# US 9,436,328 B2 · Single-layer touch sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,436,328 B2 - Document ID: US9436328B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/310,864 - Filed: 2014-06-20 - Published: 2015-12-24 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-20 - Assignees: Atmel Corporation - Applicants: Matthew Trend - Inventors: Matthew Trend - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436328B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/04164: {Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads} - G06F 3/0443: {using a single layer of sensing electrodes} - G06F 3/0446: {using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes} - G06F 3/0448: {Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality} - G06F 2203/04101: 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup - G06F 2203/04103: Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. At least a portion of the second electrode is interdigitated with the first electrode. The first electrode includes a base portion, a digit and an extent. The digit includes a first end and a second end, connects to the base portion at the first end, and extends from the base portion in a first direction along a first axis. The extent connects to the digit at the second end and extends from the digit along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A touch sensor comprising: a first electrode that comprises: a first base portion; a second base portion that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the first base portion at the first end, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the first base portion; a third base portion that connects to the second end of the second base portion and extends substantially perpendicularly from the second base portion; a first digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the first base portion at the first end, and extends from the first base portion in a first direction along a first axis; a first extent that connects to the first digit at the second end of the first digit and extends from the first digit along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; a second digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the third base portion at the first end, extends from the third base portion, and is substantially parallel to the first axis; and a second extent that connects to the second digit at the second end of the second digit, extends from the second digit, and is substantially parallel to the second axis; a second electrode that comprises: a base portion; and a digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the base portion of the second electrode at the first end, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion of the second electrode, the digit of the second electrode being at least partially interdigitated with the first digit of the first electrode and the second base portion of the first electrode; and a third electrode that comprises: a base portion; and a digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the base portion of the third electrode at the first end, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion of the third electrode, the digit of the third electrode being at least partially interdigitated with the second digit of the first electrode and the second base portion of the first electrode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is a sense electrode and the second electrode is a drive electrode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein: the first base portion of the first electrode extends parallel to the second axis; the first digit of the first electrode extends substantially perpendicularly to the first base portion; and the first extent is substantially parallel to the first base portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein: the first base portion of the first electrode extends diagonally to the second axis; the first digit of the first electrode extends substantially obliquely to the first base portion; and the first extent is not substantially parallel to the first base portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein: the first electrode composes a first electrode line extending along the second axis; and the second electrode is one of a plurality of second electrodes composing a second electrode line extending along the first axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The touch sensor of claim 5, wherein the first electrode: comprises a plurality of base portions that are each connected to at least one adjacent base portion; and extends along the second axis in a serpentine pattern. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a plurality of digits that extend from the first base portion in the first direction along the first axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein: a first portion of the first extent extends from the first digit of the first electrode along the second axis in a first direction; and a second portion of the first extent extends from the first digit of the first electrode along the second axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are each made of a mesh of fine lines of conductive material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are each made of indium tin oxide (ITO). ### Claim 11 A device comprising: a touch sensor comprising: a first electrode that comprises: a first base portion; a second base portion that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the first base portion at the first end, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the first base portion; a third base portion that connects to the second end of the second base portion and extends substantially perpendicularly from the second base portion; a first digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the first base portion at the first end, and extends from the first base portion in a first direction along a first axis; a first extent that connects to the first digit at the second end of the first digit and extends from the first digit along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; a second digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the third base portion at the first end, extends from the third base portion, and is substantially parallel to the first axis; and a second extent that connects to the second digit at the second end of the second digit, extends from the second digit, and is substantially parallel to the second axis; a second electrode that comprises: a base portion; and a digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the base portion of the second electrode at the first end, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion of the second electrode, the digit of the second electrode being at least partially interdigitated with the first digit of the first electrode and the second base portion of the first electrode; a third electrode that comprises: a base portion; and a digit that comprises a first end and a second end, connects to the base portion of the third electrode at the first end, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion of the third electrode, the digit of the third electrode being at least partially interdigitated with the second digit of the first electrode and the second base portion of the first electrode; and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the first electrode is a sense electrode and the second electrode is a drive electrode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein: the first base portion of the first electrode extends parallel to the second axis; the first digit of the first electrode extends substantially perpendicularly to the first base portion; and the extent is substantially parallel to the first base portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein: the first base portion of the first electrode extends diagonally to the second axis; the first digit of the first electrode extends substantially obliquely to the first base portion; and the first extent is not substantially parallel to the first base portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein: the first electrode composes a first electrode line extending along the second axis; and the second electrode is one of a plurality of second electrodes composing a second electrode line extending along the first axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the first electrode: comprises a plurality of base portions that are each connected to at least one adjacent base portion; and extends along the second axis in a serpentine pattern. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the first electrode comprises a plurality of digits that extend from the first base portion in the first direction along the first axis. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein: a first portion of the first extent extends from the first digit of the first electrode along the second axis in a first direction; and a second portion of the first extent extends from the first digit of the first electrode along the second axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second electrodes are each made of a mesh of fine lines of conductive material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second electrodes are each made of indium tin oxide (ITO).