of the second group are electrically coupled through two bridges of the second bridges.

10. The touch screen according to claim 7, wherein: The touch nodes of the touch screen correspond to adjacent portions of the adjacent column touch electrodes and portions of the plurality of touch electrode segments of the row touch electrodes; as well as The portion of the plurality of touch electrode segments comprises: The two touch electrode segments of the first group are electrically coupled via a first bridge member in the first bridge members; as well as The two touch electrode segments of the second group are electrically coupled through a second bridge in the second bridge.

11. The touch screen according to claim 1, further comprising: A buffer electrode is disposed between a portion of the adjacent column touch electrode and a portion of the plurality of touch electrode segments, wherein the buffer electrode is floating, grounded, or driven with an electric potential.

12. The touch screen of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a first metal grid layer, and wherein the plurality of touch electrodes are formed by a metal grid in the first metal grid layer disposed over the active area of ​​the display, and the touch screen further comprises: a plurality of bridges formed at least in part in a second metal mesh layer different from the first metal mesh layer, wherein a bridge of the plurality of bridges electrically couples two touch electrode segments of the plurality of touch electrode segments along a second direction; a neck region between two touch electrode segments among the plurality of touch electrode segments, the neck region gradually narrowing from a first width to a second width smaller than the first width; as well as A length of a bridge of the plurality of bridges that electrically couples two of the plurality of touch electrode segments across the neck region is greater than or equal to the second width and less than the length of the first width.

13. The touch screen according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer includes a first metal mesh layer; The plurality of touch electrodes are formed by a metal mesh provided in the first metal mesh layer; The electrical break in the first metal grid layer forms a boundary between a portion of the adjacent column touch electrode and one or more touch electrode segments of the plurality of touch electrode segments, wherein the boundary is in a zigzag pattern.

14. The touch screen according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer includes a first metal mesh layer; The plurality of touch electrodes are formed by a metal mesh provided in the first metal mesh layer; The metal grid of a portion of the adjacent column touch electrodes is at the same potential relative to a reference potential; and The metal mesh of the portion of the adjacent column touch electrode includes an electrical interruption portion within an area of ​​the portion of the adjacent column touch electrode.

15. The touch screen according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer includes a first metal mesh layer; The plurality of touch electrodes are formed by a metal mesh provided in the first metal mesh layer; The metal meshes of the touch electrode segments of the plurality of touch electrode segments of the adjacent column touch electrodes are at the same potential relative to a reference potential; and The metal mesh of the touch electrode segment of the plurality of touch electrode segments of the adjacent column touch electrode includes an electrical interruption portion inside an area of ​​the touch electrode segment of the plurality of touch electrode segments. 16 . The touch screen of claim 1 , wherein a pattern of the electrical interruption portion inside an area of ​​a touch electrode among the plurality of touch electrodes is repeated across an area of ​​the touch electrode among the plurality of touch electrodes.

17. The touch screen according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer includes a first metal mesh layer; The plurality of touch electrodes are formed by a metal mesh provided in the first metal mesh layer; The metal grid of a portion of the adjacent column touch electrodes is at the same potential relative to a reference potential; and The first area of ​​the metal mesh adjacent to the portion of the column touch electrode includes an electrical break within the area adjacent to the portion of the column touch electrode; The second area of ​​the metal mesh adjacent to the portion of the column touch electrode does not include an electrical break within the area adjacent to the portion of the column touch electrode; and The second area corresponds to a neck area between two touch electrode segments among the plurality of touch electrode segments.

18. A touch-sensitive device comprising: Energy storage equipment; Communication circuits; Touch controller; as well as A touch screen according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A touch sensor panel comprising: A plurality of touch electrodes are formed over the active area of ​​the display, including: Adjacent column touch electrodes in the first layer; and A row of touch electrodes, comprising a plurality of touch electrode segments in the first layer; in: The plurality of touch electrode segments include pairs of touch electrode segments having respective first and second sides facing each other; and One or more portions of the adjacent column touch electrodes separate the corresponding first and second sides of the paired touch electrode segments, and the one or more portions include a first portion separating the corresponding first and second sides of the first pair of touch electrode segments and a second portion separating the corresponding first and second sides of the second pair of touch electrode segments.

20. A touch sensor panel, comprising: Multiple touch electrodes, including: contiguous column touch electrodes formed from the metal grid in the first layer; and A row touch electrode comprising a plurality of touch electrode segments formed by the metal grid in the first layer; in: At least a first segment of the plurality of touch electrode segments is surrounded by portions of the adjacent column electrodes; and A boundary between the first segment of the plurality of touch electrode segments and the portion of the adjacent column electrode includes a zigzag pattern.

21. A touch screen, comprising: a display having an active area; as well as A plurality of touch electrodes are formed above the active area of ​​the display, comprising: one or more adjacent columns of touch electrodes extending in a first direction in the first layer; and one or more row touch electrodes, including a first row touch electrode, the one or more row touch electrodes comprising a plurality of touch electrode segments in the first layer, the plurality of touch electrode segments extending in a second direction different from the first direction; in: Each pair of touch electrode segments of the first row of touch electrodes arranged along the first direction has a corresponding first side and a second side facing each other; and One or more portions of the one or more adjacent column touch electrodes are arranged between the corresponding first and second sides of each pair of touch electrode segments of the first row of touch electrodes arranged along the first direction, and the one or more portions include: at least a first portion of one of the one or more adjacent column touch electrodes, the at least first portion being arranged between the corresponding first and second sides of a first pair of touch electrode segments of the first row of touch electrodes arranged along the first direction, and at least a second portion of the one of the one or more adjacent column touch electrodes, the at least second portion being arranged between the corresponding first and second sides of a second pair of touch electrode segments of the first row of touch electrodes arranged along the first direction.

22. A touch screen, comprising: a display having an active area and a border area; as well as A plurality of touch electrodes are formed above the active area of ​​the display, comprising: Adjacent column touch electrodes in the first layer; and A row of touch electrodes, comprising a plurality of touch electrode segments in the first layer; in: The plurality of touch electrode segments include: a first plurality of touch electrode segments and a second plurality of touch electrode segments, wherein the first plurality of touch electrode segments include a first pair of touch electrode segments, and the second plurality of touch electrode segments include a second pair of touch electrode segments, wherein: The first plurality of touch electrode segments and the second plurality of touch electrode segments are interconnected in the border area, The first pair of touch electrode segments are interconnected in the active area, The second pair of touch electrode segments are interconnected in the active area.

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