Input Device Routing Traces Through Sensor Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mutual capacitance proximity sensors have asymmetrical responses due to conductive routing traces near the border width, limiting the active area and viewable portion of input devices and causing signal coupling issues.
Innovation Solution
The input device employs sensor electrodes disposed substantially parallel and perpendicular to each other with routing traces routed within the sensor region, reducing the border width and improving capacitive response symmetry by routing sensor electrodes through the sensor area instead of along the border.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conductive routing traces are disposed along the border width to electrically connect electrodes, then the electrodes can be properly connected, but the active area of the sensor is reduced and asymmetrical response occurs near the border
Solution Approach 1:
The patent routes conductive traces through the sensor region in a third dimension (through-substrate routing) rather than confining them to the border region in two dimensions. This allows traces to pass through the substrate beneath the sensor electrodes, eliminating the need for border width while maintaining electrical connectivity and symmetry.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing traces are nested within the substrate structure, passing through holes or vias in the substrate beneath the sensor region. This nesting approach allows the traces to be contained within the device structure without occupying border space, thereby maximizing the active sensor area while maintaining proper electrical connections.
2Area of stationary object
If border width is reduced to increase active area, then more sensor area is available, but routing traces cannot be properly disposed to connect electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the routing traces from the border region (2D plane) into the substrate thickness dimension (3D space). By routing traces through holes in the substrate from one side to the other, the design eliminates the need for border width while maintaining manufacturability through standard through-substrate via techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate itself acts as an intermediary structure that contains embedded routing paths. The through-substrate holes serve as intermediary channels that guide the conductive traces from electrode to electrode without requiring border space, thus facilitating manufacturing while maximizing active area.
3Reliability
If routing traces are placed near the border, then electrode connections are established, but signal coupling occurs creating asymmetrical response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the routing traces from the border region and relocates them through the substrate interior. This separation removes the harmful interaction between border traces and sensor electrodes, eliminating signal coupling and the resulting asymmetrical response while maintaining reliable electrode connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate material acts as an intermediary barrier that electrically isolates the routing traces from the sensor electrodes. By routing traces through insulated holes in the substrate, the design prevents direct capacitive coupling between traces and electrodes, thereby eliminating signal interference and maintaining response symmetry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances capacitive response uniformity by reducing asymmetrical effects near the border, allowing for a larger active area and improved signal accuracy in capacitive sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
mutual capacitance proximity sensors
Implementation Method 2
signals transmitted through the conductive routing traces may couple to nearby sensor electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an input device. The input device includes a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed substantially parallel to each other and a second plurality of sensor electrodes disposed substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of sensor electrodes. An areal extent of the first and second sensor electrodes defines a sensor region. The input devices further includes a plurality of routing traces disposed within the sensor region of the input device. A first sensor electrode included in the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to a first routing trace included in the plurality of routing traces, and the first routing trace is routed through a second sensor electrode included in the first plurality of sensor electrodes.