Touch Sensor Routing With Integrated Resistors for Dense Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensor devices face challenges in efficiently routing signals from dense arrays of conductive members to connectors, leading to increased surface area requirements and reduced sensitivity due to the high number of routing traces needed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating resistors into the touch sensor device to electrically couple groups of conductive members, reducing the number of routing traces required by using nested resistors and interpolation resistors, which allows for increased density of conductive members without increasing the number of routing traces to the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the defined pitch of the sensing arrays is decreased to increase sensitivity, then the density of conductive members increases, but the number of routing traces required increases proportionally, leading to greater surface area requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple routing traces are merged into fewer routing traces by using resistors to electrically couple groups of conductive members. Instead of having separate routing traces for each conductive member, the patent combines multiple conductive members into groups that share common routing traces through resistor coupling, thereby reducing the total number of routing traces required and the surface area needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The array of conductive members is segmented into groups, where each group is coupled to a routing trace through resistors. This segmentation allows multiple conductive members to be served by fewer routing traces, reducing the surface area requirement while maintaining the ability to sense individual touch points through the resistor-coupled groups.
2Measurement precision
If the defined pitch of the sensing arrays is decreased to increase sensitivity, then the density of conductive members increases, but the number of routing traces increases, complicating the routing assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple routing functions into fewer routing traces by using resistors as coupling elements. Instead of routing each conductive member individually, multiple conductive members are grouped and coupled to shared routing traces through resistors, significantly simplifying the routing assembly and reducing the number of traces that need to be precisely positioned and connected.
3Area of stationary object
If resistors are integrated to couple routing traces, then the number of routing traces is reduced, but additional components are added to the device
Solution Approach 1:
The resistors serve multiple functions: they electrically couple groups of conductive members to shared routing traces, enable signal differentiation through their resistive properties, and allow individual touch point detection despite the reduced number of routing traces. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of resistor components by providing several critical functions simultaneously.
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 approach enhances the sensitivity of the touch sensor device by increasing the density of conductive members while maintaining a stable number of routing traces, enabling better detection of brush, stylus, and finger-touch inputs without increasing the connector's surface area.
Implementation Method 1
A first resistor can be integrated into the touch sensor device to electrically couple the first routing trace and the second routing trace
Data Source
AI summary
Touch sensor technologies are provided. In some embodiments, a touch sensor device includes an array of conductive members. The touch sensor device also includes a first routing trace electrically coupled to a first conductive member of the array of conductive members. The touch sensor device also includes a second routing trace electrically coupled to a second conductive member of the array of conductive member. The first and second routing traces extend to a connector integrated into the touch sensor device. The touch sensor device further includes a resistor that electrically couples the first routing trace and the second routing trace. A third conductive member of the array of conductive members is placed between the first and second conductive members. By incorporating a resistor, density of conductive members (sense lines and/or drive lines) can be increased without increasing density of routing traces to the connector.