3M Innovative Properties Company

Kenneth J Keefer

Bülent Bulat

Bernard O Geaghan

Anthony F Chernefsky

Bemard O Geaghan

A capacitive touch sensitive apparatus comprises plurality of electrodes disposed within a touch sensitive viewing area. Spaced part electrically conductive first electrodes extend along a first direction and spaced apart electrically conductive second electrodes extend along a different second direction. Electrically isolated electrically conductive first polygonal islands are disposed between each pair of adjacent first electrodes and electrically isolated electrically conductive second polygonal islands are disposed between each pair of adjacent second electrodes. When viewed from a top plan view and except for a plurality of discrete spaced part open regions, the touch sensitive viewing area is covered by at least one of a first electrode, a second electrode, a first island, and a second island, each open region being at a vertex of at least one of the first and second polygonal islands.

Electrode pattern for capacitive touch sensor

A capacitive touch sensor apparatus includes a viewing area and a border area. Electrical sensing nodes or electrodes are disposed in both the viewing area and the border area.

Capacitive touch sensor apparatus

Disclosed is a mechanical device that can be used to help maintain a connection between an electrical tail and an electronic device such as a touch sensor screen. The mechanical device deflects upon installation over the tail and the electronic device so that pressure caused by spring action helps maintain the connection. The mechanical device also includes a cutout region designed so that the tail can freely pass through the mechanical device.

Clip for maintaining connection with electrical tail

A field linearization pattern and a touch sensor incorporating same are disclosed. The touch sensor includes a polygonal field linearization pattern disposed around a touch sensitive area. The field linearization pattern includes a first side and a second side that intersect at a first corner. The field linearization pattern further includes an inner row and an outer row of discrete conductive segments. The inner row includes a conductive corner segment at the first corner. The conductive corner segment extends along a portion of the first and second sides of the linearization pattern. The touch sensor further includes electronics configured to detect a location of an input touch applied to the touch sensitive area by generating an electrical current in the linearization pattern. A current flowing from the first side to the second side of the linearization pattern is substantially confined within the linearization pattern.

Touch sensor with linearized response

Electrode pattern disposed on a conductive surface is disclosed. The electrode pattern includes a plurality of conductive segments. The conductive segments are located along the edges of two or more concentric parallel polygons. Each edge of each polygon has one or more middle segments disposed between two end segments. For each edge of each polygon the middle segments are equal in length, and the segments are equally spaced. A touch sensor is disclosed that includes such an electrode pattern.

Linearized conductive surface

A pattern for linearizing an electric field and a touch sensor incorporating same are disclosed. The touch sensor includes an electrically resistive film that covers a touch sensitive area. The touch sensor further includes two or more substantially parallel polygonal rows of electrically conductive segments disposed on the resistive film and surrounding the touch sensitive area. Each edge of each row has one or more middle electrically conductive segments disposed between two end electrically conductive segments. Gaps separate adjacent conductive segments in a row. A middle conductive segment in a row fully overlaps a middle conductive segment in an adjacent row. The overlap defines a full overlap region. The touch sensor further includes a discrete electrically insulative segment disposed in the resistive film in the full overlap region. The insulative segment increases the electrical resistance between the two middle conductive segments.

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Westford, MA, United States of America

Kenneth J Keefer