Preventing or reducing corrosion on sensor conductor tracks

Abstract

System (100), which includes: a touch sensor (130) comprising one or more electrodes, one or more connecting islands (154, 160) that are electrically connected to one or more electrodes, a protective coating (190) formed over one or more connecting islands (154, 160), and a circuit (170) which is electrically connected to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) so that signals can be communicated from the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) to the circuit (170), wherein the protective coating (190) covers an entire surface of each of the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) facing the circuit (170), as well as the spaces between the surfaces, the circuit (170) is mechanically and electrically connected to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) via a film (158), and the protective coating (190) has such a thickness that when the circuit (170) is electrically connected to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160), conductive particles of the film (158) penetrate the protective coating (190) and establish an electrical connection between the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) and the circuit (170).

Description

background

[0001] A touch sensor can detect the presence and position of a touch or the proximity of an object (such as a user's finger or a stylus) within a touch-sensitive area of ​​the sensor, which is, for example, placed over a display screen. In a touch-sensitive display application, the touch sensor allows a user to interact directly with the displayed content on the screen, rather than indirectly via a mouse or touchpad. A touch sensor can be attached to, or incorporated into, a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, PDA, smartphone, satellite navigation device, portable media player, handheld game console, information terminal, vending machine, or other suitable device. A control panel on a household appliance or other device may also contain a touch sensor.

[0002] There are various types of touch sensors, such as resistive touchscreens, surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreens, and capacitive touchscreens. A reference to a touch sensor can also refer to a touchscreen, and vice versa. When an object touches or approaches the surface of a capacitive touchscreen, a change in capacitance occurs at the point of contact or approach. A touch sensor control device can process this change in capacitance to determine its position on the touchscreen.

[0003] Known touch sensors for detecting touch input contain interconnects. These interconnects provide an interface to one or more components for processing the signals detected by the touch sensors (e.g., double-sided sensors), such as flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs). Parts of such components (like the interconnect area of ​​an FPC) are positioned between the touch sensors and a touch lens / substrate, which can lead to certain problems. One such problem is that moisture can penetrate through gaps between the screen and the touch sensor, leading to oxidation and / or corrosion of the interconnects, which in turn impairs the sensor's function. Another problem can arise from the sensor electrodes (i.e., the sensor electrodes) becoming damaged or corroded.(Connecting islands, fine lines of a metal mesh, conductor tracks) can also react chemically with adhesives conventionally used for attaching various components of a sensor system, which in turn can lead to oxidation and / or corrosion of the connecting islands.

[0004] Touch sensors known from the prior art are disclosed in US 2011 / 0298750 A1 and US 2011 / 0050636 A1. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system used in a touchscreen device with capacitively coupled connection islands. Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment for manufacturing a touch sensor system. Fig. Figure 4 shows an example of a touchscreen system. Description of exemplary embodiments

[0005] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system 100 used in a touchscreen device with capacitively coupled connection islands. The system 100 comprises a touch sensor 130. Connection islands 154 and 160 are connected to the touch sensor 130. A cover 110 is connected to the touch sensor 130 via an adhesive 120. A circuit 170 can be electrically connected to the connection islands 154 and 160, respectively, using connection islands 180 and 182. In some embodiments, the touch sensor 130 can be configured to detect touches on the cover 110 (e.g., touches by one or more fingers or by a stylus are capacitively detected) and to generate signals representing the detection. The connection islands 160 can be electrically connected to parts of the touch sensor 130 (such as electrodes) arranged along an axis (e.g., the X-axis).The connection islands 154 can be electrically connected to parts of the touch sensor 130 (such as electrodes) that are arranged along another axis (e.g., the Y-axis). The connection islands 154 and 160 can transmit signals to the circuit 170.

[0006] In some embodiments, the cover 110 can be made of a material that allows for the detection of touches on the cover 110. For example, the cover 110 can be made of an elastic material suitable for repeated contact, such as glass, polycarbonate, or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The cover 110 can be clear or opaque, or have one or more suitable degrees of opacity. In a non-limiting example, the cover 110 can have a thickness of approximately 1 mm. However, according to the invention, any other suitable cover made of any suitable material can also be used.

[0007] In some embodiments, the adhesive 120 can be made of an optically clear adhesive (OCA). However, adhesives with other opacity levels than adhesive 120 can also be used. The adhesive 120 can consist of any suitable material (or any suitable combination of materials) with which the touch sensor 130 can be attached to the cover 110 and the circuit 170. In a non-limiting example, the adhesive 120 can have a thickness of approximately 0.05 mm.

[0008] In some embodiments, the connection islands 180 and 182 of the circuit 170 can be connected to the connection islands 154 and 160 using a film 158. The film 158 can be electrically conductive and can promote the adhesion of the connection islands 180 and 182 to the connection islands 154 and 160. In one example, the film 158 can be implemented using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) or an anisotropic conductive paste (ACP).

[0009] In some embodiments, the touch sensor 130 can comprise one or more electrodes configured to detect touches on the surface of the cover 110. The touch sensor 130 can be a single-sided touch sensor or a double-sided touch sensor, such as a double-sided fine line metal (FLM) touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor 130 can be configured such that electrodes arranged along one axis (e.g., the Y-axis) can be present on one surface of the touch sensor 130, and electrodes arranged along another axis (e.g., the X-axis) can be present on another surface of the touch sensor 130. In another example, the touch sensor 130 can be configured such that the electrodes arranged along one axis (e.g., the Y-axis) are located on the same surface of the touch sensor 130 (e.g.,on the surface facing the cover 110) such as the electrodes arranged along another axis (e.g. the X-axis).

[0010] One or more parts of the substrate of the touch sensor 130 can be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another suitable material. According to the invention, any suitable substrate with any suitable parts made of any suitable material can be used. In certain embodiments, the driver or measuring electrodes in the touch sensor 130 can be made entirely or partially of indium tin oxide (ITO). In certain embodiments, the driver or measuring electrodes in the touch sensor 130 can be made of fine lines of metal or another conductive material. In a non-limiting example, one or more parts of the conductive material can consist of copper or a copper-based material and have a thickness of approximately 2 µm or less and a width of approximately 5 µm or less.In another example, one or more parts of the conductive material can consist of silver or a silver-based material and have a thickness of approximately 5 µm or less and a width of approximately 10 µm or less. However, according to the invention, any other suitable electrodes made of any suitable material can also be used.

[0011] An electrode (driver electrode or measuring electrode) can be a region of conductive material forming a shape such as a circle, square, rectangle, or other suitable shape, or a suitable combination thereof. One or more cuts in one or more layers of the conductive material can (at least partially) form the shape of an electrode, the area of ​​which can be (at least partially) bounded by these cuts. In certain embodiments, the conductive material of an electrode can occupy approximately 100% of the area of ​​the shape. In a non-restrictive example, an electrode can be formed from indium tin oxide (ITO), the ITO of the electrode occupying approximately 100% of the area of ​​the shape. In certain embodiments, the conductive material of an electrode can occupy significantly less than 100% of the area of ​​the shape.In a non-limiting example, an electrode can consist of fine lines of metal or another conductive material (such as copper, silver, or a copper- or silver-based material), wherein the fine lines of the conductive material can occupy significantly less than 100% of the area of ​​the shape in a hatched, mesh-like, or other suitable pattern. Specific electrodes made of a particular conductive material in specific shapes and with specific fillings in specific patterns are described here, but the invention can also use any other suitable electrodes made of any suitable conductive material with any suitable shapes and with any suitable fillings in any suitable patterns. The shapes of the electrodes (or other elements) of a touch sensor can form one or more macro features of the touch sensor, either completely or partially.One or more properties of the implementation of these shapes (such as the conductive materials, fillings, or patterns in the shapes) can fully or partially constitute one or more micro-features of the touch sensor. One or more macro-features of the touch sensor can determine one or more properties of its function, and one or more micro-features of the touch sensor can determine one or more optical properties of the touch sensor, such as transmittance, refraction, or reflection.

[0012] The Touch Sensor 130 can implement a capacitive form of touch detection. In a counter-capacitance implementation, the Touch Sensor 130 can include an array of driver and sensing electrodes forming an array of capacitive nodes. A driver electrode and a sensing electrode can form a capacitive node. The driver and sensing electrodes of the capacitive node can be in close proximity but do not make electrical contact with each other. Instead, the driver and sensing electrodes can be capacitively coupled via an interposed dielectric material. A pulsed or alternating voltage applied to the driver electrode can induce a charge at the sensing electrode, the amount of which can be subject to external influences (such as touch or the proximity of an object).When an object touches or comes close to the capacitive node, a change in capacitance can occur at the capacitive node, requiring a control device (not included). Fig. (1 shown) can measure the change in capacitance. By measuring changes in capacitance across the entire arrangement, the control device can determine the position of the touch or proximity in the touch-sensitive area(s) of the touch sensor 130.

[0013] In a self-capacitance implementation, the touch sensor 130 can comprise an arrangement of electrodes of a single type, each of which can form a capacitive node. When an object touches or comes near a capacitive node, a change in the self-capacitance at the capacitive node can occur. A control device can measure this change in capacitance, for example, as a change in the amount of charge required to raise the voltage at the capacitive node by a predetermined amount. As with a counter-capacitance implementation, the control device can determine the position of the touch or proximity in the touch-sensitive area(s) of the touch sensor 130 by measuring changes in capacitance across the entire arrangement. However, according to the invention, any other suitable form of capacitive touch detection can also be used.

[0014] In certain embodiments, one or more driver electrodes can collectively form a driver line extending horizontally, vertically, or in any other suitable orientation. Similarly, one or more measuring electrodes can collectively form a measuring line extending horizontally, vertically, or in any other suitable orientation. In certain embodiments, the driver lines can be substantially perpendicular to the measuring lines. A reference to a driver line can also refer to one or more driver electrodes within the driver line, or vice versa. Similarly, a reference to a measuring line can also refer to one or more measuring electrodes within the measuring line, or vice versa.

[0015] In the touch sensor 130, driver electrodes can be arranged in a pattern on one side of a substrate, and measuring electrodes can be arranged in a pattern on the other side of the substrate. However, both the driver electrodes and the measuring electrodes can also be arranged in patterns on the same side of the touch sensor 130 (if the touch sensor 130 is implemented as a single-sided touch sensor). The intersection of a driver electrode with a measuring electrode can form a capacitive node. Such an intersection can be a position where the driver electrode and the measuring electrode "cross" each other, i.e., where they are closest to each other in their respective planes. The driver and measuring electrodes do not make electrical contact with each other but are capacitively coupled to each other at the intersection via a dielectric.This document describes specific configurations of certain electrodes for forming specific nodes, but the invention can also use any other suitable configurations of any suitable electrodes for forming any suitable nodes.

[0016] In some embodiments, the circuit 170 can be implemented using a flexible printed circuit board. Any suitable set of materials and / or components can be used to implement a circuit 170 that allows signals to be supplied to the touch sensor 130 (via the connection islands 154 and 160) and signals to be received from the touch sensor 130 (via the connection islands 154 and 160). The circuit 170 can be combined with other components, subsystems, or systems (not shown in the diagram). Fig. 1 shown) be connected, which can determine the signals for sending to the touch sensor 130 and / or determine how signals received from the touch sensor 130 are processed.

[0017] As described above, a change in capacitance at a capacitive node of the touch sensor 130 can indicate a touch or proximity input at the location of the capacitive node. A control unit can detect and process the change in capacitance to determine the presence and location of the touch or proximity input. The control unit can then communicate information regarding the touch or proximity input to one or more other components (such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) or digital signal processors (DSPs)) of a device containing the touch sensor 130, enabling the components to respond to the touch or proximity input by initiating a function of the device (or an application running on the device).This describes a specific control device with specific functions in relation to a specific device and a specific touch sensor, but any other suitable control device with any suitable functions in relation to any suitable device and any suitable touch sensor can also be used.

[0018] In some embodiments, conductive traces arranged on the substrate of the touch sensor 130 can connect the driver or measuring electrodes of the touch sensor 130 to connection islands 154 and 160, which are also arranged on the substrate of the touch sensor 130. The conductive traces can extend in and around (e.g., at the edges) the touch-sensitive area(s) of the touch sensor 130. Certain conductive traces can provide driver connections for connecting the circuit 170 to the driver electrodes of the touch sensor 130, through which the circuit 170 can supply driver signals to the driver electrodes. Other conductive traces can provide measuring connections for connecting the circuit 170 to the measuring electrodes of the touch sensor 130, through which the charge at the capacitive nodes of the touch sensor 130 can be measured.The conductive traces can be formed from fine lines of metal or another conductive material. In a non-restrictive example, the conductive material of the traces can be copper or a copper-based material and have a width of approximately 100 µm or less. In another example, the conductive material of the traces can be silver or a silver-based material and have a width of approximately 10 to 100 µm. In yet another example, the conductive material of the traces can be based on carbon nanotubes and have a width of approximately 100 µm or less. In certain embodiments, the conductive traces can be formed entirely or partially from ITO, in addition to or as an alternative to the fine lines of metal or another conductive material.Specific conductive traces made of specific materials and with specific widths are described here, although the invention can also use any other suitable conductive traces made of any suitable materials and with any suitable widths. In addition to the conductive traces, the touch sensor 130 can include one or more grounding leads that terminate at a grounding terminal (which can be a connection island) at an edge of the substrate of the touch sensor 130 (similar to the conductive traces described above). In some embodiments, the connection islands 154 and 160 can be implemented using a conductive material such as copper and arranged along one or more edges of the substrate outside the touch-sensitive area(s) of the touch sensor 130. The connection islands 154 and 160 can be implemented as conductive traces.

[0019] In some embodiments, the system 100 may also include a protective coating 190 formed over the connecting islands 154 and 160 to protect the connecting islands 154 and 160 from moisture and / or corrosion, which is described in greater detail below.

[0020] Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a method for manufacturing a touch detection system 100. In general, the steps of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The steps can be arbitrarily combined, modified, or omitted, or further steps can be added. Furthermore, the described steps can be performed in any order. In some embodiments, the steps described below can be performed in any suitable combination of those above with reference to Fig. The elements described in section 1 will be executed.

[0021] The process can begin in step 210, in which, in some embodiments, interconnect islands 154 and 160 can be formed on a touch sensor 130. In some embodiments, the interconnect islands 154 and 160 can be formed simultaneously with the network-like conductor tracks on the touch sensor 130. The touch sensor 130 can include electrodes configured to detect touches on a cover (e.g., the cover 110) located near the touch sensor 130. Each interconnect island 154 and 160 can be formed as FLM or printed in silver, allowing the electrodes of the touch sensor to be connected to one or more components that process signals received from the electrodes or route signals to the electrodes.The touch sensor 130 can have electrodes on more than one side of the touch sensor 130, and the connecting islands 154 and 160 can be formed on more than one side of the touch sensor 130.

[0022] In step 220, in some embodiments, a protective coating 190 may be formed over the connection islands 154 and 160. The protective coating 190 may comprise any suitable material configured to prevent the ingress of moisture and / or corrosive chemicals to the connection islands 154 and 160. In some embodiments, the protective coating 190 may be substantially optically clear. In these and other embodiments, the protective coating 190 may comprise PMMA, an organic surface protectant (OSP), acrylic, another polymer, and / or another suitable material. In these and other embodiments, the protective coating 190 may consist of a material selected such that the optical properties (e.g.,the refractive index) is approximately equal to that of the other components of the system 100, so that optical uniformity of the materials and other optical properties is obtained. In some embodiments, the protective coating 190 can be formed not only over the connecting islands 154 and 160, but also completely or partially over the area of ​​the touch sensor 130 containing the electrodes. Fig. Figure 3 shows a protective coating 190 that extends over substantially the entire area of ​​one side of the touch sensor 130, including the area containing the connection islands 154 and 160 (including the areas of the touch sensor 130 between the connection islands). In other embodiments, the protective coating 190 may be formed only locally over the conductor tracks and connection islands 154 and 160 on the touch sensor 130. In these other embodiments, the protective coating may follow the pattern of the conductor tracks and connection islands, being slightly larger than the conductor tracks and connection islands, thus providing protection for the "top surfaces" of the conductor tracks and connection islands (the surfaces facing away from the substrate of the touch sensor) and for the "side surfaces."

[0023] In step 230, in some embodiments, a circuit 170 can be connected to at least some of the connection islands 154 and 160 connected in step 210. In this step, in some embodiments, the circuit 170 can be arranged only on one side of the touch sensor. For example, the circuit 170 can be connected directly only to the connection islands 154 and 160, which are arranged on one side of the touch sensor 130. The circuit 170 can be connected using ACF bonding or ACP bonding. For example, in certain embodiments, the film 158 can be implemented in the form of ACF and ACP spheres that deform upon heating and / or pressure, so that the connection islands 154 and 160 can be electrically connected to the connection islands 180 and 182.In such embodiments, the protective coating 190 can be sufficiently thin to allow the film 158 to penetrate it, establishing electrical connections via the conductive particles of the film 158 between the connection islands 154 and 160 of the touch sensor 130 and the connection islands 180 and 182 of the circuit 170, while further protecting the connection islands 154 and 160 from moisture and / or corrosion. During operation, the film 158 can permit a galvanic current flow between the connection islands 154 and 160 and the connection islands 180 and 182 of the circuit 170. In addition to the electrical connection of the connection islands 154 and 160 to the connection islands 180 and 182, the film 158 can also be used to mechanically connect the circuit 170 to the touch sensor 130.

[0024] In step 240, a cover 110 can be attached in some embodiments. The cover 110 can be attached to the touch sensor 130 using an adhesive 120.

[0025] In step 250, in some embodiments, a control device can be connected to the circuit installed in step 230, thereby completing the method. The control device can be configured to analyze signals generated by the touch sensor and / or to generate signals to be sent to the touch sensor. For example, the control device can send a driver signal to specific electrodes of the touch sensor and analyze signals sent by the electrodes that did not receive the driver signal to determine whether a touch has occurred. Examples of the control device connected in step 250 are given below with reference to control unit 480. Fig. 4 explained.

[0026] The above with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. The three steps mentioned can be performed in any suitable order. For example, step 240 can be performed before step 230 or step 220. In another example, step 250 can be performed before step 240. Specific components, devices, or systems are used here to perform the steps of the procedure. Fig. 2 described, wherein the invention also includes any other suitable combination of any suitable components, devices or systems for carrying out any of the steps of the method of Fig. 2 can be used.

[0027] The protective coating 190 can offer advantages over conventional approaches for manufacturing touch sensor systems. For example, conventional approaches involve applying an adhesive to a touch sensor to encapsulate the connection points, after which an opening must be created to connect the circuitry to the connection points. Once the circuitry is connected, a form-fitting coating can then be applied to prevent corrosion. However, in this process, the connection points can come into contact with moisture during the period between creating the openings and applying the form-fitting coating, and consequently corrode. The additional protective coating 190 provides better coverage of the connection points during manufacturing, thereby reducing moisture penetration and thus corrosion.

[0028] Fig. Figure 4 shows an exemplary touchscreen system 400. The system 400 comprises a touch-sensitive panel 420, which is connected to connection islands 430 and a ground 440 via a ground conductor 410, measuring channels 450, and driver channels 460. The driver and measuring channels 450 and 460 are connected to a control unit 480 via a connector 470. In this example, the channel conductors have hot-connected islands 430 to facilitate electrical connection via the connector 470. For example, the control unit 480 can cause a driver signal to be sent to a panel 420 via the driver channel 460. Signals detected in the panel 420 can be sent to the control unit 480 via measuring channels 450. As explained in more detail below, the control unit 480 can process the signals to determine whether an object is in contact with or near the panel 420. As indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. As specified in 4, the measuring channels 450 can be formed in a different layer of the touch screen system 400 than the driver channels 460 and the earth conductor tracks 410.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the panel 420 can comprise a first layer of an optically clear adhesive (OCA) beneath a cover panel. The cover panel can be clear and made of an elastic material suitable for repeated contact, such as glass, polycarbonate, or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). However, the invention can also utilize any other suitable cover panel made of any suitable material. The first OCA layer can be positioned between the cover panel and the substrate containing the conductive material for the driver and measuring electrodes. The panel 420 can also comprise a second OCA layer and a further substrate layer (made of PET or another suitable material).The second layer of OCA can be positioned between the substrate containing the conductive material for the driver and measuring electrodes and the further substrate layer, the latter being positioned between the second layer of OCA and an air gap to a display of a device that includes a touch sensor and a control unit. In a non-limiting example, the top panel can be approximately 1 mm thick, the first layer of OCA can be approximately 0.05 mm thick, the substrate containing the conductive material for the driver and measuring electrodes can be approximately 0.05 mm thick (including the conductive material for the driver and measuring electrodes), the second layer of OCA can be approximately 0.05 mm thick, and the further substrate layer between the second layer of OCA and the air gap to the display can be approximately 0.5 mm thick.A specific number of specific layers made of specific materials and with specific thicknesses are described here, but the invention can also include any other suitable mechanical stack with any suitable number of suitable layers made of suitable materials and with suitable thicknesses. In certain embodiments, the panel 420 can be constructed using the above-mentioned [reference to be added]. Fig. The embodiments described in 1-3 are implemented.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the control unit 480 can comprise one or more integrated circuits (ICs), such as general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, programmable logic devices / assemblies, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or tangible, non-transient, computer-readable storage media on a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The control unit 480 can include a processor unit 482, a driver unit 484, a measurement unit 486, and a storage device 488. The driver unit 484 can supply driver signals to the driver electrodes of the panel 420. The measurement unit 486 can measure a charge at the capacitive nodes in the panel 420 and supply measurement signals indicating the capacitances at the capacitive nodes to the processor unit 482.The processor unit 482 can control the supply of driver signals to the driver electrodes by the driver unit 484 and process measurement signals from the measuring unit 486 to detect and process the presence and position of a touch or proximity input within the touch-sensitive area(s) of the panel 420. The processor unit 482 can also track changes in the position of a touch or proximity input within the touch-sensitive area(s) of the panel 420. The memory device 488 can store a program for execution by the processor unit 482, including a program for controlling the driver unit 484 to supply driver signals to the driver electrodes, a program for processing measurement signals from the measuring unit 486, and other suitable programs.Herein, a specific control device 480 with a specific implementation and specific components is described, but the invention can also use any other suitable control device with any suitable implementation and any suitable components.

[0031] Depending on the specific features implemented, certain embodiments can realize some or all of the following technical advantages. The production of touch-sensitive systems (e.g., touchscreens) can be faster. The production of touch-sensitive systems (e.g., touchscreens) can be more cost-effective than using conventional techniques. Higher yields can be achieved during production. The tools used for production can be simplified. The ingress of moisture into touch-sensitive systems (e.g., touchscreens) can be reduced or completely prevented. The reliability of an interface between a touch sensor and processing components can be improved.Other technical advantages can be realized by a person skilled in the art based on the descriptions and illustrations given herein and with reference to the following claims. Certain embodiments may offer all of the advantages mentioned herein. Other embodiments may offer only some of the advantages mentioned herein. Still other embodiments may offer none of the advantages mentioned herein.

[0032] A reference to a computer-readable storage medium refers to one or more non-transient, tangible, and computer-readable storage media with a specific structure. For example, a computer-readable storage medium may be a semiconductor-based or other integrated circuit (such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), a hard disk, a hard disk drive, a hybrid drive, an optical disk, an optical disk drive, a magneto-optical disk, a magneto-optical drive, a floppy disk, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape, a holographic storage medium, a solid-state drive, a RAM drive, a Secure Digital card, a Secure Digital drive, or any other suitable computer-readable storage medium, or a combination of two or more of the same. However, computer-readable media that meet the requirements of 35 USC are excluded.Section 101 does not permit patent protection. A reference to a computer-readable storage medium excludes transitory forms of signal transmission (such as the propagation of electrical or electromagnetic signals per se) to the extent that these are not permitted for patent protection under 35 USC § 101. A computer-readable, non-transient storage medium may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination thereof.

[0033] The conjunction "or" is to be understood inclusively and not exclusively, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. Therefore, "A or B" means "A, B, or both," unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the conjunction "and" is to be understood as both combining and enumerating, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. Therefore, "A and B" here means "A and B in this combination or each individually," unless the context specifically indicates otherwise.

[0034] The disclosure includes all changes, replacements, variations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments described herein that are comprehensible to a person skilled in the art. Accordingly, the following claims include all changes, replacements, variations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments described herein that are comprehensible to a person skilled in the art.

[0035] When the following claims refer to a device, system, or component in a device or system that is designed, arranged, enabled, configured, activated, operational, or operative to perform a specific function, this refers to the device, system, or component regardless of whether the specific function is activated, switched on, or enabled, as long as the device, system, or component is designed, arranged, enabled, configured, activated, operational, or operative in this way.

Claims

[1] System (100) comprising: a touch sensor (130) comprising one or more electrodes, one or more connecting islands (154, 160) that are electrically connected to one or more electrodes, a protective coating (190) formed over one or more connecting islands (154, 160), and a circuit (170) which is electrically connected to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) so that signals can be communicated from the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) to the circuit (170), wherein the protective coating (190) covers an entire surface of each of the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) facing the circuit (170), as well as the spaces between the surfaces, the circuit (170) is mechanically and electrically connected to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) via a film (158), and the protective coating (190) has such a thickness that when the circuit (170) is electrically connected to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160), conductive particles of the film (158) penetrate the protective coating (190) and establish an electrical connection between the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) and the circuit (170). [2] System (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the circuit (170) is mechanically and electrically connected to the touch sensor (130) via the film (158). [3] System (100) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the film (158) comprises an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) and / or an anisotropic conductive paste (ACP). [4] System (100) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the protective coating (190) is formed over at least a part of an area of ​​the touch sensor (130) which contains the electrodes. [5] System (100) according to claim 4, characterized by that the protective coating (190) has one or more optical properties that are essentially similar to those of the touch sensor (130) and / or an adhesive for mechanically connecting the circuit (170) to the touch sensor (130). [6] System (100) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) has a refractive index that is approximately equal to that of the touch sensor (130) and / or an adhesive for mechanically connecting the circuit (170) to the touch sensor (130). [7] System (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) is not formed over an area of ​​the touch sensor (130) which contains the electrodes. [8] System (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the electrical connection between the circuit (170) and the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) is a physical contact that allows a galvanic current flow between the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) and the circuit (170). [9] System (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an organic surface protectant (OSP) and / or acrylic. [10] System (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) is designed to reduce the ingress of moisture to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160). [11] System (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) is designed to reduce the ingress of one or more corrosive chemicals to the one or more compound islands (154, 160). [12] Procedure that includes: electrical connection of one or more connection islands (154, 160) to one or more electrodes, wherein the one or more electrodes belong to a touch sensor (130), Forming a protective coating (190) over the one or more connecting islands (154, 160), and electrically connecting a circuit (170) with one or more connection islands (154, 160) so that signals can be communicated from the one or more connection islands (154, 160) to the circuit (170), wherein the protective coating (190) covers an entire surface of each of the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) facing the circuit (170), as well as the spaces between the surfaces, the electrical connection of a circuit (170) to one or more connection islands (154, 160) includes the mechanical and electrical connection of the circuit (170) to one or more connection islands (154, 160) via a film (158), and the protective coating (190) has such a thickness that when the circuit (170) is electrically connected to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160), conductive particles of the film (158) penetrate the protective coating (190) and establish an electrical connection between the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) and the circuit (170). [13] Method according to claim 12, further characterized by the mechanical and electrical connection of the circuit (170) to the touch sensor (130) via the film (158). [14] Method according to claim 13, characterized by, that the film (158) comprises an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) and / or an anisotropic conductive paste (ACP). [15] Method according to claim 13, characterized by that the protective coating (190) has one or more optical properties that are essentially similar to those of the touch sensor (130) and / or an adhesive for mechanically connecting the circuit (170) to the touch sensor (130). [16] Method according to claim 13, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) has a refractive index that is approximately equal to that of the touch sensor (130) and / or an adhesive for mechanically connecting the circuit (170) to the touch sensor (130). [17] Method according to claim 12, characterized by, that the electrical connection between the circuit (170) and the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) is a physical contact that allows a galvanic current flow between the one or more connecting islands (154, 160) and the circuit (170). [18] Method according to claim 12, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an organic surface protectant (OSP) and / or acrylic. [19] Method according to claim 12, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) is designed to reduce the ingress of moisture to the one or more connecting islands (154, 160). [20] Method according to claim 12, characterized by , that the protective coating (190) is designed to reduce the ingress of one or more corrosive chemicals to the one or more compound islands (154, 160).

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