Complex adhesive boundaries for touch sensors

A method comprising:

• forming a connection pad region and drive or sense electrodes on an outer surface of a substrate;
• forming a connection pad region and drive or sense electrodes on an inner surface of the substrate;
• adhering a first adhesive layer to the outer surface of the substrate;
• adhering a second adhesive layer to the inner surface of the substrate;
• forming a channel extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces of the substrate, at least in part, by cutting away selective portions of the substrate and the first and second adhesive layers;
• inserting a portion of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) into the channel formed, at least in part, by selectively removing portions of the substrate and the first and second adhesive layers;
• bending the FPC, such that a first portion of the FPC is disposed outwardly from the connection pad region formed on the outer surface of the substrate and a second portion of the FPC is disposed within the channel;
• and
• electrically coupling the FPC to the drive or sense electrodes formed on the outer surface of the substrate, at least in part, by bonding the FPC to the connection pad region formed on the outer surface of the substrate.

An apparatus comprising:

• a cover panel having an inner surface;
• a first optically clear adhesive layer coupled to the cover panel,
• a substrate coupled to the first adhesive layer, the substrate comprising:
• an outer surface having disposed thereon a first connection pad region and first drive or sense electrodes, the drive or sense electrodes disposed between the substrate and the cover panel;
• an inner surface having disposed thereon a second connection pad region and second drive or sense electrodes, the outer and inner surfaces of the substrate being on opposite sides of the substrate with respect to each other;
• a second adhesive layer coupled to the inner surface of the substrate;
• a dielectric layer coupled to the second adhesive layer;
• and
• a flexible printed circuit (FPC) electrically coupled by the first connection pad region to the first drive or sense electrodes;
• wherein respective portions of the first adhesive layer, the substrate, the second adhesive layer, and the dielectric layer collectively form a gasket seal around a perimeter of the cover panel, the gasket seal extending in a direction away from the cover panel along an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer and inner surfaces of the substrate, an inner surface of the gasket seal defining an edge of a channel;
• and
• wherein a portion of the FPC is disposed within the channel and extends through respective openings in each of the first adhesive layer, the substrate, the second adhesive layer, and the dielectric layer.