Techniques for routing signals using inactive sensor areas of touch sensors and related systems and devices

Abstract

The sensor area of ​​the touch sensor may include an active sensor area and an inactive sensor area. The inactive sensor area may include one or more routing connectors electrically connected to the active sensor area, electrically connected to a connection-forming element, and / or electrically connected to a tracking line. Systems and touch displays may include touch sensors having such sensor areas.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Priority Claim) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 907,247, filed September 27, 2019, entitled "USING INACTIVE REGIONS OF TOUCH SENSORS FOR ROUTING SIGNALS, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND DEVICES," and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 948,270, filed September 10, 2020, entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR ROUTHING SIGNALS USING INACTIVE SENSOR REGIONS OF TOUCH SENSORS AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND DEVICES," the contents and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to capacitive sensors and capacitive sensing systems including the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to capacitive touch sensors and capacitive touch sensing systems that have better charge and / or response times and may enable the use of smaller outer edges (e.g., bezels). [Background technology]

[0003] Touchscreen sensors (e.g., smartphone, tablet, appliance interfaces, etc.), which may be characterized as a transparent conductive layer on a display capable of detecting / responding to touch, are typically arranged in a row / column grid of conductors (e.g., electrically isolated lines of conductive material) sometimes represented as an n x m matrix. Generally, these conductors may be referred to as sensor lines, and may also be characterized as sense lines or drive lines. Each touch sensor may include several connectors on each axis onto which the rows of lines and columns of lines terminate. Such connectors may be externally accessible (e.g., by pins) and may be operably coupled, for example, to a touch controller that includes acquisition and processing circuitry configured to determine information regarding touches detected by the touch sensor.

[0004] While the present disclosure concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim certain embodiments, the various features and advantages of embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure can be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an active sensor region of a touch sensor according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 2A] 2A-2C are schematic diagrams showing two close-ups of nodes of the active sensor area of ​​the touch sensor of FIG. 1 at different magnifications. [Figure 2B] 2A-2C are schematic diagrams showing two close-ups of nodes of the active sensor area of ​​the touch sensor of FIG. 1 at different magnifications. [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an inactive sensor area of ​​a touch sensor according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an inactive sensor area of ​​a touch sensor including electrically connected inactive sensor nodes in accordance with one or more embodiments. [Figure 5]1 is a schematic diagram of an area of ​​a touch sensor including an inactive sensor area and at least one active sensor area, according to one or more embodiments. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor area including an inactive sensor area and an active sensor area, according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch display including inactive and active sensor areas according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch display including inactive and active sensor areas according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch display including inactive sensor areas on two sides of an active sensor area according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 10] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a touch display including a touch sensing system according to one or more embodiments. [Figure 11] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a touchscreen with tracking lines according to the state of the art; [Figure 12A] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a resistance reducing connection. [Figure 12B] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a resistance reducing connection. [Figure 12C] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a resistance reducing connection. [Figure 12D] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a resistance reducing connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one or more embodiments, currents sent to and signals generated by the active sensor area may travel shorter distances, thereby reducing charge and / or response times compared to routing techniques that rely on sending such currents and / or signals to the lateral periphery of the touch sensor and then routing them to a touch controller via tracking lines around the periphery of the touch sensor. Moreover, the size of an outer edge (e.g., a bezel) that covers the periphery of a capacitive touch sensor or capacitive touch sensing system may be reduced because the edge may not need to cover as much routing material for the signals generated by the active sensor area as previously.

[0007] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. However, other embodiments enabled herein may be used, and changes in structure, materials, and processes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0008] The figures presented herein are not intended to be actual illustrations of any particular method, system, device, or structure, but merely idealized representations used to describe example embodiments of the present disclosure. In some cases, similar structures or components in various figures may retain the same or similar numbering for the convenience of the reader. However, similarity in numbering does not necessarily mean that the structures or components are identical in size, composition, configuration, or any other characteristic.

[0009] It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following description of various embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While various aspects of the embodiments may be presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

[0010] The following description may include examples to assist those skilled in the art in practicing the disclosed embodiments. The use of the terms "exemplary," "example," and "for example" means that the associated description is explanatory, and the scope of the present disclosure is intended to encompass examples and legal equivalents. The use of such terms is not intended to limit the embodiments or the scope of the present disclosure to specific components, steps, features, functions, etc.

[0011] Furthermore, the specific implementations shown and described are merely examples and should not be construed as the only way to implement the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified herein. Elements, circuits, and functions may be depicted in block diagram form so as not to obscure the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Conversely, the specific implementations shown and described are merely exemplary and should not be construed as the only way to implement the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified herein. Furthermore, the block definitions and partitioning of logic among various blocks are exemplary specific implementations. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be implemented with numerous other partitioning solutions. For the most part, details regarding timing considerations and the like have been omitted; such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure and are within the capabilities of those skilled in the art.

[0012] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referenced throughout this specification may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof. Some figures may illustrate signals as a single signal for clarity of presentation and explanation. Those skilled in the art will understand that a signal may represent a bus of signals, which may have various bit widths, and that the present disclosure may be implemented with any number of data signals, including a single data signal.

[0013] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor (sometimes referred to herein as a host processor or simply a host) may be a microprocessor, although the processor may alternatively be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. A general-purpose computer including a processor is considered a special-purpose computer, and the general-purpose computer is configured to execute computing instructions (e.g., software code) related to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Embodiments herein may be described in terms of processes that are depicted as flowcharts, flow diagrams, structure diagrams, or block diagrams. While a flowchart may describe operational acts as a sequential process, many of these acts may be performed in a different order, in parallel, or substantially simultaneously. Additionally, the order of acts may be rearranged. A process may correspond to a method, a thread, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, other structure, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, methods disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, software, or both. If implemented in software, functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another.

[0015] Any reference to elements herein using designations such as "first," "second," etc. does not limit the quantity or order of those elements unless such limitation is expressly stated. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to a first element and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be used or that the first element must precede the second element in any manner. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, a set of elements may include one or more elements.

[0016] Elements described herein may include multiple instances of the same element. These elements may be designated generally by a numeric designator (e.g., 110) or specifically by a numeric indicator followed by an alphabetic designator (e.g., 110A) or a numeric indicator with a "dash" (e.g., 110-1). To facilitate the following description, most component element number designators begin with the number of the drawing in which the element is introduced or most fully discussed. Thus, for example, element identifiers in FIG. 1 are primarily in the numeric format 1xx, while elements in FIG. 4 are primarily in the numeric format 4xx.

[0017] As used herein, the term "substantially" when referring to a given parameter, characteristic, or condition means and includes the extent to which one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, characteristic, or condition is met with small variations, e.g., within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. As an example, depending on the particular parameter, characteristic, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, characteristic, or condition may be at least 90% met, at least 95% met, or even at least 99% met.

[0018] As used herein, when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "coupled with" another element, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element, or there may be intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to," there are no intervening elements or layers present. When an element is referred to as "connecting" or "coupling" a first element to a second element, it will be understood that it is connected to the first element and that it is connected to the second element.

[0019] As used herein, when an element is referred to as being "electrically connected" to another element, charge and / or signals may be transferred between the element and the other element, either directly or through intervening elements, if present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly electrically connected" to another element, there are no intervening elements or layers. When an element is referred to as "electrically connecting" a first element and a second element, it is understood that charge and / or signals can travel between the first element and the second element through the element and also through intervening elements, if present. It is understood that the terms "electrically connected" and "electrically connecting" do not require the transfer of actual charge or signals.

[0020] As used herein, the term "line" means a path for transmitting charges and signals and may include one or more examples of wires, circuits, and portions thereof.

[0021] As used herein, reference to the "perimeter" of an area includes the boundary (or portions thereof) of that area and may also include the area immediately inside the boundary, and the area immediately outside the boundary, if the context in which the term is used so dictates.

[0022] For purposes of understanding the embodiments described in this disclosure, a capacitive sensor (which may also be referred to herein as a "touch sensor") may respond to contact of an object (such as, but not limited to, a finger, a stylus, or other detectable object) with or proximity to a touch-sensitive area of ​​the capacitive sensor. In this disclosure, "contact" and "touch" are meant to encompass both the physical contact of an object with the touch-sensitive area and the presence of an object in proximity to the touch-sensitive area without physical contact. Actual physical contact with a capacitive sensor is not necessarily required.

[0023] When an object touches a capacitive sensor, a change in capacitance may occur within the capacitive sensor at or near the touch location. An analog acquisition front end may detect the touch if a certain threshold is met. "Charge-then-transfer" is a non-limiting example of a technique implemented in some touch acquisition front ends to detect capacitance changes, whereby a sensing capacitor is charged (e.g., charged faster or slower) in response to the change in capacitance, and the charge is transferred to an integrating capacitor over multiple transfer cycles. The amount of charge associated with such charge transfer may be converted to a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a digital controller may process these digital signals (typically referred to as a "delta count" or simply "delta") to determine a measurement and / or detect when an object has touched the sensor.

[0024] Self-capacitance sensors (also referred to herein as "self-capped sensors") are capacitive electric field sensors that respond to changes in capacitance to ground. They are typically laid out in arrays of columns and columns that respond independently to touch. By way of non-limiting example, a self-capped sensor may include circuitry that employs repeated charge-and-transfer cycles using a common integrated CMOS push-pull driver circuit with floating terminals.

[0025] A mutual capacitance sensor is a capacitive electric field sensor that responds to changes in capacitance between two electrodes (a drive electrode and a sense electrode). At each intersection of a drive line (also more generally referred to herein as a "transmit line") and a sense line (also more generally referred to herein as a "receive line"), the pair of drive and sense electrodes forms a capacitor. Such a pair of drive and sense electrodes may be referred to herein as an "active sensor node."

[0026] Self-capacitance and mutual capacitance techniques may be used in the same touch interface system and may be complementary to each other, for example, self-capacitance may be used to confirm a touch detected using mutual capacitance.

[0027] As an example, touch sensors may be overlaid with a two-dimensional (2-D) arrangement (i.e., 2-D touch sensors) for a 2-D touch-sensitive surface (e.g., but not limited to, a touchpad or touch display) to facilitate user interaction with an associated device or appliance. An insulating protective layer (e.g., but not limited to, resin, glass, and / or plastic) may be used to cover the touch sensors and may be referred to herein as an "overlay." Such a two-dimensional arrangement, with or without an overlay, may be referred to as a "touch screen." A "touch display" is, by way of non-limiting example, a display (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), thin-film-transistor (TFT) LCD, or light emitting diode (LED) display) that incorporates 2-D touch sensors implemented in a transparent medium above the display, sometimes with an additional transparent medium such as glass in front of the touch sensors.

[0028] Using a non-limiting example of a touch sensor using a matrix sensor approach of mutual capacitance sensors employing charge transfer techniques, drive electrodes may extend in rows on one side of a substrate, and sense electrodes may extend in columns on the other side (e.g., without limitation, the opposite side) of the substrate to define a “matrix” array of N×M active sensor nodes. Each active sensor node corresponds to an intersection of a conductive line of a drive electrode and a conductive line of a sense electrode. The drive electrodes simultaneously drive all of the active sensor nodes in a given row, and the sense electrodes simultaneously sense all of the active sensor nodes in a given column. The capacitive coupling between the drive and sense electrodes (mutual capacitance) or the coupling between the sense electrodes and ground (self-capacitance) may be measured separately at the active sensor node location in response to a capacitance change indicative of a touch event, or both may be measured. For example, if a drive signal is applied to the drive electrode in row 2 and the sense electrode in column 3 is active, the node location is row 2, column 3. Active sensor nodes can be scanned by sequencing through different combinations of drive and sense electrodes. In one mode, the drive electrodes may be driven sequentially while the sense electrodes are all continuously monitored. In another mode, the sense electrodes may be sampled sequentially.

[0029] Using a non-limiting example of a touchscreen using a matrix sensor approach of self-capacitance sensors, electrodes may extend in rows and columns to define a "matrix" array of N x M active sensor nodes. The matrix sensor may be constructed with electrodes for each active sensor node, each electrode being individually addressable, or each row and column may be an addressable electrode, with each active sensor node corresponding to a unique row / column pair. The sensor's electrodes are repeatedly provided with a drive signal (i.e., a time-varying stimulus having any waveform, including, but not limited to, one or more of a square wave, rectangular wave, triangular wave, and sine wave). When an object contacts the sensor, coupling between the object and the electrode increases the current drawn by the electrode, thereby increasing the apparent sensor capacitance, and this increase in sensor capacitance can be detected. For example, if an increase in capacitance is detected while a drive signal is applied to electrode row 2 and electrode column 3, the location of the touch may be row 2, column 3. Interpolation techniques can be used to identify the location between the active sensor nodes. The active sensor nodes can be scanned sequentially by sequencing through combinations of electrode rows and columns.

[0030] By way of non-limiting example, a microcontroller, digital logic circuit, and configurable state machine may be configured to perform the functions of the acquisition circuit and touch controller described herein, including, but not limited to, controlling drive electrodes, monitoring sense electrodes, analyzing capacitive effects on the touch sensor (e.g., but not limited to, detected from measured changes in channel capacitance and / or absolute channel capacitance), and more generally processing and reporting touches.

[0031] An integrated circuit (IC) package containing a microcontroller may provide input and output pins for communicating with a host, as well as firmware to perform techniques and operations, including those described herein, in connection with various embodiments.

[0032] In capacitive touch systems, there is a desire (i.e., an advantage appreciated by the inventors of this disclosure) to minimize the time it takes for a sensor to charge after a drive pulse changes voltage (referred to herein as "charge time"). As a non-limiting example, the report rate of a capacitive touch system decreases (i.e., fewer reports per time interval) as charge time increases. In some applications / uses, the report rate is expected to be above a certain threshold (e.g., 100 times per second, but not limited to). As another non-limiting example, noise couples into the touch measurement during the charge time; the longer the charge time, the greater the opportunity for noise to couple into the touch measurement.

[0033] Various aspects of the capacitive sensor design can affect charge time, including, but not limited to, the resistance (referred to herein as "line resistance") between the output of the touch controller, denoted Rx, and the active sensor node, the capacitive load of the touch sensor (e.g., but not limited to, the capacitive load between the line and the display), etc.

[0034] By ignoring connector elements (e.g., but not limited to, tracking lines), for a single connection drive line, the maximum resistance Rx will be equal to the total resistance of the drive line. For a dual connection drive line arrangement of resistance reducing connections, the resistance Rx will be lower, theoretically on the order of one-fourth of the single connection Rx arrangement (i.e.,

[0035]

number

[0036] One approach to managing charging times is to use reduced resistance connections, such as, but not limited to, double-connecting the sensor matrix, i.e., connecting both ends (e.g., left and right ends for rows, top and bottom ends for columns) of the sensor lines (drive and sense lines) to the touch controller inputs.

[0037] In a touch display, touch sensors are typically located on top of the display to allow a user to "touch" displayed interface elements such as, but not limited to, buttons and sliders, and / or directly manipulate displayed content such as, but not limited to, maps.

[0038] As used herein, the terms "drive lines" and "sense lines" may be used interchangeably with the terms "drive electrodes" and "sense electrodes." As used herein, drive electrodes and sense electrodes may be collectively referred to as "touch electrodes." As used herein, drive lines and sense lines may be collectively referred to as "sensor lines." "Sensor lines" should be understood to encompass drive lines and sense lines unless the context in which it is used dictates otherwise.

[0039] In a typical touch display, the touch sensor covers the entire display surface of the display. To avoid obstructing or degrading the user's view of the display surface, the electrodes of the touch sensor are typically formed using a material that is practically transparent (i.e., nearly or completely undetectable by the human eye). As a non-limiting example, the transparent electrodes may be formed from a conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or a transparent conductive polymer. Depending on the thickness of the ITO layer, as a non-limiting example, a light transmittance of approximately 98% to 99% may be achievable. Increasing the thickness of the ITO layer reduces the line resistance, but at the expense of reduced light transmittance. In particular, the resistance of ITO is typically high compared to metals such as copper or silver.

[0040] If the active sensor area (e.g., including multiple active areas) of a touch sensor does not completely cover the display, the remaining area (or areas) may be formed from "dam" sensor nodes that are not electrically connected and do not respond to touch. Such remaining areas may be referred to herein as "inactive sensor areas." The pattern of the dam nodes may be, but is not required to be, the same pattern as that used in the active touch sensor area.

[0041] Some embodiments generally relate to one or more sensor regions of a capacitive touch sensor. The sensor region may also include one or more active sensor regions and one or more inactive sensor regions. Each active sensor region may include one or more active sensor nodes. Each inactive sensor region may include one or more inactive sensor nodes. The active and inactive sensor nodes of a particular sensor region may be collectively referred to herein as "sensor nodes."

[0042] In some embodiments, one or more sensor regions of a capacitive touch sensor may include first conductors arranged in a first direction and second conductors arranged in a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction. An active sensor node of a sensor region may include two electrically connected first conductors and two electrically connected second conductors. An inactive sensor node of a sensor region may include a group of electrically connected conductors, the group of electrically connected conductors comprising one and only one of: (i) at least two electrically connected first conductors, or (ii) at least two electrically connected second conductors.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an active sensor area 100 of a sensor region of a touch sensor (also referred to herein as a “touch sensor area”) in accordance with one or more embodiments. In the particular example illustrated by FIG. 1 , drive lines including several conductive conductors (also referred to herein as “conductors” or simply “conductors”), e.g., X-lines 102, are arranged in rows, and sense lines, which are conductors, e.g., Y-lines 104, are arranged in columns. The X-lines 102 and Y-lines 104 are supported on a surface of a support structure 108 for the active sensor area 100, such as, but not limited to, a substrate, a display, or a material covering a display. In some embodiments, the active sensor area 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured as a single-layer active sensor area 100 including the X-lines 102 and Y-lines 104 arranged in the same layer as each other, supported by the support structure 108. In other embodiments, the active sensor area 100 may be configured as a multi-layer active sensor area 100 (e.g., but not limited to, a double layer) including X-lines 102 and Y-lines 104 each disposed in different layers (e.g., but not limited to, layers in different parallel planes) relative to one another, with the different layers supported by a support structure 108.

[0044] Each of the X-lines 102 or Y-lines 104 may be formed from a continuous line of conductor, or, in other words, from lines of conductors that are continuously electrically connected. These conductors may be formed from a conductive material that defines one or more areas. Each such area may form a shape such as, but not limited to, a disk, a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a diamond, a rhombus, a thin line, or other suitable shapes, or suitable combinations thereof. One or more cuts in the conductive material forming one or more layers may create (at least in part) the shape of the area, and the area may be bounded (at least in part) by a space. A non-conductive material may be used as a filler in the space formed by the cuts in the conductive material, or may roughly define the shaped area.

[0045] Non-limiting examples of conductive materials include indium, gold, aluminum, copper, tin, alloys, ceramics, and combinations thereof. A non-limiting example of an alloy is indium tin oxide (ITO). In some embodiments, the conductive material may occupy approximately 100% of the area of ​​the feature (sometimes referred to as 100% fill).

[0046] In other embodiments, the conductive material may occupy substantially less than 100% of the area of ​​the shape. As a non-limiting example, an area may be formed from ITO, and fine lines of metal or other conductive material, such as copper, silver, or a copper- or silver-based material (commonly referred to as an "FLM" or "mesh") may be used to "cover" the area. As a non-limiting example, the fine lines of conductive material may occupy approximately 5% of the area of ​​the shape in a diagonal, mesh, or other suitable pattern. While this disclosure describes or illustrates particular lines of conductors comprising particular conductive materials forming particular shapes with particular fills having particular patterns, suitable lines of conductors of any suitable conductive material forming any suitable shape with any suitable fill factor having any suitable pattern are encompassed by this disclosure, including their legal equivalents.

[0047] In the specific example of the active sensor area 100 shown in FIG. 1, the continuous conductors are formed, by way of non-limiting example, with a repeating pattern of conductive material that is generally diamond-shaped (such conductors in FIG. 1 may be referred to herein as "diamond conductors").

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, each such diamond-shaped conductor forming an X-line 102 or a Y-line 104 is electrically connected to each other at the corners of the diamond-shaped conductor. When the active sensor area 100 is oriented as shown in Figure 1, the conductors of a given X-line 102 are connected at adjacent horizontal corners of the diamond, and the conductors of a given Y-line 104 are connected at adjacent vertical corners of the diamond.

[0049] As discussed above, in the touch sensor configuration of the active sensor area 100, the intersections of the X lines 102 and Y lines 104 are active sensor nodes of the active sensor area 100, and in contemplated operation, the node locations may be determined by the electric fields projected from the X lines to the Y lines. The active sensor nodes of the active sensor area 100 may include at least a portion of the plurality of diamond-shaped conductors that are covered by the electric fields projected from the drive lines to the sense lines.

[0050] An active sensor region is an area of ​​the sensor region that includes one or more active sensor nodes, and more specifically, includes the intersection of a first group of electrically connected conductors arranged in a first direction (e.g., but not limited to, a Y-direction, a longitudinal direction, or a vertical direction) and a second group of electrically connected conductors arranged in a second direction (e.g., but not limited to, an X-direction, a lateral direction, or a horizontal direction) that is orthogonal to the first direction. The first group of electrically connected conductors arranged in the first direction are electrically connected in series, and the second group of electrically connected conductors arranged in the second direction are electrically connected in series and electrically isolated from the first group of electrically connected conductors.

[0051] An inactive sensor region is an area of ​​a sensor region that does not include any active sensor nodes. As discussed in connection with one or more embodiments, an inactive sensor region may include one or more inactive sensor nodes. An inactive sensor node does not include an intersection of a first line of electrically connected conductors and a second line of electrically connected conductors, although as the term is used herein, it may include a line that includes several conductors that are continuously electrically connected, but where the two lines do not intersect.

[0052] 2A and 2B show different magnified views of a sensor node 106 in the active sensor area 100 of FIG. 1. The view shown by FIG. 2A, which corresponds to the circled portion of FIG. 1, is of the sensor node 106, and more specifically, a portion of a first line 102-12 of electrically connected conductors (corresponding to drive line X12 in FIG. 1) and a portion of a second line 104-1 of electrically connected conductors (corresponding to sense line Y1 in FIG. 1) that is orthogonal to the first line 102-12. FIG. 2A also illustrates vertically adjacent electrically connected diamond-shaped areas, i.e., first Y conductor 202 and second Y conductor 204, that form a portion of the second line 104-1. FIG. 2A also illustrates horizontally adjacent electrically connected diamond-shaped areas, i.e., first X conductor 206 and second X conductor 208, that form a portion of the first line 102-12. Diamond shaped conductors 202, 204, 206, and 208, as a group, can be understood to generally correspond to an active sensor area or portion thereof.

[0053] In some embodiments, electrically insulating material may be located between adjacent conductors. In the particular example shown in Figure 2A, filler material 210 is located in a portion of the border region between adjacent conductors 202 / 206, 202 / 208, 206 / 204, and 208 / 204. As a non-limiting example, filler material 210 may include a dielectric material that forms a repeating pattern of crosses (e.g., X-shaped regions) that electrically insulate at least portions of the diamond-shaped areas of conductive material of the X-line 102 and Y-line 104 conductors from each other.

[0054] 2B shows a diagram of the circled portion of the sensor node 106 shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B illustrates an area 212 that is the intersection between the first line 102-12 and the second line 104-1. The first X conductor 206 is electrically connected to the second X conductor 208 by, by way of non-limiting example, a continuous extension of the conductive material of the first X conductor 206 and / or the second X conductor 208 extending laterally between the two conductors. The first Y conductor 202 is electrically connected to the second Y conductor 204 by a conductive bridge 214 (e.g., but not limited to, an ITO or metal crossover) that extends across and is electrically isolated from the continuous extension of the conductive material electrically connecting the first X conductor 206 and the second X conductor 208.

[0055] 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an inactive sensor area 300 of a touch sensor, according to one or more embodiments. The inactive sensor area 300 may include several inactive sensor nodes that are fully or partially electrically isolated from other inactive sensor nodes of the inactive sensor area 300, one or more of which may collectively form several inactive sensor areas, including, but not limited to, the inactive sensor area 300.

[0056] To completely electrically isolate an inactive sensor node in an inactive sensor area, including but not limited to, inactive sensor area 300, the conductors of the inactive sensor node may be electrically isolated from all other conductors by gaps or spaces formed in border areas 302 between each electrically isolated conductor (including but not limited to, such gaps or spaces formed by cuts made in the conductive material). In some embodiments, such border areas 302 between the conductors of the inactive sensor node may be filled with a passive material, such as but not limited to, a dielectric material.

[0057] 3 , conductors 316, 318, 320, and 322 form an inactive sensor node substantially at intersection 324 (i.e., the intersection of a first imaginary geometric line drawn through the center points of first conductor 316 and second conductor 320 and a second imaginary geometric line drawn through the center points of third conductor 318 and fourth conductor 322). During operation of a touch sensor including inactive sensor area 300, no capacitive electrical connection is formed at intersection 324.

[0058] 3 , conductors 318, 320, and 322 are completely electrically isolated from adjacent conductors. Conductors 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 located along the periphery of inactive sensor area 300 may be completely or partially electrically isolated from other adjacent conductors. As a partially electrically isolated example, one or more of conductors 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 may be adjacent to and electrically isolated from other conductors in inactive sensor area 300, or may be adjacent to and electrically connected to a conductor (not shown) other than the conductors in inactive sensor area 300. As a non-limiting example, such a conductor may be part of another inactive sensor area (not shown) or an active sensor area (not shown).

[0059] To partially electrically isolate an inactive sensor node in an inactive sensor region, the conductors of the inactive sensor node may be electrically isolated (as discussed above) from laterally adjacent conductors or vertically adjacent conductors, but not both. Correspondingly, the conductors of the inactive sensor node may be electrically connected (e.g., but not limited to, via bridge connectors or extensions of conductive material) to laterally adjacent conductors or vertically adjacent conductors, but not both.

[0060] 4 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an inactive sensor area 400 of a touch sensor, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In the particular example shown in FIG. 4, the inactive sensor area 400 includes several inactive sensor nodes (which may collectively form several inactive sensor areas), some of which are partially electrically isolated from adjacent sensor nodes by electrically insulating gaps 402.

[0061] Inactive sensor node 428 includes laterally adjacent, electrically connected conductors 404 and 406 that are electrically connected by a first connector 420, and includes vertically adjacent, electrically isolated conductors 408 and 410. Inactive sensor node 430 includes electrically isolated, laterally adjacent conductors 410 and 422, and includes vertically adjacent, electrically connected conductors 406 and 412 that are electrically connected by a second connector 424. Inactive sensor node 432 includes electrically isolated, laterally adjacent conductors 416 and 418, and includes vertically adjacent, electrically connected conductors 412 and 414 that are electrically connected by a third connector 426.

[0062] As a non-limiting example, a line comprising a group of consecutively electrically connected conductors, including conductors 404, 406, 412, and 414, may form a portion of an X line (e.g., but not limited to, one of X lines 102) or a portion of a Y line (e.g., but not limited to, one of Y lines 104). As discussed herein, the X and Y lines may correspond to X lines (e.g., but not limited to, horizontally extending drive or sense lines) and Y lines (e.g., but not limited to, vertically extending drive or sense lines) of a touch sensor, respectively.

[0063] 4, the routing connector of inactive sensor area 400 includes inactive sensor nodes 428, 430, and 432, and more specifically, electrically connected conductors 404 and 406, electrically connected conductors 406 and 412, and electrically connected conductors 412 and 414. In the routing connector, conductors 404, 406, 412, and 414 form a group of consecutively connected conductors.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the routing connectors may be for drive or sense lines, as the case may be. Each of first connector 420, second connector 424, and third connector 426 may be, but is not limited to, a bridge, a portion of conductive material (e.g., but is not limited to, ITO material that is not cut or otherwise spaced), and / or a combination thereof. In a group of contiguously electrically connected inactive sensor nodes within an inactive sensor area, such as the group including inactive sensor nodes 428, 430, and 432, each conductor transmitting a signal in a given direction (e.g., but is not limited to, X-direction, Y-direction, horizontal, vertical, lateral, longitudinal, etc.) may be electrically connected only to adjacent conductors transmitting signals in the same direction, with the exception of corner or edge conductors, such as conductor 406, which are electrically connected to adjacent conductors (here, conductors 404 and 412) transmitting signals in an orthogonal direction (e.g., vertical).

[0065] In one or more embodiments of a touch sensor configuration, drive signals sent to and / or sense signals received from an active sensor area (e.g., but not limited to, active sensor area 100 of FIG. 1) may be routed from the drive circuitry and / or to the sense circuitry via one or more inactive sensor nodes of an inactive sensor area, such as inactive sensor area 400 of FIG. 4. One or more sub-areas of the touch sensor area that are in a dormant state, such as in the case of inactive sensor area 300 of FIG. 3, may be utilized to route signals to one or more active sensor areas (e.g., but not limited to, active sensor area 100 of FIG. 1).

[0066] As a non-limiting example, compared to conventional signal routing techniques that rely on routing signals around the periphery of a touch sensor and / or associated display, routing signals through inactive sensor areas located horizontally between the horizontal peripheries of the touch sensor and / or associated display and / or located vertically between the vertical peripheries of the touch sensor and / or associated display can reduce charging times and improve response times due to the shorter distance the signals have to travel. As a further non-limiting example, compared to conventional signal routing techniques, signal routing in accordance with the present disclosure can additionally or alternatively reduce the size of the periphery (e.g., bezel) of the touch sensor and / or associated display because at least some signal carriers that are traditionally located within the periphery, i.e., bezel area, of the touch sensor can instead be located within the touch sensor and / or associated display itself.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor 500 including a sensor area 524 formed on a support structure 526 (e.g., but not limited to, a semiconductor substrate, a printed circuit board, a transparent layer of a display) configured to route signals to drive lines in the active sensor area 502 or from sense lines through the inactive sensor area 504 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0068] The touch sensor 500 includes routing connectors 514 for drive lines in the active sensor area 502 of the sensor area 524, where the drive lines shown in Figure 5 are designated as X0, X2, X4, X6...X18. In the particular example shown in Figure 5, routing connector 514-0 is associated with drive line X0, routing connector 514-2 is associated with drive line X2, etc., such that routing connector 514-18 is associated with drive line X18. As discussed herein, the routing connectors 514 may be formed from inactive sensor nodes in the inactive sensor area 504 of the sensor area 524, here the inactive sensor nodes of the inactive sensor area 504.

[0069] 5, the inactive sensor area 504 includes routing connectors 514 configured to route signals (e.g., drive signals) to the active sensor area 502. Notably, fewer than all of the conductors in the inactive sensor area 504 are routing conductors, i.e., some conductors have no electrical connection to adjacent conductors (e.g., as shown by FIG. 3). In some embodiments, some of the unused conductors shown in FIG. 5 may be used for other signal routing, such as, by way of non-limiting example, signal routing from sense lines (not shown in FIG. 5).

[0070] In the example shown by FIG. 5, routing connector 514 is configured to route signals in the same direction as drive lines X0-X18 (e.g., via routing connector portion 510 of routing connector 514-2) and in a substantially continuous direction toward the outer periphery of touch sensor 500 (e.g., via routing connector portion 512 of routing connector 514-2).

[0071] In some embodiments, the tracking lines can electrically connect the routing connectors (and extensions, drive lines) to connection-forming elements to form electrical connections external to the touch sensor 500 (e.g., but not limited to, at a touch controller).

[0072] Touch sensor 500 may include several connection-forming elements 520 electrically connected to active sensor area 502 by trace lines, including trace lines 506 and 508. Routing connector 514 is electrically connected to connection-forming elements 520 by trace line 506, and the other ends of the X sensor lines corresponding to (for example, including, but not limited to) routing connector 514 are electrically connected to connection-forming elements 520 by trace line 508. Connection-forming elements 520 connected to Y sensor lines by trace lines are shown in FIG. 5, although not individually labeled.

[0073] Although a one-to-one correspondence of several tracking lines 506 / 508 and connection forming elements 520 is shown in FIG. 5, this is not required, and other arrangements including more or fewer tracking lines 506 / 508 than connection forming elements 520 are encompassed by this disclosure.

[0074] 5. For purposes of discussion, it may be understood that, for example, tracing line 506-0 electrically connects routing connector 514-0 to connection forming element 520-0A, tracing line 506-2 electrically connects routing connector 514-2 to connection forming element 520-2A, and further, tracing line 506-18 electrically connects routing connector 514-18 to connection forming element 520-8A. It may also be understood that, for example, tracing line 508-0 electrically connects sensor line 0 (i.e., X0) to connection forming element 520-0B, tracing line 508-2 electrically connects sensor line 2 (i.e., X2) to connection forming element 520-2B, etc., and further, tracing line 508-18 electrically connects sensor line 18 (i.e., X18) to connection forming element 520-18B. "520-XA" and "520-XB," where X is a number (e.g., 0, 2...18), are used in this discussion to indicate that such connection-forming elements are associated with the same sensor line. In various embodiments, the connection-forming elements designated as "A" and "B" can be different structures or the same structure, as discussed herein.

[0075] In the particular example shown in FIG. 5 , the electrical connections of the routing connectors 514 are each electrically connected to the tracking lines 506 at locations along at least a portion of a first perimeter 516 of the inactive sensor area 504 (the first perimeter 516 of the inactive sensor area 504 at least partially coincides with the perimeter of the touch sensor 500).

[0076] In some embodiments, a resistance-reducing connection can be used to electrically connect one or more of the sense lines and drive lines to an input or output of the touch controller. Taking the case of a drive line as an example, a first end of the drive line and the other (second) end of the drive line can be electrically connected to the same connection-forming element 520 by respective routing connectors, tracking lines, or a combination thereof.

[0077] A first end of each of the drive lines X0-X18, located substantially on the first periphery 516 of the inactive sensor area 504, is electrically connected to a respective connection forming element 520-0A to 520-18A by a tracking line 506-0 to 506-18.

[0078] Each drive line X0 to X18 may include, or a portion thereof may be, a routing connector 514-0 to 514-18, which extends from a first end of each portion of the drive line X0 to X18 located substantially at the first periphery 522 of the active sensor area 502 to the first periphery 516 of the inactive sensor area 504 and is electrically connected to the tracking lines 506-0 to 506-18.

[0079] The other (second) end of each of the drive lines X0 through X18, which is located substantially on a second perimeter 518 of the active sensor area 502 (the second perimeter 518 at least partially coincides with the second perimeter of the touch sensor 500), is electrically connected to a respective connection-forming element 520-0B through 520-18B by a respective tracking line 508-0 through 508-18. As a non-limiting example, the tracking lines 506 and 508 can be or include a conductive material such as silver or copper trace.

[0080] Touch sensor embodiments using routing connections for a single connection to a connection-forming element, reduced resistance connectors to a connection-forming element, and equivalents thereof are all within the scope of this disclosure.

[0081] It is specifically contemplated, without limitation, that in some cases, depending on design factors such as size and resolution, there may not be enough available conductors (or enough contiguous available conductors) within the inactive sensor area to form routing connectors 514 from all drive lines to a single perimeter of touch sensor 500, e.g., first perimeter 516 of inactive sensor area 504 shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, it is specifically contemplated that in some cases, there may be design reasons to form routing connectors around more than one perimeter of touch sensor 500 (e.g., without limitation, around two, three, or more perimeters of the touch sensor), such as to accommodate space on the substrate, to accommodate the shape of the substrate, or other factors related to devices that may incorporate touch sensor 500.

[0082] 6 shows a schematic diagram of a touch sensor system 600 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Touch sensor system 600 includes a sensor area 602 including a first active sensor area 604 laterally spaced from a second active sensor area 608 and an inactive sensor area 606 interposed between first active sensor area 604 and second active sensor area 608.

[0083] Touch sensor system 600 includes a first resistance-reducing connection 620 electrically connecting drive line 614 to line 628 and a second resistance-reducing connection 638 electrically connecting drive line 632 to line 646 .

[0084] In the case of first resistance-reducing connection 620, first end 616 of drive line 614 is electrically connected to first connection-forming element 610 by line 626, and second end 650 of drive line 614 (more specifically, second end 650, which is portion 622 of drive line 614, portion 622 formed in inactive sensor area 606) is electrically connected to first connection-forming element 610 by line 624. Thus, first resistance-reducing connection 620 can be understood to include lines 624 and 626.

[0085] In the case of the second connection-forming element 612, the first end 636 of the drive line 632 is electrically connected to the second connection-forming element 612 via line 644, and the second end 652 of the drive line 632 (more specifically, the second end 652, which is the portion 640 of the drive line 632, the portion 640 formed in the inactive sensor region 606) is electrically connected to the second connection-forming element 612 via line 642. Thus, the second resistance-reducing connection 638 can be understood to include lines 642 and 644.

[0086] As a non-limiting example, portions 622 and 640 can be or include one or more routing connectors, such as routing connector 514 of Figure 5. As a non-limiting example, lines 624, 626, 642, and 644 can be or include one or more tracking lines, such as 506 and 508 of Figure 5.

[0087] The first and second connection-forming elements 610 and 612, respectively, may be electrically connected to the outputs of a touch controller (not shown) by lines 628 and 646. Lines 628 and 646 may be electrical connections formed on, by way of non-limiting example, a printed circuit board, a flex circuit, a wire, or a combination thereof.

[0088] As a non-limiting example, during intended operation of touch sensor system 600, the line resistance Rx observable at the output of a touch controller (not shown) electrically connected to first resistance-reducing connection 620 by line 628 (or second resistance-reducing connection 638 by line 646) when transmitting first drive signal 630 (or second drive signal 648) will be lower than the line resistance Rx observable at the output of a touch controller electrically connected to a single end of drive line 614 (e.g., first end 616 or second end 650, but not both) in the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 .

[0089] It should be noted that while first active sensor area 604 is shown with larger dimensions than second active sensor area 608, in practice each area of ​​the touch sensor (active or inactive) may have the same or different dimensions.

[0090] Touch sensor system 600 may include additional sensor lines and connection forming elements, as well as additional resistance reducing connectors that electrically connect the additional sensor lines to the additional connection forming elements, as shown in FIG.

[0091] It is specifically contemplated that in some cases, the number of X-lines in an active sensor area or group of active sensor areas may exceed the number of available Y-lines in an inactive sensor area, or vice versa. In such cases, resistance-reducing connectors may be formed for fewer than all of the X-lines in the active sensor area (or more generally, the touchscreen). Additionally or alternatively, resistance-reducing connectors may be formed for fewer than all of the X-lines in the active sensor area. Additionally or alternatively, several tracking lines (or tracking layers) may be added as needed to form resistance-reducing connectors as discussed herein.

[0092] Any suitable arrangement of electrically connected connection elements can be used to form the resistance-reducing connections 620 and 638, thereby electrically connecting the connection-forming elements 610 and 612 with the respective drive lines 614 / 632. Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D show some non-limiting embodiments of resistance-reducing connections.

[0093] 12A is a schematic diagram illustrating a resistance-reducing connection 620A according to one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 12A, in some embodiments of a touch display configuration, the lines 626 and 624 may be formed within the transparent material 1202 of the display (e.g., but not limited to, a glass display cover) or on its interior or exterior surface (relative to the display). The lines 626 and 624 may be formed substantially on a second plane (approximately coplanar with the bottom surface of the transparent material) that is above the first plane where the first connection-forming element 610 interfaces with the transparent material. In some embodiments, a first electrical contact 1206 (e.g., but not limited to, a region of continuous extension of conductive material, a pad, or other structure forming each of lines 624 and 626) may electrically connect lines 624 and 626, and a second electrical contact 1208 (e.g., but not limited to, a pad or other structure) may electrically connect first electrical contact 1206 to a first connection-forming element 610 located on flex circuit 1204.

[0094] 12B is a schematic diagram illustrating a resistance-reducing connection 620B according to one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 12B, in some embodiments of a touch display configuration, lines 626 and 624 are formed in the transparent material 1202 of the display, and first electrical contacts 1210 and second electrical contacts 1212 electrically connect lines 626 and 624, respectively, to first connection-forming elements 610 on the flex circuit 1204.

[0095] 12C is a schematic diagram illustrating a resistance-reducing connection 620C according to one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 12C, in some embodiments of a touch display configuration, the first connection-forming element 610 may include individual connection-forming elements 610A and 610B, and lines 626 and 624 formed in the transparent material 1202 may be electrically connected to the connection-forming elements 610A and 610B by first electrical contacts 1210 and second electrical contacts 1212, respectively. The connection-forming elements 610A and 610B may be connected to the flex circuit 1204, and electrical contacts 1214 formed in the flex circuit 1204 may electrically connect the connection-forming elements 610A and 610B.

[0096] 12D is a schematic diagram illustrating a resistance-reducing connection 620D according to one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 12D , in some embodiments of a touch display configuration, the lines 626 and 624 may be electrically connected to a pair of connection-forming elements 610A-1 and 610B-1 by first and second electrical contacts 1210 and 1212, respectively. The pair of connection-forming elements 610A-1 and 610B-1 of the flex circuit 1204 may be individually connected by respective wires to respective connection-forming elements 610A-2 and 610B-2 located at opposite ends of the flex circuit 1204, which are electrically connected to a PCB 1216. The PCB 1216 may include an electrical contact 1218 that electrically connects the pair of connection-forming elements 610A-2 and 610B-2.

[0097] 7 shows a block diagram of a touch display 700 according to one or more embodiments. The touch display 700 includes a touch sensor 710 including a passive area 702 (e.g., including an inactive sensor area), a first touch screen 704 (e.g., including a first active sensor area), and a second touch screen 706 (e.g., including a second active sensor area) overlaying a display 708. The display 708 may underlie and extend contiguously with one or more first active sensor areas forming the first touch screen 704, one or more second active sensor areas forming the second touch screen 706, and one or more inactive sensor areas forming the passive area 702 laterally interposed between the first active sensor areas forming the first touch screen 704 and the second active sensor areas forming the second touch screen 706.

[0098] The first resistance reducing connector 718 may be understood to include the first electrical connector 716 and the second electrical connector 714. The second resistance reducing connector 728 may be understood to include the first electrical connector 726 and the second electrical connector 724.

[0099] The touch display 700 includes a first resistance-reducing connector 718 and a second resistance-reducing connector 728 for electrically connecting the sensor lines (here, X lines) of the first touch screen 704 and the second touch screen 706, respectively, to a touch controller I / O (not shown), which further include a single connection 730 and a single connection 732 for electrically connecting the sensor lines (here, Y lines) of the first touch screen 704 and the second touch screen 706, respectively, to the touch controller I / O (not shown).

[0100] The first routing connector 712 and the second routing connector 722 of the first resistance reducing connector 718 and the second resistance reducing connector 728, respectively, are formed in the passive area 702 (for example, but not limited to, in accordance with routing connector 514 of FIG. 5) and may extend across a portion of the display surface of the display 708, including but not limited to extending across a portion of the display 708.

[0101] First electrical connectors 716 and 726 of first resistance-reducing connector 718 and second resistance-reducing connector 728, respectively, are located generally external to touch sensor 710 and are electrically connected to first touch screen 704 and second touch screen 706, respectively, at or near the periphery of display 708 and at or near the periphery of each first touch screen 704 and second touch screen 706. Second electrical connectors 714 and 724 of first resistance-reducing connector 718 and second resistance-reducing connector 728, respectively, are located external to touch sensor 710 and are electrically connected to first routing connector 712 and second routing connector 722, respectively, at or near the periphery of display 708 and at or near the periphery of passive area 702.

[0102] The first electrical connectors 716 and 726 and / or the second electrical connectors 714 and 724 may extend across a portion of the display 708, but typically will only minimally extend across (i.e., not obscure) the viewing surface of the display 708. In some cases, a lip (e.g., without limitation, a portion of the housing of the touch display 700) may be positioned across (i.e., obscuring) the first electrical connectors 716 and 726 and / or the second electrical connectors 714 and 724, including, but not limited to, being positioned across the portion of each such first and / or second electrical connector that extends across a portion of the display 708.

[0103] 7, touch display 700 includes a first resistance-reducing connector 718 and a second resistance-reducing connector 728 for electrically connecting the X lines of touch screen 704 and touch screen 706, respectively, to the touch controller I / O. Touch display 700 also includes single connections 730 and 732 for connecting the Y lines of touch screen 704 and touch screen 706, respectively, to the touch controller I / O. In one or more embodiments, each of the X and Y lines can be a drive line, a sense line, or a combination thereof.

[0104] It should be noted that from the perspective of a touch controller, the resistance-reducing connectors and single connections according to the disclosed embodiments may optionally form part of the drive and sense electrodes.

[0105] Some embodiments generally relate to borderless or near-borderless touch displays. As used herein, "borderless touch display" means that the touch electrodes terminate at an edge of the display. As used herein, "near-borderless touch display" means that the touch electrodes terminate at an edge of at least one side of the display. To generally facilitate such arrangements, when using a routing scheme such as that shown in FIG. 11 and discussed below, at least some external electrical connections (e.g., but not limited to, trace lines) that might otherwise overlay the peripheral border area of ​​the display can be replaced by routing connectors formed in one or more inactive sensor areas of the touch sensors, as discussed further herein.

[0106] 8 shows a block diagram of a touch display 800 according to one or more embodiments. The touch display 800 includes a touch sensor 812 overlying a display 814. The touch sensor 812 includes a first touch screen 808 (e.g., including a first active sensor area) and a laterally spaced second touch screen 810 (e.g., including a second active sensor area) with a passive area 824 (e.g., including an inactive sensor area) interposed between the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810. The first routing connector 802 forms at least a portion of the touch electrode of the first touch screen 808, and the second routing connector 806 forms at least a portion of the touch electrode of the second touch screen 810. The first routing connector 802 and the second routing connector 806 may be formed, by way of non-limiting example, according to, but not limited to, the routing connector 514 of FIG. 5. The first routing connector 802 and the second routing connector 806 may extend across a portion of the display 814, which may also include a portion of the viewing surface of the display 814.

[0107] Touch display 800 further includes a first electrical connector 804 and a second electrical connector 816, which are electrically connected to touch sensor 812 via first routing connector 802 and second routing connector 806, respectively, by connection at or near the shared edge of display 814 and touch sensor 812, more specifically through the inactive sensor area corresponding to passive area 824. First electrical connector 804 and second electrical connector 816 can electrically connect touch electrodes (here, X electrodes) of first touch screen 808 and second touch screen 810, respectively, to elements external to touch display 800 (e.g., but not limited to, to a touch controller).

[0108] The touch display 800 further includes a third electrical connector 830 and a fourth electrical connector 832 that electrically connect to the touch sensor 812 (more specifically, to the active sensor areas corresponding to the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810, respectively) at or near the shared edge of the display 814 and the touch sensor 812. The third electrical connector 830 and the fourth electrical connector 832 can electrically connect the touch electrodes (here, the Y electrodes) of the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810, respectively, to elements external to the touch display 800 (for example, but not limited to, to a touch controller).

[0109] By way of non-limiting example, first electrical connector 804, second electrical connector 816, third electrical connector 830, and fourth electrical connector 832 may include one or more electrical connector elements, such as wires, trace lines, connection-forming elements (e.g., bond pads), flex circuits, conductive lines of a PCB, portions thereof, and combinations thereof. By way of non-limiting example, first electrical connector 804 and second electrical connector 816 may be formed from the same or different connection elements. profit , or the same or different connecting elements Selection of from formation It can be done.

[0110] Using a first touchscreen 808 for purposes of discussion, the first electrical connector 804 may be configured to route drive or sense signals to or from the first touchscreen 808. In the particular example shown in FIG. 8 , the first electrical connector 804 is configured to route drive signals to drive electrodes of the touch display 800. More specifically, the first electrical connector 804 is configured to route drive signals to a first routing connector 802 of the drive electrodes of the first touchscreen 808, which connector is further configured to route the drive signals to the first touchscreen 808.

[0111] The first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810, and more specifically, the touch electrodes of the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810, are electrically connected to a first electrical connector 804, a second electrical connector 816, a third electrical connector 830, and a fourth electrical connector 832 at connection locations substantially along a perimeter 828 of the touch sensor 812. More specifically, the third electrical connector 830 and the fourth electrical connector 832 are electrically connected to the touch electrodes of the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810, respectively, at connection locations substantially along a portion of the perimeter 828 that is shared with the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810. The first electrical connector 804 and the second electrical connector 816 are electrically connected to the touch electrodes of the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810, respectively, at connection locations substantially along a portion of the perimeter 828 that is shared with the passive area 824. connected to .

[0112] Notably, the other side edges of the first touch screen 808 and the second touch screen 810 (e.g., but not limited to, the left edge 820 and the top edge 818 for the first touch screen 808, and the right edge 822 and the top edge 828 for the second touch screen 810) are free of routing connectors and external electrical connectors. Moreover, the edges of the touch sensor 812 are free of external electrical connectors along the edges of three sides: the top edge, the left edge, and the right edge in the particular example shown in FIG.

[0113] The viewing surface of the display 814 may extend, without limitation, to the left edge 820 of the first touchscreen 808 and all the way to the top edge 818 of the first touchscreen 808 without being obscured by electrical connections. The same or a different viewing surface of the display 814 may similarly extend to the right edge 822 of the second touchscreen 810 and all the way to the top edge 818 of the second touchscreen 810 without being obscured by electrical connections.

[0114] In various embodiments, the periphery of display 814 (and its display surface) corresponds to the periphery defined by peripheries 818, 820, and 822 on three sides of touch sensor 812 and is not obscured by tracking lines or other electrical connections, but may otherwise be covered / obscured by a bezel or other material on the edge. Touch display 800 may be understood to be a borderless touch display (i.e., borderless / bezel-less, reduced border / reduced bezel, or minimised border / minimised bezel), and may be used in so-called standard screen and widescreen (e.g., standard aspect ratio and wide aspect ratio) applications, by way of non-limiting example.

[0115] Although displays according to disclosed embodiments, such as but not limited to displays 708 and 814, may be described herein as a single display, the disclosure is not so limited. Displays 708 and 814 may be a single display having an area that can be interacted with via touchscreen 704 / 706 or 808 / 810 and an area for viewing only that corresponds to passive area 702 or 824. Alternatively, the area of ​​display 708 or 814 that corresponds to passive area 702 or 824 may be covered (e.g., but not limited to, by a housing, etc.) and not used at all.

[0116] As another non-limiting example, displays 708 and 814 may include several individual displays that share a common touch sensor (e.g., touch sensor 710 or 812). As another non-limiting example, display 708 may include a display covered by first touchscreen 704 and a display covered by second touchscreen 706. As another non-limiting example, display 708 may include a display covered by first touchscreen 704, a display covered by second touchscreen 706, and a display covered by passive area 702. Those skilled in the art will understand that any of a variety of configurations may be selected to suit various applications and environments.

[0117] 9 is a schematic diagram of a touch display 900 including a first routing connector 902 and a second routing connector 904 of a touch screen 906, the first routing connector 902 and the second routing connector 904 being formed at least in part using inactive sensor areas of a touch sensor 908. In one embodiment, the first routing connector 902 and the second routing connector 904 are directly electrically connected to opposing ends of sensor lines (not shown) of the touch screen 906 at a first side and a second side of the touch screen 906. In another embodiment, at least one of the first routing connector 902 and the second routing connector 904 is indirectly electrically connected to opposing ends of sensor lines (not shown) of the touch screen 906 at a first side and a second side of the touch screen 906.

[0118] 9 , the area of ​​touch sensor 908 is larger than the area of ​​touch screen 906, and more typically, the area of ​​display 910 is larger than the areas of touch screen 906 and touch sensor 908. Touch screen 906 substantially corresponds to the area of ​​the active sensor area of ​​touch sensor 908, with the remainder of the area of ​​touch sensor 908 being an inactive sensor area. As discussed herein, touch sensor 908 is transparent, as are first routing connector 902 and second routing connector 904 formed within the inactive sensor area. Thus, a portion of touch display 900 may be touch-sensitive and include a display surface (i.e., touch screen 906), and a portion of touch display 900 may be passive (i.e., not touch-sensitive) and include a display surface.

[0119] 7 and 8, in Fig. 7, a portion of touch display 700 may be touch-sensitive and may include a display surface (i.e., portions corresponding to first and second active sensor areas of first touch screen 704 and second touch screen 706), and a portion of touch display 700 may be passive and may include a display surface (i.e., portions corresponding to passive area 702). In Fig. 8, a portion of touch display 800 may be touch-sensitive and may include a display surface (i.e., portions corresponding to first and second active sensor areas of first touch screen 808 and second touch screen 810, respectively), and a portion of touch display 800 may be passive and may include a display surface (i.e., portions corresponding to passive area 824).

[0120] As discussed herein, a touch display according to one or more embodiments can be arranged so that substantially all external connections with touch electrodes are grouped on fewer than all sides of the touch display. By way of non-limiting example, the disclosed embodiments may provide flexibility in designing a touch display by allowing connections with touch electrodes to be grouped at various locations along the periphery of the touch display.

[0121] 7, 8, and 9 show specific, non-limiting examples of touch displays in which a touch screen overlays at least a portion of the display's viewing surface, although other arrangements are within the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the touch screen may be formed into, by way of non-limiting example, a touchpad or a set of capacitive buttons that can be used to interact with a graphical user interface, a system, a subsystem, a device, a consumer electronics appliance, or any combination or subcombination thereof.

[0122] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a stack of a touch display system 1000 including a touch sensor system, according to one or more embodiments. For example, the touch display system 1000 may include a touch screen 1002 including a display 1004, a touch sensor 1006 supported on the display 1004, and a front panel 1008 supported on the touch sensor 1006. The display 1004 and the touch sensor 1006 may be formed by the techniques described above in accordance with FIGS. 1-9. As shown in FIG. 10, the front panel 1008 has a slight border 1020, and in other embodiments, may lack a border (e.g., a bezel) or may have a border that is 25% to 75% (e.g., 50%) smaller than some conventional borders known to the inventors of the present disclosure on at least three sides of the front panel 1008.

[0123] A connector 1010 (e.g., a printed circuit board, a flex cable, a flex circuit) configured to operably connect the touch screen 1002 to other devices and / or power may be located on the remaining sides of the touch screen 1002. In some embodiments, a touch IC 1012 may be positioned and / or supported on the connector 1010 (e.g., without limitation, on a flex or on a host printed circuit board), by way of non-limiting example. The touch IC 1012 may be configured to send drive signals to and receive sense signals from the touch sensors 1006, and may optionally perform some or all processing of the sense signals locally. The connector 1010 may connect the touch screen 1002, the touch sensors 1006, and the touch IC 1012 to a main host controller 1016 for the touch display system 1000. The connector 1010 may be configured to transmit communication signals including touch information (e.g., but not limited to, X and Y coordinates) sent by the touch IC 1012 via a communication interface 1018 (e.g., Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), or Universal Serial Bus (USB)) by a main host controller 1016. The main host controller 1016 is configured to control the display 1004 via a display circuit 1014.

[0124] In some examples of conventional touch sensors known to the inventors of this disclosure, tracking lines may form at least a portion of the electrical connection between a sensor line (e.g., a drive line or a sense line) and, for example, a bond pad. The tracking lines are typically implemented by metal connections routed along a portion of the periphery of the touch sensor to connection-forming elements such as bond pads.

[0125] 11 is a schematic diagram of a sensor 1100 including tracking lines according to the state of the art known to the inventors of the present disclosure, where tracking lines 1102 and 1104 (as opposed to routing connectors according to one or more embodiments) originate on the left and right sides, respectively, of the sensor 1100 and are formed along a portion of the periphery (i.e., peripheral portion) of the sensor 1100 to a connection-forming element 1106 located at the bottom of the sensor 1100. The tracking lines 1102 and 1104 formed along the periphery of the sensor 1100 are sometimes referred to as "edge tracking lines" or simply the "edge tracking" of the sensor.

[0126] It is worth noting that from the touchscreen's perspective, the trace lines can be viewed as electrodes for making connections with the bond pads, and vice versa.

[0127] The tracking lines may sometimes be visible to the human eye, and in the case of a touch display, the transparent portions of the touch sensor that do not include the tracking lines may limit the extent of the display surface of the touch display. In some cases, an opaque material or portion of the housing that supports the touch display may be used to cover or hide from view the portions of the touch sensor that include the tracking lines. This may achieve the appearance of a lip around the touch display that is substantially equal in width to the width of the tracking lines routed along the peripheral portion of the touch sensor.

[0128] In contrast to such conventional touch sensors known to the inventors of the present disclosure, touch sensors according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may use routing connectors within the inactive sensor area of ​​the touch sensor, thereby eliminating or reducing the amount of tracking lines routed along the edges of the touch display. By using routing connectors within the inactive sensor area of ​​the touch sensor to replace the tracking lines, the edges for covering the tracking lines can be reduced or eliminated.

[0129] By repositioning at least some of the tracking lines from the periphery of the touch sensor to one or more inactive sensor areas within the boundary of the touch sensor, the total distance from the active sensor area to the output of the touch controller (e.g., the length of the lines forming the signal path) may be reduced compared to techniques that route those lines around / along the periphery of the touch sensor, thereby reducing the charging and response time of the touch sensor.

[0130] By repositioning at least some of the tracking lines from the periphery to an inactive sensor area within the touch sensor itself, the need to hide the peripheral tracking lines can be reduced (or eliminated), allowing for reduced or no-edge designs to be employed.

[0131] The signal routing techniques of the present disclosure enable the deployment of touch sensors without some or all of the charge time drawbacks of conventional touch sensors described herein, and have been widely deployed in touch sensors and touch screens, as a non-limiting example, than make practical some conventional signal routing techniques known to the inventors of the present disclosure (e.g., without limitation, where charge times were too slow to be practical using a single connection technique). As a non-limiting example, the signal routing techniques of the present disclosure enable the deployment of touch sensors and touch screens larger than about 5 feet wide (e.g., about 5 feet wide) by utilizing resistance-reducing connectors, and more specifically, resistance-reducing connectors through inactive sensor areas. (approx. 1.5 meters) ~approximately 30 feet (approximately 9 meters) , about 6 feet (approx. 1.8 meters) ~approximately 26 feet (approx. 8 meters) , about 10 feet (approx. 3 meters) ~approximately 20 feet (approx. 6 meters) This may enable deployment of touch sensors in touchscreens.

[0132] In this description, characterizations such as "typical," "conventional," or "known" do not necessarily mean that the discussed aspect is disclosed in the prior art or is recognized in the prior art, nor do they necessarily mean that the discussed aspect is widely known, well understood, or routinely used in the relevant field.

[0133] The terms used in this disclosure, and particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," etc.).

[0134] Additionally, if a specific number of introduced claim recitations is intended, such intention will be expressly recited in the claim; absent such recitation, no such intention exists. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may include the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as limiting any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more"), even if the same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an"); the same is true for the use of express articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0135] Additionally, even when a particular number in an introduced claim is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., an explicit recitation of "two recitations" without other modifiers means at least two recitations or more than two recitations). Furthermore, when conventions similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." or "one or more of A, B, and C, etc." are used, it is generally intended that such a structure include A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.

[0136] Furthermore, any disjunction or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" should be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0137] Further non-limiting examples of embodiments include the following: Embodiment 1: A touch sensor comprising: a support structure; a first connection forming element positioned on a surface of the support structure; and a sensor area comprising: a first active sensor area; a first inactive sensor area; and a first routing connector in the first inactive sensor area, the first routing connector being electrically connected to the first active sensor area and electrically connected to the first connection forming element.

[0138] Embodiment 2: The touch sensor of embodiment 1, wherein the first active sensor area comprises an active sensor node and the first inactive sensor area comprises an inactive sensor node.

[0139] Embodiment 3: The touch sensor of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the first active sensor area comprises a sensor line.

[0140] Embodiment 4: The touch sensor according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein a first end of the sensor line is electrically connected to a first routing connector.

[0141] Embodiment 5: The touch sensor according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the second end of the sensor line is electrically connected to the tracking line.

[0142] Embodiment 6: The touch sensor of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the second end of the sensor line is directly electrically connected to the second routing connector of the second inactive sensor area.

[0143] Embodiment 7: A touch sensor as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the sensor area comprises first conductors arranged in a first direction and second conductors arranged in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, each of the active sensor nodes comprises two electrically connected first conductors and two electrically connected second conductors, and each of the inactive sensor nodes comprises only one of (i) the two electrically connected first conductors or (ii) the two electrically connected second conductors.

[0144] Embodiment 8: A touch sensor according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the first routing connector comprises at least one of the inactive sensor nodes.

[0145] Embodiment 9: The touch sensor of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the first routing connector includes several inactive sensor nodes electrically connected in series.

[0146] Embodiment 10: A touch sensor described in any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the touch sensor further comprises an electrical connector electrically connected to an end of the first routing connector, the end of the first routing connector being located on the periphery of the first inactive sensor area and electrically connected to the first connection forming element.

[0147] Embodiment 11: A touch sensor described in any one of embodiments 1 to 10, further comprising one or more tracking lines arranged along at least a portion of the periphery of the first active sensor area, the one or more tracking lines being electrically connected to the first active sensor area and electrically connected to the first connection forming element.

[0148] Embodiment 12: A touch sensor described in any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the sensor area comprises a second active sensor area spaced apart from the first active sensor area, and the first inactive sensor area is interposed between the first active sensor area and the second active sensor area.

[0149] Embodiment 13: A touch sensor described in any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the touch sensor further comprises a second routing connector in the first inactive sensor area and a second connection forming element, the second routing connector being electrically connected to the second active sensor area and electrically connected to the second connection forming element.

[0150] Embodiment 14: A touch sensing system comprising: a touch sensor comprising a support structure, a connection forming element positioned on a surface of the support structure, a sensor area comprising an active sensor area, an inactive sensor area, and a routing connector in the inactive sensor area electrically connected to the active sensor area and electrically connected to the connection forming element; and a touch controller, wherein an input or output of the touch controller is electrically connected to the connection forming element.

[0151] Embodiment 15: A touch sensing system as described in embodiment 14, wherein the input or output of the touch controller is electrically connected to the connection forming element by a connector on the flex circuit or printed circuit board.

[0152] Embodiment 16: A touch sensing system according to embodiment 14 or 15, wherein the input or output of the touch controller is electrically connected to the connection forming element by a flex circuit and a printed circuit board.

[0153] Embodiment 17: A sensor area of ​​a capacitive touch sensor, comprising: an active sensor node comprising a first conductor arranged in a first direction, a second conductor arranged in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, two electrically connected first conductors, and two electrically connected second conductors; and a first inactive sensor node comprising a group of electrically connected conductors, the group of electrically connected conductors comprising one and only one of: (i) two or more electrically connected first conductors, or (ii) two or more electrically connected second conductors.

[0154] Embodiment 18: A sensor area as described in embodiment 17, wherein a first of the first conductors is electrically connected to a second of the first conductors and a first of the second conductors, and the second of the first conductors and the first of the second conductors are within an inactive sensor area comprising a first inactive sensor node.

[0155] Embodiment 19: A sensor region described in embodiment 17 or 18, wherein the sensor region further comprises a second inactive sensor node comprising a group of electrically isolated conductors, the group of electrically isolated conductors comprising several first conductors and several second conductors.

[0156] Embodiment 20: The sensor area according to any one of embodiments 17 to 19, wherein the sensor area is one of several sensor areas of a capacitive touch sensor.

[0157] Embodiment 21: A touch display comprising a display and a touch sensor overlaid on a display surface of the display, wherein the periphery of the touch sensor corresponding to the periphery of the display surface, among the portions of the periphery of the touch sensor corresponding to the three side edges of the display surface, is free of tracking lines.

[0158] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described in connection with the drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize and understand that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments expressly shown and described in this disclosure. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure may be made to produce embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, such as those specifically claimed, including legal equivalents. Additionally, features from one or more disclosed embodiments may be combined, as contemplated by the inventors, with features of one or more other disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising: a support structure; a first connection-forming element positioned on a surface of the support structure; A sensor area, a first active sensor area; a first inactive sensor area; a first routing connector in the first inactive sensor area, the first routing connector comprising a first number of inactive sensor nodes electrically connected in series, the first routing connector electrically connected to the first active sensor area, and the first routing connector further electrically connected to the first connection-forming element; a second active sensor area, the first inactive sensor area being interposed between the first active sensor area and the second active sensor area; a second routing connector in the first inactive sensor area, the second routing connector comprising a second number of inactive sensor nodes electrically connected in series, the second routing connector electrically connected to the second active sensor area and electrically connected to the first connection-forming element; A touch sensor comprising:

2. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first active sensor area comprises an active sensor node.

3. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first active sensor area comprises a sensor line.

4. The touch sensor of claim 3 , wherein a first end of the sensor line is electrically connected to the first routing connector.

5. The touch sensor of claim 4 , wherein a second end of the sensor line is electrically connected to a tracking line to electrically connect the first routing connector to the first connection-forming element.

6. The touch sensor of claim 4 , wherein a second end of the sensor line is directly electrically connected to another routing connector in a second inactive sensor area.

7. The sensor area is a first conductor disposed in a first direction; a second conductor disposed in a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction; each of the active sensor nodes comprises two electrically connected first conductors and two electrically connected second conductors; 3. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein each of the inactive sensor nodes comprises only one of: (i) two electrically connected first conductors; or (ii) two electrically connected second conductors.

8. The touch sensor 2. The touch sensor of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector electrically connected to an end of the first routing connector, the end of the first routing connector being located on a periphery of the first inactive sensor area and electrically connected to the first connection-forming element.

9. one or more tracing lines disposed along at least a portion of a periphery of the first active sensor area, the one or more tracing lines for electrically connecting the first and second routing connectors to the first connection-forming element; The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the one or more tracking lines are electrically connected to the first active sensor area and electrically connected to the first connection-forming element.

10. 1. A touch sensing system, comprising: A touch sensor, a support structure; a connection-forming element positioned on a surface of the support structure; A sensor area, a first active sensor area; a first inactive sensor area; a first routing connector in the first inactive sensor area, the first routing connector comprising a first number of inactive sensor nodes electrically connected in series, the first routing connector electrically connected to the first active sensor area and electrically connected to the connection-forming element; a second active sensor area, the first inactive sensor area being interposed between the first active sensor area and the second active sensor area; a second routing connector in the first inactive sensor area, the second routing connector comprising a second number of inactive sensor nodes electrically connected in series, the second routing connector being electrically connected to the second active sensor area, and the second routing connector being further electrically connected to the connection-forming element; a sensor area comprising: a touch sensor comprising: a touch controller, an input or an output of the touch controller being electrically connected to the connection-forming element; A touch sensing system comprising:

11. The touch sensing system of claim 10 , wherein the inputs or outputs of the touch controller are electrically connected to the connection-forming elements by connectors on a flex circuit or a printed circuit board.

12. The touch sensing system of claim 11 , wherein the input or the output of the touch controller is electrically connected to the connection forming element by a flex circuit and a printed circuit board.

13. A sensor area of ​​a capacitive touch sensor, the sensor area comprising: a first conductor disposed in a first direction; a second conductor disposed in a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction; a first active sensor node in a first active sensor area, the first active sensor node comprising two electrically connected first conductors and two electrically connected second conductors; a first inactive sensor node in a first inactive sensor region, the first inactive sensor node comprising a group of electrically connected conductors, the group of electrically connected conductors comprising one and only one of: (i) two or more electrically connected first conductors, or (ii) two or more electrically connected second conductors; a second active sensor node in a second active sensor area, the first inactive sensor area being interposed between the first active sensor area and the second active sensor area, the second active sensor node comprising two electrically connected first conductors and two electrically connected second conductors; a first routing connector in the first inactive sensor area, the first routing connector comprising a first number of inactive sensor nodes electrically connected in series, the first routing connector being electrically connected to the active sensor area and electrically connected to a connection-forming element; a second routing connector in the first inactive sensor area, the second routing connector comprising a second number of inactive sensor nodes electrically connected in series, the second routing connector electrically connected to the second active sensor area and electrically connected to the connection-forming element.

14. a first one of the first conductors; a second one of the first conductors; a first one of the second conductors; 14. The sensor region of claim 13, wherein the second one of the first conductors and the first one of the second conductors are within the first inactive sensor region comprising the first inactive sensor node.

15. 14. The sensor area of ​​claim 13, wherein the sensor area further comprises a second inactive sensor node comprising a group of electrically isolated conductors, the group of electrically isolated conductors comprising another number of the first conductors and another number of the second conductors.

16. The sensor area of ​​claim 13 , wherein the sensor area is one of several sensor areas of the capacitive touch sensor.

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