Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al

Filing 561

Declaration in Support of #559 Declaration in Support, filed byApple Inc.. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit 3.02, #2 Exhibit 3.03, #3 Exhibit 3.04, #4 Exhibit 3.05, #5 Exhibit 3.06, #6 Exhibit 3.07, #7 Exhibit 3.08, #8 Exhibit 3.09, #9 Exhibit 3.10, #10 Exhibit 3.11, #11 Exhibit 3.12, #12 Exhibit 3.13, #13 Exhibit 3.14, #14 Exhibit 3.15, #15 Exhibit 3.16, #16 Exhibit 3,17, #17 Exhibit 3.18, #18 Exhibit 3.19, #19 Exhibit 3.20, #20 Exhibit 3.21, #21 Exhibit 3.22, #22 Exhibit 3.23, #23 Exhibit 3.24)(Related document(s) #559 ) (Jacobs, Michael) (Filed on 12/29/2011)

EXHIBIT 3.22

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

provided by CIRQUE CORPORATION.

Multiple substrate

layers and thus multiple or overlapping layers of

electrodes generally results in a touchpad that is
mostly transparent, but can be difficult to see
5

through.

This becomes a problem of usability when the

touchpad is disposed on the display screen.
It is worth noting that attempts have been made
to make the substrate layers and the inks used for
electrical traces to be thinner and therefore to have
10

greater apparent transparency.

The attempts so far

have still resulted in a display screen that is
uncomfortably dimmed by the touchpad electrodes.
Accordingly, what is needed is a touchpad

providing complete touchpad functionality that is more
15

transparent than those in the state of the art in
order to provide greater viewing comfort to the user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to
20

provide a touchpad that includes only one active
electrode and one sense electrode on a single

substrate, thereby improving display screen clarity by

reducing the total number of electrodes used in the
touchpad.

25

It is another object to provide the one active
electrode in a plurality of different locations within
the sensor area of the touchpad.

It is another object to provide the one active
electrode and the one sense electrode on a generally
30

transparent substrate.
It is another object to provide the one active

electrode and the one sense electrode as generally
transparent ITO ink.

3

APLNDC00026865

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PCT/US2003/024311

It is another object to provide the single-layer
touchpad wherein the touchpad is capable of detecting
an object touching a zone, and determining in which
zone the object has been detected.
5

It is another object to provide the single-layer
touchpad wherein the touchpad is capable of
simultaneously detecting the presence of multiple
objects touching a plurality of different zones of the
touchpad.

10

It is another object to provide the single-layer
touchpad wherein the one active and the sense

electrodes of the touchpad are arranged in a desirable
pattern, ,and wherein the desired pattern is made
visible when viewing the display screen, but with
15

minimal interference.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention
is a single-layer touchpad comprised of a relatively
clear substrate, a first active electrode disposed

thereon, and a sense electrode disposed thereon,
20

wherein the first active electrode and the sense
electrode are comprised of a conductive material,
wherein the first active electrode in combination with

the sense electrode are used to detect the presence of
a pointing object in a zone, determining in which zone
25

the pointing object has been detected, or the

simultaneous presence of multiple pointing objects in
multiple zones, and wherein the first active electrode
and/or the sense electrode are made sufficiently
visible so that a pattern is visually detectable to
30

the user when looking at the display screen.
These and other objects, features, advantages and
alternative aspects of the present invention will

become apparent to those skilled in the art from a

4

APLNDC00026866

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

consideration of the following detailed description
taken in combination with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

5

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable
electronic appliance having a display screen and a
clear touchpad disposed thereon to provide input.
Figure 2 is an illustration of zones arranged as
a column to provide scrolling input.

10

Figure 3 is an illustration of two parallel
columns of zones for providing scrolling control for

two different inputs.
Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the
layout of electrodes for a clear touchpad that is made
15

in accordance with the principles of the present

invention.
Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a
different layout of electrodes for a clear touchpad.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a
20

clear touchpad having mechanical dome switches
disposed thereover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings in
25

which the various elements of the present invention
will be given numerical designations and in which the
invention will be discussed so as to enable one
skilled in the art to make and use the invention.

It

is to be understood that the following description is

30

only exemplary of the principles of the present
invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the
claims which follow.
When discussing features of touchpads, it was

mentioned that cursor control is often a desired

5

APLNDC00026867

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

function of complete functionality touchpads.

Other

desired functions include scrolling capabilities and

navigation keys for moving through documents or
controlling navigation through pages in a web browser.
5

However, these features are not always required in the
particular device for which the touchpad is being
used.
Returning to the clear touchpad that was first

described, the present invention provides touch zone

10

control in a capacitance sensitive limited
functionality touchpad.

Touch zone control is a

useful feature wherein the clear touchpad of the

present invention sends data to a device such as a
portable electronic appliance having a display screen
15

as mentioned above.
In figure 1, a clear touchpad 100 shown as

various electrodes 102 is disposed over a display
screen 104.

The display screen 104 and clear touchpad

100 are part of a portable electronic appliance 106.

20

The portable electronic appliance can be any mentioned
previously in this document, or any other type of
device having a display screen that can take advantage

of touchpad input.

It is noted that the various

electrodes 102 are shown without the detail of the
25

electrical connections required to make the clear
touch pad functional.

These electrical connections

are shown in subsequent figures.

Furthermore, the

various electrodes 102 are shown as very dark lines on
the display screen 104.
30

This exaggeration of the

darkness of the various electrodes 102 is for
illustration purposes only.

It should be remembered

that the inks or other conductive materials being used
for the various electrodes 102 are relatively
transparent to the user.

6

APLNDC00026868

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

The clear touchpad 100 shown in figure 1 is also
notable in that it defines distinct and separate zones
as will be shown in greater detail.

Data sent by

sensing circuitry associated with the clear touchpad
5

100 indicates to the portable electronic appliance 106
the detection of contact by a pointing object.

The

pointing object can be a finger or other object that

can be detected by a capacitance sensitive clear
touchpad 100.
10

In addition, the clear touchpad 100 can

also indicate in which zone the contact has occurred.
Accordingly, the present invention provides the

functionality of a one dimensional input device.

For

example, the clear touchpad 100 can provide the input
of buttons.

15

Each separate is a single button.

By

detecting which zone or button has been touched, a
distinct operation can be performed by the portable
electronic appliance.
Another example of a one dimensional input is a

slide or scroll control.
20

Figure 2 illustrates that if

the zones 108 are lined up to form a column, then
movement from zone to zone can be detected as discrete

steps.

If more sophisticated touchpad circuitry is

provided, then it may be possible to determine finer
movement along the column, and thus provide smaller
25

incremental movement along the column.

Furthermore, more than one column may be provided
as shown in figure 3, so that multiple scrolling
regions can be controlled by the same clear touchpad
as demonstrated by columns 1
30

(110) and 2

(112),

parallel clear touchpade, perpendicular clear
touchpads, or some other arrangement of zones as may
be desired.

The pattern or layout of one dimensional

regions or zones may be quite varied, and should not

7

APLNDC00026869

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

be considered a limiting factor of the present

invention.
Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic layout of the
presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

5

Figure 4 shows a single-layer substrate 10 which is
assumed to be the plane of the figure.
active electrode (X or Y)
in a zone.

18.

is needed to detect touching

Assume that the electrodes 20, 22, 24, 26

are X electrodes.
10

Only a single

Figure 4 has four zones 12, 14, 16,

These four zones are defined only generally be

the dotted lines that include each of the item

numbers.

The four zones 12, 14, 16, 18 are comprised

of the corresponding electrodes 20, 22, 24, 26 and the
space around them, out to the one sense electrode 30.
15

Notice that the sense electrode 30 is surrounded by a

grounding ring 32 that shields the one sense electrode
from signals on other electrode wires or other
interference.

The present invention operates when the active
20

electrodes 20, 22, 24, 26 and the one sense electrode

30 are coupled to a touchpad sensing circuit
associated with the clear touchpad 10.

The touchpad

sensing circuit may be the circuit sold by Cirque ®
Corporation in its touchpads.
25

It is noted that a

touchpad sensing circuit that is designed for
providing complete touchpad functionality can be used
in a clear touchpad having a single layer.

However,

the touchpad sensing circuitry can also be modified to
operate more efficiently without an input for an

30

active electrode that is not being used when only
providing limited touchpad functionality.

An important aspect of the present invention is
to also provide the feature of shaping the active
electrode, the one sense electrode, or both the active

8

APLNDC00026870

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

and the one sense electrodes in desirable patterns.
It was stated earlier that it is desirable to make the

electrodes as transparent to the user as possible in
order to avoid dimming a display screen.
5

However, it

may be desirable to make at least a portion of the
electrodes visible to a user when looking at the
display screen.

Thus, an important aspect of the invention is the
ability to make visible a desirable pattern as seen
10

when looking at the display screen.

Assuming that a

single-layer touchpad has been disposed between the
display screen and the user, or the touchpad is
visible from the underside of the display screen, it
may be desirable that the touchpad not be made
15

completely transparent to the user.

For example, the electrodes of the touchpad can
be made visible to the user by taking advantage of
certain characteristics of the materials used in them.

Consider a conductive material for the electrodes

20

whose width or thickness can be varied in order to
obtain various degrees of visibility.

Furthermore,

additional materials may be added to the conductive

material used for the electrodes, wherein the
additional materials darken or lighten the appearance
25

of the conductive material.
The purpose of increasing the opacity of the

electrodes would seem to be contrary to the goal of
making the presence of the clear touchpad
unnoticeable.

30

However, making the electrodes at least

partially visible in at least one zone enables a
seller of a device to make a particular image visible
to users of buyers of its product.

In other words,

the seller can brand the device so that there is no
mistake as to the seller of the device when a logo or

9

APLNDC00026871

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

other service or trademark is visually discernible to

the user or buyer.
Using the illustration of figure 4, assume that
the logo of the seller is the shape of one of the
5

electrodes 20, 22, 24, or 26.

One or all of these

electrodes 20, 22, 24, 26 could be made slightly
visible when looking at the display screen.
The number of zones that can be provided by the

clear touchpad can be modified as well, depending upon
10

the characteristics of the clear touchpad being used.
The number of zones should not be considered a
limiting factor, as the touchpad and its associated

touchpad sensing circuitry can be modified to provide
many distinct zones of desired.
15

Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic block diagram
of another clear touchpad of the present invention.

Note that the shape of the active electrodes 40, 42,
44, 46 are different from those of figure 4.

This is

simply to make it plain that the shape of the

20

electrodes can be modified to be many desirable shapes
and patterns.
Another important aspect of the invention is that
the functionality of the clear touchpad can be

combined with other mechanical features.
25

For example,

one desirable mechanical feature might be a dome
button.

Figure 6 is an enlarged and cross-sectional

illustration of this concept, wherein a touchpad
substrate 50 is shown.

The substrate 50 has disposed

thereon a desired pattern or layout of electrodes 52
30

of the clear touchpad.

Disposed over these electrodes

are mechanical dome switches 54.

The functionality

provided by the electrodes 52 may be that of a
scrolling region.

The mechanical dome switches 54

would thus provide a different function in the same

10

APLNDC00026872

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311

space.

However, the electrodes 52 might also function

as buttons.
area.

Thus, there could be dual use of the same

If the electrodes are active, then an electrode

switch might be actuated.
5

If the electrodes are

inactive, then the mechanical dome switches maybe
actuated to provide a different input.
It is to be understood that the above-described

arrangements are only illustrative of the application
of the principles of the present invention.
10

Numerous

modifications and alternative arrangements may be
devised by those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The appended claims are intended to cover such
modifications and arrangements.

15

11

APLNDC00026873

WO 2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:
1.

A single-layer touchpad for providing input to a

device having a display screen, said single-layer
5

touchpad comprised of:
a first active electrode disposed in at least two

discrete regions of a touch-sensitive area, wherein

the first active electrode is generally transparent
when disposed over a display screen;
10

a sense electrode disposed adjacent to the first

active electrode in the at least two discrete regions,
wherein the sense electrode is generally transparent

when disposed over the display screen; and
a touchpad sensing circuit coupled to the first

15

active electrode and to the sense electrode, wherein
the touchpad sensing circuit determines when a
pointing object makes contact in the touch-sensitive

area, and wherein the touchpad sensing circuit
determines in which of the at least two discrete
20

regions the pointing object has made contact.

12

APLNDC00026874

WO2004/013833

PCT/US2003/024311
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PCT/US2003/024311
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WO 2004/013833

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PCT/US2003/024311
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APLNDC00026878

(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)

(19) World Intellectual Property

inte°2'ai" aiati°" as

Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli

(43) International Publication Date

(10) International Publication Number

12 February 2004 (12.02.2004)
(51) International Patent Classification':

PCT
GO9G 5/00

(21) International Application Number:
PCT/US2003/024311

WO 2004/013833 A3
(74) Agents: O'BRYANT, David, W. et al.; Morriss O'Bryant
Compagni, P.C., 136 South Main Street, Suite 700, Salt
Lake City, UT 84101 (US).

4 August 2003 (04.08.2003)

(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU,

(25) Filing Language:

English

(26) Publication Language:

English

CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH,
GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC,
LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW,
MX, MZ, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC,
SD, SE, SG, SK, ST , SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA
'
UG, UZ, VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.

(22) International Filing Date:

(30) Priority Data:
60/400,843

2 August 2002 (02.08.2002)

US

(71) Applicant: CIRQUE CORPORATION [US/US1; 2463
South 3850 West, Suite A, Salt Lake City, UT 84120 (US).
(72) Inventors: TAYLOR, Brian; 15 Rollingwood Lane,
Sandy, UT 84092 (US). TAYLOR, David; 1545 East
2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105 (US). LAYTON,
Michael, D.; 1047 East Yale Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT
84105 (US).

(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
KE, T S, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW),
Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
European patent (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE,
ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, RO,
SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM,
GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
[Continued on next page]

(54) Title: SINGLE-LAYER TOUCHPAD HAVING TOUCH ZONES
(57) Abstract: A single-layer touchpad (100) comprised
of a relatively clear substrate, a first active electrode
disposed thereon (20), and a sense electrode (30) disposed
thereon, wherein the first active electrode and the sense
electrode are comprised of a conductive material, wherein
the first active electrode (20) in combination with the
sense electrode (30) are used to detect the presence of a
pointing object in a zone (12), determining in which zone
the pointing object has been detected, or the simultaneous
presence of multiple pointing objects in multiple zones,
and wherein the first active electrode and/or the sense
electrode are made sufficiently visible so that a pattern is
visually detectable to the user when looking at the display
screen (104).

APLNDC00026879

WO 2004/013833 A3 Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Published:
- with international search report

For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guidance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations" appearing at the begin-

(88) Date of publication of the international search report:
11 August 2005

ning ofeach regular issue of the PCT Gazette.

APLNDC00026880

INTERNATIONAL Sraucr•

REPORT

International application No.

PCT/USos/2+311
A.

CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
IPC(7)
US CL

:Go9G 5/00
:345/178, 169.

According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC

B.

FIELDS SEARCHED

Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
U.S.

;

345/178, 169.

Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields
searched

Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)

EAST

C.

DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT

Category*

Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages

X

US 2002/0093491 A1 (GILLESPIE et al) 18 July 2002, page 15, 1
paragraphs 198-200, page 16, paragraph 216, and page 22,
paragraphs 191-192.

X

Relevant to claim No.

US 2002/0015024 A1 (WESTERMAN et al) 07 February 2002, page 1
4, paragraph 37, page 8, paragraphs 115 and 117, and page 26,

paragraph 267.

Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C.
*

Special categories of cited accumenta

"A"

See patent famdy a nex.

document defining the general state of the art which is not consideled

"T'

the principle or theory underlying the invention

to be of particuar relevance
"B"

annument of partionlar relevance; the elzimed invention cannot he

carlier document published on er after the international filing dzie

"I?

document which may throw doubts ca priority claim(s) or which is
efted to establish the publication date of another citation or other
special reason (as specifie&)

"O"

document published prior to the internations1 filing dato but later

consideleil novel er cannot be conshlexed to involve an inventive step
when the document is taken alone
"Y

document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other

"P"

later Roonment publisheil after the international filing date or priority
data and not in conniet with the application but cited to undnistand

means

document of particular ielevance; the chimed invention cannot be
considezed to involve an inventive stop when the document is combined
with one or mole other such doenments, such combination being

obvious to a person skilled in the art
n&"

toenment member of the same patent family

than the priority date chimed

Date of the actual completion of the international search

os NOVEMBER ecos
Name and mailing address of the ISA/US
Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
Box PCT
Washington, D.C. 20231
Facsimile No.

(7os) 305-3280

Date of mailing of the international search report

25 NOV 2003
uthorized officer
RICARDO OSORIO
Telephone No.

(708) 305-9€+8

Form PCT/ISA/elo (second sheet) (July 1998)*

APLNDC00026881

VIA EFS
Docket No. 106842009000
Client Ref. No. P3266US1
(PATENT)
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TR ADEMARK OFFICE
In re Patent Application of:
Steven HOTELLING et al.

Examiner: Kimnhung T. Nguyen
Group Art Unit: 2629

Serial No.: 10/840,862
Confirmation No.: 8470
Filing Date: May 6, 2004

For:

MULTI-POINT TOUCHSCREEN

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION DISCLOS STATEMENT UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 1.97 & 1.98
MS Amendment
Commissioner for Patents

P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Dear Madam:
Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.97 and § 1.98, Applicants submit for consideration in the
above-identified application the document listed on the attached Form PTO/SB/08a/b. A copy of
the document is also submitted herewith. The Examiner is requested to make this document of
record.
Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.704(d), I hereby certify that each item of information
contained in this Information Disclosure Statement was first cited in any communication from a
foreign patent office in a counterpart application and that this c-.······unication was not received by
any individual designated in § 1.56(c) more than thirty days prior to the filing of this Supplemental
Information Disclosure Statement.

la-1027456

APLNDC00026882

Application No. 10/840,862

Patent
Docket No. 106842009000
Client Reference No. P3266US1

The documents listed on the attached Form PTO/SB/08a/b were cited in an Office
Action mailed on April 6, 2009, directed to a counterpart international or foreign application and
have not been previously cited. A certification under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97(e)(l) follows:
I hereby certify that each item of information was first cited in any communication from
a foreign patent office in a counterpart foreign application not more than three months prior to the
filing of this Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement.
This Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement is submitted:
With the application; accordingly, no fee or separate requirements are required.
Before the mailing of a first Office Action after the filing of a Request for Continued
Examination under § 1.114. However, if applicable, a certification under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97
(e)(l) has been provided.
Within three months of the application filing date or before mailing of a first Office Action
on the merits; accordingly, no fee or separate requirements are required. However, if
applicable, a certification under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97 (e)(1) has been provided.
After receipt of a first Office Action on the merits but before mailing of a final Office Action
or Notice of Allowance.
A fee is required. A check in the amount of _ is enclosed.
O

A fee is required. Accordingly, a Fee Transmittal form (PTO/SB/17) is attached to
this submission in duplicate.
A Certification under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97(e) is provided above; accordingly; no fee is
believed to be due.

O

After mailing of a final Office Action or Notice of Allowance, but before payment of the
issue fee.
A Certification under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97(e) is provided above and a check in the
amount of
O

is enclosed.

A Certification under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97(e) is provided above and a Fee Transmittal
form (PTO/SB/17) is attached to this submission in duplicate.

la-1027456

2

APLNDC00026883

Application No. 10/840,862

Patent

Docket No. 106842009000
Client Reference No. P3266US1

Applicants would appreciate the Examiner initialing and returning the Form
PTO/SB/08a/b, indicating that the information has been considered and made of record herein.
The information contained in this Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement under
37 C.F.R. § 1.97 and § 1.98 is not to be construed as a representation that: (i) a complete search has
been made; (ii) additional information material to the examination of this application does not exist;
(iii) the information, protocols, results and the like reported by third parties are accurate or enabling;
or (iv) the above information constitutes prior art to the subject invention.
In the unlikely event that the transmittal form is separated from this document and the
Patent and Trademark Office determines that an extension and/or other relief (such as payment of a
fee under 37 C.F.R. § 1.17 (p)) is required, Applicants petition for any required relief including
extensions of time and authorize the Commissioner to charge the cost of such petition and/or other
fees due in connection with the filing of this document to Denosit Account No. 03-1952

referencing 106842009000.

Dated: Ivlay 9, 2009

Respectfully submitted,

GlennM. Kubota
Registration No.: 44,197

MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
555 West Fifth Street

Los Angeles, California 90013-1024
[phone]

la-1027456

3

APLNDC00026884

Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt
EFS ID:

5306335

Application Number:

10840862

International Application Number:
Confirmation Number:

8470

Title of Invention:

Multipoint touchscreen

First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:

Steve Hotelling

Customer Number:

69753

Filer:

Glen Masashi Kubota/Lisa Bronk

Filer Authorized By:

Glen Masashi Kubota

Attorney Docket Number:

106842009000

Receipt Date:

09-MAY-2009

Filing Date:

06-MAY-2004

Time Stamp:

17:49:55

Application Type:

Utility under 35 USC 111(a)

Payment information:
Submitted w th Payment

no

File Listing:
Document
Number

.
Document Description

i

File Name

File Size(Bytes)/
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Message Digest

Multi
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Part /.zip (if appl.)

164722

1

2009000lDSWCERT.pdf

yes

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APLNDC00026885

Multipart Description/PDF files in .zip description
Document Description

Start

End

Transmittal Letter

1

3

Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Filed (SB/08)

4

4

Warnings:
Information:
878773

2

Foreign Reference

1_WOO4013833A2A3.pdf

no

20

036c7ca00a7b0c467ecdb8c23fdfbc1c0580
4a25

Warnings:
Information:
Total Files Size (in bytes)

1043495

This Acknowledgement Receipt evidences receipt on the noted date by the USPTO of the indicated documents,
characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable. It serves as evidence of receipt similar to a
Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
New Agglications Under 35 U.S.C.111
If a new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary components for a filing date (see 37 CFR
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Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the filing date of the application.
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If a timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions of 35
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national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be issued in addition to the Filing Receipt, in due course.
New International Agglication Filed with the USPTO as a Receivin10ffice
If a new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary components for
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the application.

APLNDC00026886

10840862
PLUS Search Results for S/N 10840862, Searched Tue May 12 07:38:49 EDT 2009

The Patent Linguistics Utility System (PLUS) is a USPTO automated search system
for U.S. Patents from 1971 to the present PLUS is a query-by-example search system which
produces a list of patents that are most closely related linguistically to the application
searched. This search was prepared by the staff of the Scientific and Technical Information
Center, SIRA.
485349899
6138523 99
5241308 99
5404443 99
5642185 99
5917477 99
6023265 99
20060097991
20090066670
20090096757
20090096758
5404458 90
5751276 90
5818450 90
5943043 90
4623757 90
4868912 90
5428367 90
5483261 90
6028581 90
6028595 90
6061177 90
6072475 90
6232961 90
4465465 90
4833592 90
4837430 90
4888479 90
4922061 90
4933544 90
5053757 90
5313051 90
5347940 90
5559301 90
5565658 90
5580662 90
5670987 90
5708460 90
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5777596 90
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5982355 90
6104443 90
6118435 90
6143181 90
6229529 90
6343519 90
6480187 90
6504530 90

662601390

99
99
99
99

APLNDC00026887

Receipt date: 03/18/2009

10840862 - GAU: 2629
ALTERNATIVE TO PTO/SB/08A/B

(Based on PTO 08-08 version)
Substitute for form 1449/PTo

Complete if Known
10/840,862

Application Number

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT BY APPLICANT

Filing Date
May 6, 2004
FirstNamedinventor Steve P. HOTELLING
Art Unit

Sheet

1

of

K. Nguyen

Attorney Docket Number

1

2629

Examiner Name

(Use as many sheets as necessary)

/

106842009000

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
Examiner
Initials*

Cite

Document Number

No.1

Number-Kind Code' (ifknown)

' Publication Date
MM-DD-YYYY

US-5,942,733

08-24-1999 Allen et al.

1.

Name of Patentee or
Applicant of Cited Document

Reageesan asmSna eLs
e vea
Figures Appear

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Examiner
Initials*

Cite
No.'

2.

Foreign Patent Document
Country Code3-Number'-Kind Code6(ifknown)

WO-2005/114369-A2, A3

agg

/

Publication
Date
MM-DD-YYYY

Name of Patentee or
Applicant of Cited Document

Pages, Columns, Lines,
Where Relevant Passages
Or Relevant Figures Appear f

_12-01-2005 _Apple Computer, Inc.

Ilimn lung oguyent

gesidered

*EXAMINER: Initial if information considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not
considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant. ' Applicant's unique citation designation number (optional). * See Kinds Codes of
USPTO Patent Documents at www.usoto.aov or MPEP 901.04. a Enter Office that issued the document, by the two-letter code (WIPO Standard ST.3). For

Japanese patent documents, the indication of the year of the reign of the Emperor must precede the serial number of the patent document. "Kind of document by
the appropriate symbols as indicated on the document under WIPO Standard ST. 16 if possible.

Translation is attached.

Applicant is to place a check mark here if English language

NON PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS
Examiner
Initials

Cite
No.1

3.
4
5

s "|" /

include name of the author (in CAPITAL LETTERS), title of the article (when appropriate), title of
the item (book, magazine, journal, serial, symposium, catalog, etc.), date, page(s), volume-issue
number(s), publisher, city and/or country where published.

T2

U.S. Patent Application No. 12/267,522, filed November 7, 2008, by Hotelling et al. (copy not
attached.)
U.S. Patent Application No. 12/267,532, filed November 7, 2008, by Hotelling et al. (copy not
attached.)
U.S. Patent Application No. 12/267,540, filed November 7, 2008, by Hotelling et al. (copy not
attached.)

/Kimnhung Nguyen/

ICD nesidered ; 05 29/2009

*EXAMINER: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not
considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant.
'Applicant's unique citation designation number (optional). "Applicant is to place a check mark here if English language Translation is attached.

ALL REFERENCES CONSIDERED EXCEPT WHERE LINED THROUGH. K.N.!

la-1017365

APLNDC00026888

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
www.uspto.gov

APPLICATION NO.

/

10/840,862
69753

FILING DATE

/

FIRST NAMED um van iuR

ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. /

CONFIPMATION NO.

SteveHotelling

106842009000

8470

05/06/2004
7590

06/02/2009

APPLE C/O MORRISON AND FOERSTER ,LLP
LOS ANGELES
555 WEST
S
T SUITE 3500
LOS ANGELES, CA 90013-1024

EXAMINER
NGUYEN, KIMNHUNG T
ARTUNIT

/

PAPERJwivory

/

D

2629

MAIL DATE

06/02/2009

Y MODE

PAPER

Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.

PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)

APLNDC00026889

Application No.
10/840,862
Examiner

Office Action Summary

Applicant(s)
HOTELLING ET AL.
Art Unit

KIMNHUNG NGUYEN
2629
-- The MAILING DATE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --

Period for Reply
A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE _3 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
- Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
- If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).

Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).

Status
1)
2a)
3)

Responsive to communication(s) filed on 20 Februarv 2009.
This action is FINAL.
2b) This action is non-final.
Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
closed in accordance with the practice under Ex parte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.

Disposition of Claims
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

Claim(s) 1.2 4-13.15-26 and 32-En islare pending in the application.
4a) Of the above claim(s)
islare withdrawn from consideration.
Claim(s) 1 9 a.12 and 29.45 islare allowed.
Claim(s) 13 and 47-50 islare rejected.
Claim(s) 15-26 and 46 islare objected to.
Claim(s)
are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.

Application Papers
9)O The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
10)O The drawing(s) filed on
islare: a)O accepted or b)

objected to by the Examiner.

Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).

11)O The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.

Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
12)O Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
a) All b) Some * c) None of:
1.
Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
2.
Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
3.
Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.

Attachment(s)
1)
Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
2) O Notice of Draftsperson's Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
3)
Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SBIO8)
Paper No(s)/Mail Date 2/iRio slo/no

4) O Interview Summary (PTO-413)
Paper No(s)/Mail Date.
5) O Notice of Informal Patent Application
6) O Other:

U.s. Patent and Trademark Office

PTOL-326 (Rev. 08-06)

Office Action Summary

Part of Paper No.lMail Date 20090528

APLNDC00026890

Application/Control Number: 10/840,862

Page 2

Art Unit: 2629
DETAILED ACTION

1

This application has been examined. The claims 1, 2, 4-13, 15-26 and 32-50 are pending.

The examination results are as following.

Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
2.

The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all

obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in
section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are
such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person
having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the
manner in which the invention was made.

3.

Claims 13 and 47-50 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Hsu

et al. (US 7,030,860) in view of Fujimoto (US 6,061,177).
As to claim 13, Hsu disclose in fig. 5D, a display arrangement comprising: a display
having a screen for displaying a graphical user interface (see abstract); and a transparent touch
panel (transparent touch sensing, see abstract) allowing the screen to be viewed therethrough the
sensor (see abstract) and capable of recognizing multiple touch events that occur at different
locations on the touch panel (see finger position X/Y, that is different locations at X and Y) at a
same time and to output this information to a host device to form a pixilated image (by X/Y

positions); wherein the touch panel includes a multipoint sensing (X/Y positions, see abstract)
arrangement configured to detect a change in capacitive coupling associate with those touch
events (see col. 8, lines 38-41) and should be at distinct points across the touch panel. However,
Hsu does not specifically disclose multipoint sensing configured to simultaneously detect and
monitor the touch events.

APLNDC00026891

Application/Control Number: 10/840,862

Page 3

Art Unit: 2629
Fujimoto discloses in fig. 1, a touch screen input device and method for use with a rearmounted video. The touch screen input device operates equally well in an environment with any

level of ambient light or no ambient and can simultaneously detect multiple touches (see
abstract, see col. 11, 7-16).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention

was made to implement the touch screen input device operates and can simultaneously detect
multiple touches as taught by Fujimoto into display system comprising graphic user interface and
multipoint sensing arranged of Hsu for producing the claimed invention because this would the

coordinates of the remaining, approximately finger tip-sized, touches are sent to the computer
operation system as touch inputs (see col. 11, lines 13-15).
As to claims 47-50, Hsu et al. disclose further the display comprising multipoint sensing
(coordinates X/Y) arrangement formed on single side of a substrate or on both sides of a single
substrate (see col. 8, lines 1-21), and the transparent substrate is formed from glass (because
transparent substrate always formed by glass for human eye can easily detect any systematic
misalignment between the trace array patterns (see col. 8, lines 13-21).
Allowable Subject Matter

4.

Claims 1-2, 4-12, 32-45 are allowed.

5.

Claims 24-26 and 46 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but

would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base
claim and any intervening claims.

APLNDC00026892

Application/Control Number: 10/840,862

Page 4

Art Unit: 2629
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
None of the cited art teaches or suggests a touch panel having a transparent capacitive sensing
medium, wherein the transparent capacitive sensing medium çomprises a transparent eleçtrode

laver. the electrode layer inçluding a gurality_of electrically isolated electrodes and electrode
traces formed from a transparent çonduçtive material, eaçh of the electrodes being placed at

different locations in theJane of the touchlanel, çaçh of the eleçtrodes havinian individual
traçe for operatively coupling to capacitive monitorinteirçuitry as claims 1 and 39; or a second

layer spatiallX separated from the first layer and having a guralit of transparent geçoad
conductive lines that are eleçtrically isolated from one another, the seçond çonduçtive lines being

positioned transverse to the first conductive lines, the intergeçtion of transverse lines being
positioned at different lgçations in the plane of the touch panel, eaçh of the second

conductive lines being operativelv coupled to capacitiyç monitorinicirçuitry wherein the
capacitive monitoring cirçuitry is çonfigured to deteçt çhanges in çharge coupling between the

first conductive lines and the second conductive lines as claim 7; or wherein the multipoint
sensine arrangement nrovides a oluralitv of transnarent canacitive sensine nodes that work
independent of one another and that represent different points on the touch as claim 15; or a glass

member disposed over the screen of the display; a transparent conductive layer disposed over the
glass member, the conductive layer including a pixilated array of electrically isolated electrodes;
a transparent cover sheet disposed over the electrode layer; and one or more sensor integrated
circuits operatively coupled to the electrodes as claim 24; or a seçond transparent çonduçtiye layer
disnosed over the second class member. the second transnarent conductive laver comorising a

plurality_of spaced apart parallel lines having the same pitch and linewidths, the parallel lines of

APLNDC00026893

Application/Control Number: 10/840,862

Page 5

Art Unit: 2629
the seçond transparent çonduçtiye layer beinLsubstantially perpendiçular to the parallel lines of

the first transparent conductive laver: a third_glass membçr disposed eyer the sççond transparent
çonduçtiye lay.er; and one or more sensor integrated çirçuits operatively.coupled to the lines as

claim 25; or a yirtual_ground çharge amplifier coupled to the touchlanel for detectinghe touçh
events on the touch panel as claim 46.

Response to Arguments

6.

Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 1-2, 4-13, 15-26 and 32-50 filed 2/20/09

have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection.
Correspondence
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the

examiner should be directed to KIlvl INN U ING NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)2727698. The examiner can normally be reached on MON-FRI, FROM 8:30 AM-5:30 PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
supervisor, Richard Hjerpe can be reached on [phone]. The fax phone number for the
organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.

APLNDC00026894

Application/Control Number: 10/840,862

Page 6

Art Unit: 2629
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished

applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR
system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would
like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated

information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/Kimnhung Nguyen/
Examiner, Art Unit 2629

APLNDC00026895

Application/Control No.

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination
HOTELLING ET AL.

10/840,862

Notice of References Cited

- Art Unit

Examiner
KIMNHUNG NGUYEN

2629

-

Page 1 of 1

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
Document Number
Country Code-Number-Kind Code

*

Date
MM-YYYY /

*

A

US-7,030,860

04-2006

*

B

US-6,061,177

05-2000

C

US-

E

US-

F

US-

G

US-

H

US-

i

US-

J

US-

K

US-

L

US-

M

Classification

US-

D

Name

, Hsu et al.

345/173

US-

Fujimoto, Kenneth Noboru

359/443

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Document Number
Country Code-Number-Kind Code

*

Date
MM-YYYY

Country

Name

Classification

N
O

P
Q

R
S

T
NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS
*

Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages)
U

V

W

X
*A copy of this reference is not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP §707.05(a).)

Dates in MM-YYYY format are publication dates. Classifications may be US or foreign.
u.s. Patent and Trademark Office

PTO-892 (Rev. 01-2001)

Notice of References Cited

Part of Paper No. 20090528

APLNDC00026896

Application/Control No.
10840862

HOTELLING ET AL.

Examiner

Art Unit

KIMNHUNG NGUYEN

Index of ClaimS

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination

2629

/

Rejected

-

Cancelled

N

Non-Elected

A

Appeal

=

Allowed

÷

Restricted

I

Interference

O

Objected

O Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant

CLAIM
Final

Original
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

O

CPA

T.D.

O

R.1.47

DATE
12/20/2008 05/29/2009
v
=
v
=

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

v
v
v
v
v
v
o
o
v
v

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
/

v

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v
v
v
v
v
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o
o
o
o
o

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

v
v
v
v
v

=
=
=
=
=
Part of Paper No. : 20090528

APLNDC00026897

Application/Control No.
10840862

HOTELLING ET AL.

Examiner

Art Unit

KIMNHUNG NGUYEN

Index of ClaimS

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination

2629

/

Rejected

-

Cancelled

N

Non-Elected

A

Appeal

=

Allowed

÷

Restricted

I

Interference

O

Objected

O Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant

CLAIM
Final

Original
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

O

CPA

T.D.

O

R.1.47

DATE
12/20/2008 05/29/2009|
v
=
v
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/

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Part of Paper No. : 20090528

APLNDC00026898

EAST Search History

EAST Search History

i Ref # Hits

Search Query

DBs

Default
Operator

Plurals Time Stamp

i S1

12

US-PGPUB;
USPAT

OR

OFF

2008/05/09
17:09

i S2

281

(("20020015024") or
("3662105") or ("3798370") or
("5825351") or ("6188391") or
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("6593916") or ("6650319") or
("6677932") or ("6856259") or
("6888536")).PN.
(touch panel) and (transparent
capacitive) and (multiple

US-PGPUB;
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OR

OFF

2008/05/09
17:38

touches) and traces and

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345/173-179.ccls.

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2008/05/09
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2008/05/09
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2008/12/19
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2008/12/19
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1

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("20050146511").PN.

i S6

1

("20050146511").PN.

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455

((touch screen) or (touch
panel)) and (transparent

US-PGPUB;
USPAT
US-PGPUB;
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capacitance capacitive) and

Uwom; FPRS;

traces and 345/173

EPO; JPO;
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381

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i S9

186

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file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Settings/KNguyen10/My%20...0862/EASTSearchHistory.10840862_AccessibleVersion.htm (1 of3)5/29/09 11:39:38 AM

APLNDC00026899

EAST Search History

|S10

1

89 and (transparent adj
electrode adj layer)

i S11

78

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i S12

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"5751276""5818450"
"5943043""4623757"
"4868912""5428367"
"5483261""6028581"
"6028595""6061177"
"6072475""6232961"
"4465465""4833592"
"4837430""4888479"
"4922061""4933544"
"5053757" "5313051"
"5347940""5559301"
"5565658""5580662"
"5670987""5708460"
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("20060022956")or
("20060026535")or
("2006026536")or
("20060032680")or
("20060066582")or
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CX¯F

2008/12/19
18:30

OR

OFF

2008/12/19
18:31

6

ÖÑ ÖŠ iS
13:32

OFF

/05/28
14:53

file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Settings/KNguyen10/My%20...0862/EASTSearchHistory.10840862_AccessibleVersion.htm(2of3)5/29/0911:39:38Al\I

APLNDC00026900

EAST Search History

15

i S15

6

i S16

4451

US-PGPUB;

(transparent sensing sensor
senses) same (multiple
touches) same location same
(electrodes traces) same

i S14

("4672364") or ("4672558") or
("4692809") or ("4695827") or
("4733222") or ("4734685") or
("4746770") or ("4771276") or
("4788384") or ("4806846") or
("4898555") or ("4968877") or
("5003519") or ("5017030") or
("5178477") or ("5189403") or
("5194862") or ("5224861") or
("5241308") or ("5252951") or
("5281966") or ("5305017") or
("5345543") or ("5376948") or
("5398310") or ("5442742")).
PN.
(touch panel) same

USPAT;
UwoM; FPRS;
EPO; JPO;
DERWENT;

(individual trace)
S14 and (@ad< = "20040506")

I BM_TDB
US-PGPUB;
USPAT;
Uwom; FPRS;
EPO; JPO;
DERWENT;
I BM_TDB
(touch panel) and (transparent US-PGPUB;

sensing sensor senses) and

DERWENT;
I BM_TDB
US-PGPUB;
USPAT;
Uwom; FPRS;
EPO; JPO;
DERWENT;
I BM_TDB

15:06

OR

OFF

2009/05/28
15:07

OR

OFF

2009/05/28

EPO; JPO;

and traces

2009/05/28

Uwom; FPRS;

(electrodes layer) and location

OFF

USPAT;

(multiple touches) and

OR

i S17

282

S16 and 345/173-179.ccls.

i S18

101

S17 and (@ad< = "20040506")

US-PGPUB;
USPAT;
UwoM; FPRS;
EPO; JPO;
DERWENT;
I BM_TDB

15:10

OR

OFF

2009/05/28
15:11

OR

OFF

2009/05/28
15:11

5/ 29/ 09 11:39:26 AM

C:\ Documents and Settings\ KNguyen10\ My Documents\ EAST\ Workspaces\ 10840862.wsp

file:///Cl/Documents%20and%20Settings/KNguyen10/My%20...0862/EASTSearchHistory.10840862_AccessibleVersion.htm(3 of3)5/29/0911:39:38 AM

APLNDC00026901

Receipt date: 05/09/2009

10840862 - GAU: 2629
ALTERNATIVE TO PTOISBIO8A/B

(Based on PTO 08-08 version)

Complete if Known

Substitute for form 1449/PTO

-

Application Number

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT BY APPLICANT

10/840,862

Filing Date
May 6, 2004
FirstNamedinventor Steven P. HOTELLING
Art Unit

Examiner Name

Sheet

1

of

1

Kimnhung T. Nguyen

Attorney Docket Number

(Use as many sheets as necessary)

2629

106842009000
Client Ref. P3266US1

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
Examiner

Cite

Initials*

No.1 | Number-Kind Code2 (iknown)

Document Number

i Publication Date

Name of Patentee or

MM-DD-YYYY

Applicant of Cited Document

RP le an

asmsna eLs o

ev t

Figures Appear

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Foreign Patent Document
Examiner
initials*

Cite
No.'

.K! 1.

Countly Code"-Number'-Kind Code6 (ifknown)

WO-2004/013833-A2, A3

Examiner
sinnature /

Publication
Date
MM-DD-YYYY

Name of Patentee or
Applicant of Cited Document

Pages, Columns, Lines,
Where Relevant Passages
Or Relevant Figures Appear f

02-12-2004 Ciraue Corporation

/Kimnhuna Nauven/

Date
/Considered

*EXAMINER: Initial if information considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not
considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant, * Applicant's unique citation designation number (optional). 2 See Kinds Codes of
USPTO Patent Documents at www.usoto.aov or MPEP 901.04. Enter Office that issued the document, by the two-letter code (WIPO Standard ST.3). * For
Japanese patent documents, the indication of the year of the reign of the Emperor must precede the serial number of the patent document. Kind of document by
the appropriate symbols as indicated on the document under WIPO Standard ST. 16 if possible. "Applicant is to place a check mark here if English language

Translation is attached.

NON PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS
miner

Cite

s a"A"|

Include name of the author (in CAPITAL LE I I ERb), title of the article (wnen appropnate), titie oT
the item (book, magazine, journal, serial, symposium, catalog, etc.), date, page(s), volume-issue

/Kimnhung Nguyen

T2

n°sidered / 05/29/2009

*EXAMINER: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not
considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant.

'Applicant's unique citation designation number (optional). 'Applicant is to place a check mark here if English language Translation is attached.

la-1027459

APLNDC00026902

Application No.: 10/840,862

2

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

AMENDMENTS TO THE CL MMS
Claim 1 (previously presented):

A touch panel having a transparent capacitive

sensing medium configured to detect multiple touches or near touches that occur at a same time
and at distinct locations in a plane of the touch panel and to produce distinct signals
representative of a location of the touches on the plane of the touch panel for each of the multiple
touches;
wherein the transparent capacitive sensing medium comprises a transparent electrode
layer, the electrode layer including a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes and electrode
traces formed from a transparent conductive material, each of the electrodes being placed at
different locations in the plane of the touch panel, each of the electrodes having an individual
trace for operatively coupling to capacitive monitoring
Claim 2 (original):

try.

The touch panel as recited in claim 1 wherein the transparent

sensing medium includes a pixilated array of transparent capacitance sensing nodes.
Claim 3 (canceled)
Claim 4 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 1 further

including one or more integrated circuits for monitoring the capacitance at each of the electrodes,
the integrated circuits being operatively coupled to the electrodes via the traces.
Claim 5 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 1 wherein the

electrodes are placed in rows and columns.
Claim 6 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 1 wherein the

electrodes and traces are formed from indium tin oxide (ITO).

la-1035084

APLNDC00026903

Application No.: 10/840,862

3

Claim 7 (previously presented):

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

A touch panel comprising a transparent capacitive

sensing medium configured to detect multiple touches or near touches that occur at a same time
and at distinct locations in a plane of the touch panel and to produce distinct signals
representative of a location of the touches on the plane of the touch panel for each of the multiple
touches, wherein the transparent capacitive sensing medium comprises:
a first layer having a plurality of transparent first conductive lines that are electrically
isolated from one another; and
a second layer spatially separated from the first layer and having a plurality of transparent
second conductive lines that are electrically isolated from one another, the second conductive
lines being positioned transverse to the first conductive lines, the intersection of transverse lines
being positioned at different locations in the plane of the touch panel, each of the second
conductive lines being operatively coupled to capacitive monitoring circuitry;
wherein the capacitive monitoring circuitry is configured to detect changes in charge
coupling between the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines.
Claim 8 (original):

The touch panel as recited in claim 7 wherein the conductive lines

on each of the layers are substantially parallel to one another.
Claim 9 (original):

The touch panel as recited in claim 8 wherein the conductive lines

on different layers are substantially perpendicular to one another.
Claim 10 (currently amended):

The touch panel as recited in claim 7 wherein the

transparent first conductive lines of the first layer are disposed on a first glass member, and
wherein the transparent second conductive lines of the second layer are disposed on a second
glass member, the first glass member being disposed over the second glass member.

la-1035084

APLNDC00026904

Application No.: 10/840,862
Claim 11 (original):

4

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

The touch panel as recited in claim 10 further including a third

glass member disposed over the first glass member, the first and second glass members being
attached to one another via an adhesive layer, the third glass member being attached to the first
glass member via another adhesive layer.
Claim 12 (original):

The touch panel as recited in claim 7 wherein the conductive lines

are formed from indium tin oxide (ITO).
Claims 13 and 14 (canceled)

Claim 15 (---,,tly amended):

_A

displav stessisagement çqmpr1smg:
a displaghaving_a screen for displaying a graphical user interface; and
a transparent touch

nel allowing the screen to be viewed therethrçugh and gapable of

recoomzmg multiple touch events that occur at d fferent gçations on the tguçh pane at a same
time and to output this infgrmation tg a hggt deviçe to form a pixilated image;
wherein the touchanel includes a multippint sensing arrangement çqnfigured to
.simultaneousidetect and monitor the touch events and a change in çapaçitive çoup ing
agenciater1 with those tonch events at distinct noints across the touch vanel: and

wherein the multipoint sensing arrangement provides a plurality of transparent capacitive
sensing nodes that work independent of one another and that represent different points on the
touch soroonpanel.
Claim 16 (original):

The display arrangement as recited in claim 15 wherein the

capacitive sensing nodes are formed with a transparent conductive medium.
Claim 17 (original):

The display arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein the

transparent conductive medium corresponds to indium tin oxide (ITO).

la-1035084

APLNDC00026905

Application No.: 10/840,862
Claim 18 (original):

5

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

The display arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein the

capacitive sensing nodes are based on self capacitance.

Claim 19 (currently amended):

The display -,gement as recited in claim 18

wherein the transparent conductive medium is patterned into electrically isolated electrodes and
traces, each electrode representing a different coordinate in the plane of the touch eereenpanel,
and the traces connecting the electrodes to a capacitive sensing circuit.
Claim 20 (original):

The display arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein the

capacitive sensing nodes are based on mutual capacitance.

Claim 21 (- ----- --tly amended):

The display ------gement as recited in claim

[[18]]2_0 wherein the transparent conductive medium is patterned into a group of spatially
separated lines formed on two different layers, driving lines are formed on a first layer and
sensing lines are formed on a second layer, the sensing lines being configured to traverse across
the driving lines in order to form a capacitive sensing node, the driving lines being connected to
a voltage source and the sensing lines being connected to a capacitive sensing circuit, the voltage
source driving a current through one driving line at a time and because of capacitive coupling,
the current is carried through to the sensing lines at each of the capacitive sensing nodes.
Claim 22 (original):

The display arrangement as recited in claim 16 wherein the

capacitive sensing nodes are coupled to a capacitive sensing circuit, and wherein the capacitive
sensing circuit monitors changes in capacitance that occurs at each of the capacitive sensing
nodes, the position where changes occur and the magnitude of those changes being used to help

recognize the multiple touch events.

la-1035084

APLNDC00026906

Application No.: 10/840,862
Claim 23 (c

tly amended):

6

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

The display arrangement as recited in claim 22

wherein the capacitive sensing circuit comprises:
a multiplexer (MUX) that receives signals from each of the capacitive sensing nodes at
the same time, stores all the signals and sequentially releases the signals one at a time through an
output channel;
an analog to digital converter operatively coupled to the MUX through the output
channel, the analog to digital converter being configured to convert the Msignals
into outgoing digital signals;
a digital signal processor (DSP) operatively coupled to the analog to digital converter, the
DSP filtering noise events from the-raw data, calculating the-touch boundaries for each touch
event that occurs on the touch serecopanel at the same time and thereafter determining the
coordinates for each touch event.
Claim 24 (currently amended):

_A

disclav arranaement comorising:
a display having a screen for displaying a graphical user interface; and
a transparent touch panel alloWing the screen19 þe yiewed therethrough and capable of
recogmzing multiple touch events that occur at different locations on the touch panel at a same
time and to outnut this information to a host device to form a oixilated imaze:
wherein the touch nanel includes a multinoint sensine arranaement confizured to
simultaneouslv detect and monitor the touch events and a chanee in cavacitive couoline
associated with those touch events at distinct ooints across the touch vanel: and
wherein the touch panel comprises:
a glass member disposed over the screen of the display;

a transparent conductive layer disposed over the glass member, the conductive
layer including a pixilated array of electrically isolated electrodes;
a transparent cover sheet disposed over the eleetredeconductive layer; and
one or more sensor integrated circuits operatively coupled to the electrodes.

la-1035084

APLNDC00026907

Application No.: 10/840,862

7

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

Claim 25 (currently amended):
disp ay

A

diement pompnsmg:

a disclav having a screen for disclavine a eraohical user interface: and
g transparent touçh panel allgwing the screen to be viewed therethrough and capable of

recognizinimultiple toyçh gyggts thgt gççut at different igçatigny on the (gyçh panel at a game
time and to outout this information to a host device to form a oixilated imaze:
wherein the touch canel includes a multinoint sensine arranaement confieured to
simultançous) deteçt and monitor the touch events and a change in capacitive coupling
associated with those touch events at distinct ooints across the touch vanel: and
wherein the touch panel comprises:
a first glass member disposed over the screen of the display;
a first transparent conductive layer disposed over the first glass member, the first
transparent conductive layer comprising a plurality of spaced apart parallel lines having the same

pitch and linewidths;
a second glass member disposed over the first transparent conductive layer;
a second transparent conductive layer disposed over the second glass member, the
second transparent conductive layer comprising a plurality of spaced apart parallel lines having
the same pitch and linewidths, the parallel lines of the second transparent conductive layer being
substantially perpendicular to the parallel lines of the first transparent conductive layer;
a third glass member disposed over the second transparent conductive layer; and
one or more sensor integrated circuits operatively coupled to the lines.
Claim 26 (original):

The display arrangement as recited in claim 25 further including

d........y features disposed in the space between the parallel lines, the dummy features optically
improving the visual appearance of the touch screen by more closely matching the optical index
of the lines.
Claims 27-31 (canceled)

la-1035084

APLNDC00026908

Application No.: 10/840,862
Claim 32 (previously presented):

8

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

The touch panel as recited in claim 1, further

comprising a virtual ground charge amplifier coupled to the touch panel for detecting the touches
on the touch panel.

Claim 33 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 1, the

transparent capacitive sensing medium formed on a single side of a substrate.
Claihi 34 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 1, the

transparent capacitive sensing medium formed on a transparent substrate.

Claim 35 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 34, wherein the

transparent substrate is formed from glass.
Claim 36 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 7, wherein the

capacitive sensing medium is a mutual capacitance sensing medium.

Claim 37 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 7, the

transparent capacitive sensing medium formed on both sides of a single substrate.

Claim 38 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 36, further

comprising a virtual ground charge amplifier coupled to the touch panel for detecting the touches
on the touch panel.

la-1035084

APLNDC00026909

Application No.: 10/840,862
Claim 39 (previously presented):

9

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

A touch panel having a transparent capacitive

sensing medium configured to detect multiple touches or near touches that occur at a same time
and at distinct locations in a plane of the touch panel and to produce distinct signals
representative of a location of the touches on the plane of the touch panel for each of the multiple
touches;
wherein the transparent capacitive sensing medium comprises a transparent electrode
layer, the electrode layer including a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes and electrode
traces formed from a transparent conductive material, each of the electrodes being placed at
different locations in the plane of the touch panel, each of the electrodes operatively couplable to
capacitive monitoring circuitry.
Claim 40 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 39, further

comprising a virtual ground charge amplifier coupled to the touch panel for detecting the touches
on the touch panel.
Claim 41 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 39, the

transparent capacitive sensing medium formed on a single side of a substrate.

Claim 42 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 39, the

transparent capacitive sensing medium formed on a transparent substrate.
Claim 43 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 42, wherein the

transparent substrate is formed from glass.
Claim 44 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 39, wherein the

capacitive sensing medium is a mutual capacitance sensing medium.
Claim 45 (previously presented):

The touch panel as recited in claim 39, the

transparent capacitive sensing medium formed on both sides of a single substrate.

la-1035084

APLNDC00026910

Application No.: 10/840,862

10

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

Claim 46 (currently amended):

A

disclav arraneement comorisine:
a disclav havine a screen for disclavine a eraohical user interface: and

a transparent touch-Rane augwing the spreen to be viewed therethrough and capable pf
recog_nizinimultiple tguçh events that qççur at different loçations on the touch panel at a same
time and to outout this inf ------tion to a host device to form a oixilated imaze:
wherein the touch vanel includes a multinoint sensine arranaement confieured to

simultanegusly deteçt and monitor the touch events and a change in capacitive coupling
associated with those touch events at distinctyoints across the touch panel; and
further comprising a virtual ground charge amplifier coupled to the touch panel for
detecting the touch events on the touch panel.

Claims 47-50 (canceled)

la-1035084

APLNDC00026911

VIA EFS
Docket No.: 106842009000
Client Ref. P3266US1
(PATENT)
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND ToanEo sa= OFFICE
In re Patent Application of:
Steve HOTELLING et al.

Application No.: 10/840,862

Confirmation No.: 8470

Filed: May 6, 2004

Art Unit: 2629

For: MULTI-POINT TOUCHSCREEN

Examiner: Kimnhung T. Nguyen

AMENDMENT UNDER 37 CFR 1.111
MS Amendment
Commissioner for Patents
P.O. Box 1450

Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Dear Madam:
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
This is in response to the non-final Office Action dated June 2, 2009, for which a
response is due on September 2, 2009. Reconsideration and allowance of the pending claims, as
amended, in light of the remarks presented herein are respectfully requested.
There are no amendments to the specification or drawings.
Amendments to the Claims are reflected in the listing of claims which begins on page 2
of this paper.
Remarks/Arguments begin on page 11 of this paper.

la-1035084

APLNDC00026912

Application No.: 10/840,862

11

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

RElvisuKN

Claims 1, 2, 4-13, 15-26 and 32-50 were pending in the application, with claims 27, 28,
30 and 31 previously withdrawn from consideration, and claims 3, 14 and 29 previously canceled.
Claims 13 and 47-50 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Hsu et al. in

view of Fujimoto. Claims 1, 2, 4-12 and 32-45 have been allowed. Claims 24-26 and 46 were
objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but were indicated to be allowable if
rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening

claims. Claims 10, 15, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25 and 46 have been amended, and claims 13, 27, 28, 30, 31
and 47-50 have been canceled, leaving claims 1, 2, 4-12, 15-26 and 32-46 presently under
consideration. Reexamination and reconsideration of the application in view of the amendments
and following remarks is respectfully requested.

Claims 13 and 47-50 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable
over Hsu in view of Fujimoto. Claims 13 and 47-50 have now been canceled, making their
rejections moot.

Claims 1, 2, 4-12 and 32-45 have been allowed. The Applicants thank the Examiner
for the indication of allowable subject matter.
Claims 24-26 and 46 were objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base

claim, but were indicated to be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the
limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Claims 24, 25 and 46 have been
amended to independent form, including all of the limitations of the base claim (claim 13). There
were no intervening claims. As such, claims 24-26 and 46 are now allowable.
Claims 27, 28, 30 and 31 had been previously withdrawn from consideration.

Claims 27, 28, 30 and 31 have now been canceled.
In view of the above, each of the presently pending claims in this application is believed
to be in immediate condition for allowance. Accordingly, the Examiner is respectfully requested to

la-1035084

APLNDC00026913

Application No.: 10/840,862

12

Docket No.: 106842009000
P3266US1

withdraw the outstanding rejection of the claims and to pass this application to issue. If it is
determined that a telephone conference would expedite the prosecution of this application, the
Examiner is invited to telephone the undersigned at the number given below.
In the event the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office determines that an extension and/or
other relief is required, applicant petitions for any required relief including extensions of time and
authorizes the Commissioner to charge the cost of such petitions and/or other fees due in connection
with the filing of this document to Deposit Account No. 03-1952 referencing Docket No.

106842009000.
Dated: July 1, 2009

Respectfully submitted,
By
Glenn ¾f. Kubota
Registration No.: 44,197
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
555 West Fifth Street, 35th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013-1024
[phone]

la-1035084

APLNDC00026914

Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt
EFS ID:

5629103

Application Number:

10840862

International Application Number:
Confirmation Number:

8470

Title of Invention:

Multipoint touchscreen

First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:

Steve Hotelling

Customer Number:

69753

Filer:

Glen Masashi Kubota/Lisa Bronk

Filer Authorized By:

Glen Masashi Kubota

Attorney Docket Number:

106842009000

Receipt Date:

01-JUL-2009

Filing Date:

06-MAY-2004

Time Stamp:

17:21:07

Application Type:

Utility under 35 USC 111(a)

Payment information:
Submitted with Payment

no

File Listing:
Document
Number

.
Document Description

1

Miscellaneous Incoming Letter

i

File Name

File Size(Bytes)/
.
Message Digest

Multi
Pages
Part /.zip (if appl.)

39778

2009000TRANS.pdf

no

1

1c5f4752ce8aa77a9db2f9264976d40f40dC
3af9

Warnings:
Information:

APLNDC00026915

487403

2

2009000AMEND.pdf

yes

12

f532cidf41dc0bl4e416ff4532ea4df2984d7
78b

Multipart Description/PDF files in .zip description
Document Description

Start

End

Amendment/Req. Reconsideration-After Non-Final Reject

1

1

Claims

2

10

Applicant Arguments/Remarks Made in an Amendment

11

12

Warnings:
Information:
Total Files Size (in bytes)

527181

This Acknowledgement Receipt evidences receipt on the noted date by the USPTO of the indicated documents,
characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable. It serves as evidence of receipt similar to a
Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
New Agglications Under 35 U.S.C.111
If a new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary components for a filing date (see 37 CFR
1.53(b)-(d) and MPEP 506), a Filing Receipt (37 CFR 1.54) will be issued in due course and the date shown on this
Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the filing date of the application.
Natigng Stage of an International Agglication under 35 U.S.C. 371
If a timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions of 35
U.S.C. 371 and other applicable requirements a Form PCT/DO/EO/903 indicating acceptance of the application as a
national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be issued in addition to the Filing Receipt, in due course.
New International Agglication Filed with the USPTO as a Receivin10ffice
If a new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary components for
an international filing date (see PCT Article 11 and MPEP 1810), a Notification of the International Application Number
and of the International Filing Date (Form PCT/RO/105) will be issued in due course, subject to prescriptions concerning
national security, and the date shown on this Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the international filing date of
the application.

APLNDC00026916

PTO/SB/21 (06-09)
Approved for use through 06/30/2009. OMB 0651-0031
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Underthe Pacerwork Reduction Actof1995, no gersgs are required togond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.

Application Number

TRANSMITTAL

10/840,862

Filing Date

FORM

May 6, 2004

First Named Inventor
Art Unit

Total Number of Pages in This Submission

2629

Examiner Name

(tobeusedforallcorrespondenceafterinitialfiling)

Steve HOTELLING

Kimnhung T. Nguyen

Attorney Docket Number

13

106842009000

Glient Ref. P320§U§1

ENCLOSURES (Checkallthatapply)
Fee Transmittal Form

Dranng(s)
Licensing-related Papers

Fee Attached
Amendment/Reply

Ao TeCAllowance Communication
Appeal Communication to Board
of Appeals and Interferences

Petition

pe

o

un c tLon o

After Final

Petition to Convert to a
Provisional Application

Proprietary Information

Affidavits/declaration(s)

Power of Attorney, Revocation
Change of Correspondence Address

Status Letter

Extension of Time Request

Terminal Disclaimer

Express Abandonment Request

Request for Refund

Information Disclosure Statement

CD, Number of CD(s)

Certified Copy of Priority
Document(s)

eher Enclosure(s) (please

Landscape Table on CD

Reply to Missing Parts/
incomplete Application

Remarks
i

i

Reply to Missing Parts under
37 CFR 1.52 or 1.53

SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT, ATTORNEY, OR AGENT

Firm Name

MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP (Customer No. 69753)

Signature
Printed name

Glein M. Kubota

Date

July 1, 2009

Keg. NO.

44,197

la-1035125

APLNDC00026917

PTO/SBIO6 (07-06)
Approved for use through 1/31/2007. OMB 0651-0032
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displavs a valid OMB control number.

PATENT APPLICATION FEE DETERMINATION RECORD
Substitute for Form PTO-875

Application or Docket Number
10/840,862

Filing Date
05/06/2004

APPLICATION AS FILED - PART I

To be Mailed

OTHER THAN

(Column 1)

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** If the "Highest Number Previously Paid For" IN THIS SPACE is less than 20, enter "20".
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APLNDC00026918

Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt
EFS ID:

5835267

Application Number:

10840862

International Application Number:
Confirmation Number:

8470

Title of Invention:

Multipoint touchscreen

First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:

Steve Hotelling

Customer Number:

69753

Filer:

Glen Masashi Kubota/Lisa Bronk

Filer Authorized By:

Glen Masashi Kubota

Attorney Docket Number:

106842009000

Receipt Date:

05-AUG-2009

Filing Date:

06-MAY-2004

Time Stamp:

16:41:28

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Utility under 35 USC 111(a)

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yes

4

bff3750550elce384e7f0862f2ble468abfct
894

APLNDC00026919

Multipart Description/PDF files in .zip description
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Start

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1

3

Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Filed (SB/08)

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This Acknowledgement Receipt evidences receipt on the noted date by the USPTO of the indicated documents,
characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable. It serves as evidence of receipt similar to a
Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
New Agglications Under 35 U.S.C.111
If a new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary components for a filing date (see 37 CFR
1.53(b)-(d) and MPEP 506), a Filing Receipt (37 CFR 1.54) will be issued in due course and the date shown on this
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Natigng Stage of an International Agglication under 35 U.S.C. 371
If a timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions of 35
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If a new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary components for
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APLNDC00026920

(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)

COM w RCTED VERSION
(19) World Intellectaual Property Organization

(43) International Publication Date

(10) International Publication Number

19 April 2001 (19.04.2001)

PCT

(51) International Patent Classification':
G06F 3/00

G06K 11/16,

(21) International Application Number:

PCT/US00/27720

(22) International Filing Date: 6 October 2000 (06.10.2000)
(25) Filing Language:

English

(26) Publication Language:

English

(30) Priority Data:
09/415,481

8 October 1999 (08.10.1999)

US

WO 01/027868 A1

(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ,
DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR,
HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR,
LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ,

NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM,
TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW
(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian
patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European
patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE,
IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG,
CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).

(71) Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED [US/US];
2698 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134 (US).

Published:
- with international search report

(72) Inventors: HSU, Andrew, C.; 1910 Lyon Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002 (US). DAY, Shawn, P.; 6280 Ginashell
Circle, San Jose, CA 95119 (US). SCHEDIWY, Richard;
35018 Lilac Loop, Union City, CA 94587 (US). GILLE-

(48) Date of publication of this corrected version:
3 October 2002
(15) Information about Correction:

SPIE, David; 16100 Soda Spring Road, Los Gatos, CA

see PCT Gazette No. 40/2002 of 3 October 2002, Section

95033 (US).

II

(74) Agents: WITTENBERG, Malcolm, B. et al.; Crosby,
Heafey, Roach & May, Suite 2000, Two Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111 (US).

For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guidance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations"appearingat the beginning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.

(54) Title: A FLEXIBLE TRANSPanvis i TOUCH SENSING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

X INPUT

PROCNESS NG -

ARITHMETIC

/

L_

GESTURE
Finger Presence i
UNIT
~ Finger Pressure

(57) Abstract: A transparent, capacitive sensing system particularly well suited for input to electronic devices is described. The
sensing system can be used to emulate physical buttons or slider switches that are either displayed on an active display device or
printed on an underlying surface. The capacitive sensor can further be used as an input device for a graphical user interface, especially
if overlaid on top of an active display device like an LCD screen to sense finger position (X/Y position) and contact area (Z) over
the display. In addition, the sensor can be made with flexible material for touch sensing on a three-dimensional surface. Because
the sensor is substantially transparent. the underlying surface can be viewed through the sensor. This allows the underlying area
to be used for alternative applications that may not necessarily be related to the sensing system. Examples include advertising, an
additional user interface display, or apparatus such as a camera or a biometric security device.

APLNDC00026921

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A FLEXIBLE TRANSPARENT TOUCH SENSING SYSTEM
FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

5

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
10

The present invention relates to touch sensing transducers and

systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to flexible and
transparent object position recognition devices useful in applications such
as cursor movement and user input for computing devices and other
applications.
15

Description of the Related Field
Touch sensing technology can be used to provide a variety of input

to electronic devices, from emulating physical buttons or slider switches
to more sophisticated recognition of patterns or gestures. For example,

United States Patent No. 5,880,411 to Gillespie, which is hereby
20

incorporated in its entirety for its teaching of touch sensor technology,

discloses a capacitive sensor trace array object position detector with
edge motion feature and gesture recognition. United States Patent No.
5,305,017 to Gerpheide teaches an object position detector using
capacitive sensing and is also incorporated in its entirety by reference for
25

its teaching of touch sensor technology. Another example of capacitive

touchpads is United States Patent No. 5,543,588 to Bisset.
However, in many applications it is desirable to display the surface
underlying the touchpad. For example, the touchpad can be overlaid on
an active display such as a LCD or CRT screen to facilitate input to a

30

graphical user interface (GUI). Alternatively, it may be desired to have

SUBSTTE SHEET (RJLE 26)
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the underlying surface display static information such as a button pattern
to guide user input or advertising. Neither Gillespie nor Bisset disclose or
suggest the ability to display a surface underlying the touchpad sensor.
The general strategy employed by the prior art to provide
5

transparent touch sensing technology for portable devices utilizes a

resistive pad. A typical resistive pad consists of two substantially
transparent substrates separated by a thin air gap, typically about 0.006

inches. One substrate is deformable, such as a polyester film, while the
other is typically rigid, such as glass or polycarbonate plastic. Both
10

substrates are coated with a substantially transparent, conductive coating
like Indium Tin Oxide on the surface where they face one another. On
the ITO-coated surfaces, one substrate contains conductors at its left and
right edges while the other substrate contains conductors at its top and

bottom. To measure position in one axis, a voltage gradient is applied to
15

one set of conductors while voltage is measured on the other set. When
an object deforms the resistive pad so that one substrate contacts the
other, the point of contact will contain a voltage proportional to the
distance from the conductor where the voltage was applied. To measure

position in the other axis, the conductors for voltage application and
20

measurement are switched.

There are other variations of the previously described 4 wire
resistive pad sensors. One example is a 5-wire design which alternately
applies an X-axis, than Y-axis voltage gradient to the one layer and then
uses the second layer simply to sense voltage.

25

Different prior art techniques deal with the difficulty of maintaining
a constant air gap between the two ITO layers and the stretching of the

deformable substrate as it wears. For example, substantially transparent
dielectric spacer dots, usually about 0.010" in diameter, can be arranged

in a regular, grid-like fashion over one of the ITO surfaces. These dots
30

help maintain the air gap to prevent the two ITO layers from accidentally
2

SIESWUISHet ÇRE26)
APLNDC00026923

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contacting. Further, the dots help counteract the decreasing performance
of the deformable substrate as it wears and stretches. However, the use
of these spacer dots generally reduces the resolution of the touchpad, as
not all locations of such a resistive pad will necessarily generate a signal
5

when the two substrates come in contact.

In addition to the resistive pad technologies, other examples of
prior art include capacitance based technologies, stylus based

technologies and pressure actuation technologies. Prior art capacitive
touchpads such as United States Patent Nos. 5,457,289 to Huang and

10

4,806,709 and 4,733,222 to Evans suffer from various drawbacks of
their own. For example, Huang requires frontal shielding for its capacitive

touch sensor system and the Evans '709 requires a uniformly electrically
conductive surface. Stylus based pads such as United States Patent Nos.

5,381,160 to Landmeir and 4,945,348 to Ibamoto require an
15

electromagnetic tool to provide input. Finally, pressure actuated

touchpads such as United States Patent No. 4,484,038 to Dorman and
3,757,322 to Barkan have moving parts and thus suffer from drawbacks

similar to the resistive pad technologies.
20

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a capacitive sensor system comprising a sensor
trace and a processor configured to detect capacitance changes in the
sensor trace to determine proximity of a conductive object. Preferably,
the sensor trace is a part of a first plurality of sensor traces oriented in a

25

first direction and the processor detects capacitance changes in the
sensor traces to determine proximity and positioning of the finger in the
first dimension. More preferably, the system further comprises a second

plurality of sensor traces oriented in a second dimension, wherein the
processor is further configured to detect capacitance changes in the first
30

plurality of sensor traces and the second plurality of sensor traces to

3

MST~ñ SHEET ǾLE 26)
APLNDC00026924

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determine proximity and positioning of the conductive object along the

first and second dimensions. The preferred conductive object for this
invention is a human finger, but a conductive stylus or other suitable

device can be used as well.
5

To maximize transparency, the sensor system should have a

uniform density of sensor traces. Thus, preferred configurations minimize
the overlap of the first plurality and the second plurality of sensor traces.

For example, each sensor trace may be configured as a series of diamond
shapes aligned along a common axis. Accordingly, each plurality of

10

sensor traces thus creates a pattern of diamond shaped open spaces. By
positioning the first plurality of sensor traces over the second plurality so
that the diamond shaped sensor traces fall over the diamond shaped open
spaces, the amount of overlap between the each plurality of sensor

traces is minimized. Transparency is also maximized by utilizing materials
15

having similar indices of refraction.
A primary object of this invention is a positioning system that uses
a low-cost, highly integrated, low power, capacitive transparent sensor.
This invention is suitable for many handheld electronic applications such

as, but not limited to, cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants,
20

remote controls, and computers. Non-handheld devices that require a

positioning system with a thin transparent sensor are also appropriate for
this invention. Preferably, the sensor system is equipped with a
processor capable of recognizing gestures such as tapping or dragging to
increase the flexibility of user input.

25

The current invention described offers a number of advantages
over resistive pads and the other prior art technologies. First, this art is

rugged. Its performance will not degrade over time and is not subject to
mechanical wear and stress, being completely solid state and having no
moving parts. Because this art does not rely on deforming a substrate,
30

the sensor can be activated with no actuation force. Second, the
4

S ESTITUTE SHEET ǾLE26)
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resolution of sensing is determined by the density of sensor traces and
the precision of the A/D converters in the processor, not the physical
properties of the materials as in resistive pads. Thus, very high
positioning accuracy can be achieved. Because the current invention does
5

not require an air gap to be maintained between the sensing layers,
positioning performance is hardly affected by mechanical damage or
environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity or power supply

voltage. Consequently, the positioning capabilities of this art require little
to no user calibration. Furthermore, the lack of an air gap, with an index

10

of refraction much different than the substrate layers, allows this art to
achieve greater transparency. Finally, the ability to use flexible substrate

material to build the sensor facilitates the integration of this art onto
devices that require a touch-sensing system on a curved, three-

dimensional surface.
15

Alternatively, the sensor array itself can be directly

applied to a rigid, curved three-dimensional surface without the

requirement of a flexible substrate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a proximity transparent

20

capacitive sensing system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the
proximity and one-dimensional sensor transducer shown in Fig.1.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a one-dimensional
transparent capacitive sensing system of the present invention.

25

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a two-dimensional
transparent capacitive sensing system of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is a top view of the X sensor array in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 5B is a top view of the Y sensor array in the embodiment

30

shown in FIG. 4.

5

8 B&TTUTE SHF (ILLE 26)
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FIG. 5C is a top view of the combined X and Y sensor arrays in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a two-dimensional sensor
transducer embodiment of the invention with a transparent ground plane
5

to shield X and Y trace arrays from electrical noise that might arise

beneath the sensor.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the
two-dimensional sensor transducer of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a two-dimensional transparent

10

sensor transducer embodiment of the invention that allows use of a
conductive stylus in additional to finger for input.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a two-dimensional sensor
transparent transducer embodiment of the invention that allows use of

any general stylus in addition to finger for input.
15

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment

of the invention, comprising a O-dimensional, capacitive proximity sensing
system 2. System 2 accurately determines the proximity and contact of

20

finger 4 or any other conductive object to the sensor 6. Capacitance
changes induced by finger 4 on the sensor trace in the sensor 6 are

digitized by the input processing block 8. The digitized values of
capacitance values are processed by arithmetic unit 10 and then decoded

by gesture unit 12 to determine if a finger was present.
25

Gesture unit 12

also processes input signals to determine the difference between
constant finger contact and a finger tap. Blocks 8-12 may also
incorporate methods to suppress electrical noise that may be sensed by
sensor 6. Suitable means of implementing this sensor include the

technologies described in United States Patent Nos. 5,880,411 and
30

5,305,017, which were incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto
6

suarrumsH

(RJt.E26)
APLNDC00026927

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above for these teachings. Other means of capacitive sensing technology

known to those of skill in the art are also suitable.
The sensor trace in sensor 6 must be designed so that the trace

provides adequate capacitive coupling to the finger. In the preferred
5

embodiment, the sensor trace is a thin line of conductor that is drawn to

the location where the finger is designed to contact. At this preferred
contact area, the trace widens to a square or a circle approximately the

dimensions of a typical fingerprint. This ensures that adequate capacitive
coupling will occur between the sensor and the finger. Non-visible

10

portions of the sensor can optionally be drawn with an opaque conductor
with better handling properties and lower resistance. Examples of an
opaque conductor include, but are not limited to, silver ink and

conductive carbon ink.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of
15

the capacitive sensor 6 (and also one-dimensional capacitive sensor 20
described below). A top transparent and electrically insulating substrate
52 is adhered with an optically transparent and electrically insulating
adhesive 54 to another transparent, electrically insulating substrate 58

that is coated with a transparent conductor 56. Typically, the
20

substantially transparent conductor 56 is deposited onto the substrate 58
either by a sputtering process or by a printing method. The pattern of the
transparent conductor trace 56 can be done by a photoresist and acidetch process. Alternatively, conductor 56 may be selectively coated,
either by sputtering or printing, onto a negative pattern overlaying the

25

substrate 58. Then, removing the negative pattern leaves the appropriate
transparent conductor trace pattern. Because sensor 6 only detects

contact and proximity, only one sensor trace and one conductor layer is
needed.

Examples of transparent, electrically insulating substrates 52 and
30

58 include, but are in no way limited to, polyester film, glass, and

7

SUBSTITUTE SHI±l (RJLE 26)
APLNDC00026928

WO01/027868

PCT/US00/27720

polycarbonate plastic. One example of a transparent, electrically
insulating adhesive is 3M #8142. Examples of substantially transparent
conductors include, but are not limited to, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO),

transparent conductive plastic, and silver, gold, aluminum alloys. Those
5

skilled in the art will recognize that no material is completely transparent.

To improve transparency of the sensor a number of techniques can be
utilized. First, substrates 52 and 58 and adhesive 54 can be chosen to

have similar indices of refraction. This improves transparency by
minimizing the distorting effects of light traveling through materials of

10

different refraction indices. Second, employing the sensing art described
U.S. Patent No. 5,880,411 allows the use of high impedance output

drivers. Hence, the resistivity of transparent conductor layer 56 can be
relatively high and still be usable with such a sensing system. A high

resistivity such as, but not limited to, 300 R/square increases
15

transparency of the substantially transparent conductor layer 56.

Layer 60 shows the location of an opaque substrate that would be
viewable through transparent layers 52-58. Examples of such a substrate

include, but are not limited to, a graphical display device such as, but not
limited to a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT),
20

artwork, or additional electronics such a fingerprint recognizer. In some
embodiments, layer 60 may be omitted altogether. Alternatively,

substrate 58 can be omitted and transparent conductor 56 can be
patterned directly on layer 60.
In yet other alternative embodiments, layers 52-58 can be reversed
25

without loss of functionality. Furthermore, adhesive 54 can be eliminated
so long as substrate 52 is electrically insulating and self-adhering to

conductor 56. One example of a self-adhering, transparent, electrically
insulating substrate is transparent-coat paint.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a one-dimensional
30

position sensing system 16. Such a system can detect not just finger

8

süßSTTUT SHtti (RULE 26)
APLNDC00026929

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contact (like proximity sensing system 2), but also the location of a finger
4 or other conductive object along the direction of the sensor trace array.
In Figure 3, sensor 20 contains a plurality of traces oriented along one
direction, such as the Y axis, allowing sensing system 16 to determine
5

the position of finger 4 along that direction. Finger location is computed

by measuring the capacitance of the traces and then computing finger
position based on the increase in capacitance in traces covered or near

the finger. Specifically, Y input processing block 22 measures trace
capacitance simultaneously in all sensor traces, and digitizes the analog

10

capacitance values. These values are then converted to position and
pressure information in arithmetic block 24. Next, position and pressure

data are fed into a motion block 26 and gesture block 28. Motion block
26 computes finger motion along the trace array axis based on storing a

successive history of finger position values. Gesture block 28 determines
15

if a finger is actually in contact with sensor 20 and whether the finger

presence over a short period of time is considered a "tap". If a tap
gesture is registered, the gesture unit suppresses the output of the

motion unit. Blocks 22-28 also incorporate methods to suppress electrical
noise that may be sensed by sensor 20. Suitable algorithms and means
20

for implementing this sensor include the technologies described in United
States Patent Nos. 5,880,411 and 5,305,017, incorporated in their
entirety by reference thereto as described above. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that such algorithms are only illustrative and in no way
limiting of the capacitive sensing technology that is possible with this

25

sensor.
The one-dimensional sensor 20 is comprised of a plurality of sensor

traces equally spaced along a given axis. To achieve adequate positional
resolution, spacing of each sensor trace is typically designed so that a

finger 4 covers at least two traces at any given location in the sensing
30

area to allow interpolation between the traces. A higher trace density or
9

SUB&T~vTE SH

ÇO.E 26)
APLNDC00026930

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higher precision A/D converters improves the resolution to which sensing
system 1 6 can compute finger position. To maximize capacitive coupling
between a trace and a finger, a trace is typically made as wide as
possible (for example, slightly less than a trace spacing) without touching
5

neighboring traces. As described above with respect to the proximity

sensing system 2, non-visible portions of the sensor can optionally be
drawn with an opaque conductor.

A cross-sectional view of one-dimensional position sensor 20 is
shown in Figure 2, previously described. In the preferred, but not limiting
10

embodiment, the substrate 58 is uniformly coated with the transparent
conductor and then the trace array is patterned using a photoresist and

acid-etch process. Alternatively, a negative photoresist pattern can be
screened on transparent substrate 62 and 68, the transparent conductor

deposited using a sputtering or screening process and then the
15

photoresist pattern removed. As discussed above with respect to the

proximity sensing system 2, the stack-up of one-dimensional position
sensor 20 comprising layers 52-60 can be reversed and a self-adhering,

insulative substrate 52 can obviate the need for adhesive 54.
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a two-dimensional

20

position sensing system 32. Such a system can determine finger
presence as finger position along two direction axes. Finger 4

capacitively couples to sensor traces in sensor 36. X input processing
block 38 and Y input processing block 40 measure capacitance values of
sensor traces in the X and Y trace arrays and digitize the capacitance
25

values. Arithmetic unit 42 computes position and pressure coordinates

based on the digitized capacitance values. Next position and pressure
coordinates are fed into motion unit 44 and gesture unit 46. Motion unit

44 computes relative movement of the finger compared to the previous
position of the finger. Gesture unit 46 determines the finger presence
30

over time and whether it constitutes a gesture such as a tap. If gesture
10

SUBSTITvl SHEET (RJLE 26)
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unit 46 recognizes a particular gesture, it will suppress the output of the

motion unit 44. Blocks 38-46 also incorporate methods to suppress
electrical noise that may be sensed by sensor 36. Suitable algorithms

and means for implementing this sensor include the technologies
5

described in United States Patent Nos. 5,880,411 and 5,305,017,

incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto as described above.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that such algorithms are only

illustrative and in no way limiting of the capacitive sensing technology
that is possible with this sensor.

10

Figure 5A shows the preferred embodiment for the array of sensor
traces used to compute position in the X-axis in sensor 36. Each trace
64 is a transparent conductor, equally spaced on a transparent,
electrically insulating substrate 62. Each diamond 66 increases the trace
area and also leaves a pattern of diamond-shaped regions containing no

15

conductive material. Figure 5B is the corresponding preferred
embodiment for the array of sensor traces used to compute position in

the Y-axis for sensor 36. Each trace 70 is also a transparent conductor,
equally spaced on transparent, electrically insulating substrate 68.
Diamonds such as diamond 72 increase trace area and leave a diamond20

shaped region where there is no conductive material.

The actual number of sensor arrays and the presence of two axes
of sensors will depend on the positioning area and resolution

requirements of a particular device. To achieve adequate positional
resolution, spacing of each sensor trace is typically designed so that a

25

finger 4 covers at least two traces in each axis at any given location in
the sensing area. A higher trace density or more precise A/D converters

improves the resolution that sensing system 32 can compute finger
position. In some embodiments of the art, fewer X and Y traces will

suffice to achieve the desired sensing resolution. Non-visible portions of

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the sensor can optionally be drawn with an opaque conductor such as,
but not limited to, silver ink.
In the preferred, but not limiting embodiment, substrates 62 and

68 are uniformly coated with the transparent conductor and then
5

patterned using a photoresist and acid-etch process. Alternately, a

negative photoresist pattern can be screened on transparent substrate 62
and 68, the transparent conductor deposited using a sputtering or

screening process and then the photoresist pattern removed.
Figure 5C is a top view of sensor 36 with Y-axis traces from

10

substrate 68 on top and X-axis traces from substrate 62 on the bottom.
X-traces 66 are positioned so that their trace diamonds 72 fill diamond

spaces between the Y axis traces 70. For illustrative purposes, Y-axis
trace diamonds 72 are reduced in size to visually distinguish the
diamonds in the two different arrays. In the preferred embodiment, these
15

diamonds are enlarged to the size of the spaces between X traces 66 so
that sensor 36 appears to have a single uniform layer of transparent
conductive material (except for the small regions where an X trace 64

overlaps a Y trace 70). Filling the entire active area with at least one
layer of transparent conductor is desirable, but not limiting for the overall
20

transparency of sensor 36 since transparent conductive material such as
(but not limited to) Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), gold, and silver are not
perfectly transparent.

Any region not covered with at least one layer of

conductor in sensor 36 may be seen because it will have greater
transmissivity compared to a region covered with a conductor.

25

Figure 5D shows a cross sectional view of the preferred
embodiment of two-dimensional sensor 36. This stack-up can be
reversed in order without loss of functionality. X-axis transparent,
electrically insulating substrate 62 is the top surface that the finger or

conductive object touches. The bottom side of the transparent,
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electrically insulating substrate 62 is the transparent conductor traces 64.

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A thin, transparent, preferably adhesive, insulator 74 separates X
conductive traces 64 from Y conductive traces 70. Similar to X traces, Y
conductive traces are coated on transparent, electrically insulating
substrate 68.
5

Examples of transparent substrates 62 and 68, insulator 74, and
conductive layers 64 and 70 have been described for Figure 2 and are

equally applicable for the two-dimensional sensor. Similarly, the same
techniques to improve transparency such as, but not limited to, matching

indices of refraction among layers, and using a relatively thin layer of
10

transparent conductor, can also be applied to the two-dimensional sensor.

Similar to Figure 2, layer 60 is an optional opaque layer that can be
viewed through the transparent sensor. . In some embodiments, layer 60

may be omitted altogether. Alternatively, in some embodiments,
substrate 68 can be omitted and transparent conductor 70 can be

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patterned directly on layer 60.

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A number of additional alternative embodiments of the invention
are possible. For example, electrical shielding may be required to isolate
sensor traces from electrical noise that arises from electrical circuits that

are present below the sensor. One preferred, but not limiting
5

embodiment is shown in Figure 6 on two-dimensional sensor 36. Layers

62-68 are the same art as described in Figure 5D. Beneath transparent
substrate 68, another layer of transparent insulator 74 attaches another

layer of transparent conductor 78 and substrate 80. Unlike transparent
conductor layers 64 and 70, transparent conductor 78 is a uniform layer
10

of conductor that is connected to an electrical ground. Grounding

transparent conductor 78 provides sensor 36 with electrical shielding
from electrical noise sources that might radiate from the opaque layer 60
or below.

Examples of materials suitable for transparent conductor 78

and substrate 80 have already been described in Figure 2.
15

Adding a transparent ground plane using layers 74-80 can also be
applied to the contact and one-dimensional sensor stack-ups shown in

Figure 2 if such a layer were inserted between layers 58 and 60.
In yet another embodiment, Figure 7 shows a two-dimensional
transparent capacitive sensor 36. Transparent substrate 84 is adhered
20

using transparent insulator 74 to transparent conductor layer 64.

Transparent conductor 64 contains the X trace pattern as shown in
Figure 5A and is coated onto transparent substrate 86. On the other

surface of transparent substrate 86, transparent conductor layer 70
contains Y trace array shown Figure 5B. Finally, transparent substrate 88

25

is adhered to transparent conductor 70 with transparent insulator 74.
This particular embodiment, with substrate 86 coated on both sides with

transparent conductor layers may allow for less error when aligning
diamonds in the X trace array and the Y trace array. Because substrate
86 contains both conductor layers 64 and 70, the alignment of trace

30

arrays can occur prior to the etching/deposition of the trace arrays with
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the opaque photoresist pattern, greatly simplifying pattern alignment of X
and Y traces. Proper alignment of the X and Y trace arrays is critical to

the overall transparency of two-dimensional sensor 36 because the
human eye can easily detect any systematic misalignment between the

5

trace array patterns.
Examples of transparent, electrically insulating substrates 84,86,

and 88 have been described in previous embodiments of two-dimensional
sensor 36 and one-dimensional sensor 20. Additionally, for electrical

shielding, transparent substrate 88 can be replaced with layers 78 and 80
10

as shown in Figure 6.

This invention may also be adapted for use with a stylus in addition
to the human finger. One method for doing so is to enlarge the contact
area for a conductive stylus until its contact area is similar to that of a
finger. This has the obvious disadvantage of the stylus needing to be
15

both conductive and the contact area needing to be large enough to
capacitively couple to enough sensor traces. To reduce the contact area
of the conductive input, one method is to increase the trace density so

that even a fine, pointed conductive stylus can capacitively couple to at
least two sensor traces. Alternatively, A/D converter precision can also
20

be increased to detect minute capacitance changes in sensor traces that
result from a pointed stylus.
One preferred alternative method that removes the restriction of a
large contact area involves a resistive transparent coating applied to the

top surface of the sensor array, resulting in the stack-up of layers shown
25

in Figure 8. For two-dimensional position sensor 92, the X and Y trace

arrays are identical to that described in Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C. The
stack-up of layers 62-68 is identical to that described in Figure 5D. Layer

94 is a rugged, resistive transparent coating that spreads the effective
contact area of a pointed stylus, thus allowing a pointed stylus's
30

capacitive coupling to the sensor 92 to be similar to a conductive object
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with a larger contact area (such as a finger). Examples of such a layer 94
can be found, but are not limited to, those commonly used for electroluminescent lighting surfaces. Further details of such a sensing

technology can be found in co-pending United States Patent Application
5

Serial No. 09/176,639.
An approach for a two dimensional sensor that accepts any stylus
input is to include a transparent, deformable layer sandwiched between
the bottom sensor array layer and a ground plane. Figure 9 illustrates the
stack up of a preferred but not limiting embodiment of such a sensor 92.

10

Layers 62-68 are the same as those described for a finger input twodimensional sensor 36 as described in Figures 5A-D. The only additional
requirement for this art is that substrates 62 and 68 be flexible and
deformable. An example of such a substrate is, but is not limited to,
polyester film.

15

Beneath transparent substrate 68 is transparent insulator 74. This
adheres to a transparent, deformable dielectric layer 96. Another layer of
transparent insulator 74 adheres deformable layer 96 to a transparent,
conductive layer 78 and transparent substrate 80. Transparent substrate

80 is typically made of a rigid material. Examples of such a transparent
20

rigid substrate include, but are not limited to, glass and polycarbonate
plastic. Transparent conductive layer 78 is a uniform layer of transparent
conductor that is electrically grounded.

Functionally, a pointed stylus input will deform the X and Y sensors
in layers 62-68 as well as layer 96, bringing the point of contact closer to

25

the ground plane. This deformation increases the capacitive coupling to
ground for sensor traces near the point of contact. This capacitance

increase is then detected by the sensing electronics. For finger input,
capacitance is sensed by sensor layers 62-68 using traditional capacitive
means. A detailed description of this art, though not in a transparent

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embodiment, can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,942,733, which is
hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.
Yet another alternative method is to combine the transparent

capacitive finger sensor of the present invention with a second
5

independent stylus input device. For example, a flexible transparent

capacitive pad could be overlayed on a conventional resistive pad to
provide superior finger sensitivity to that achievable with a resistive pad
alone. Or, a transparent capacitive pad could be overlayed on a solid

state sensor such as an inductive stylus sensor (e.g., U.S. Patent No.
10

4,848,496 to Murakami, hereby incorporated by reference thereto for this
teaching) to produce a rugged sensor with high quality finger and stylus
performance.

The transparent position sensing system has a number of
applications for portable electronic devices. Some examples (but not an
15

exhaustive list) of applications include:
a) Pointing device for a touchscreen in a handheld electronic

device. In the simplest implementation, a transparent two-dimensional
capacitive sensor is affixed directly on top of a display device like an LCD

screen to detect a finger's location on the display. The X-Y position of a
20

finger atop the sensor (and thus, the display) can then be fed to the
device's main processing unit to control the user interface in the device.
Such a user interface could include, but is not limited to, the control of a

cursor on the screen, detection of taps for on-screen graphics that
represent buttons, control of on-screen scroll bars, pull-down menu

25

selection, and stroke or gesture recognition for text-entry.
b) Input device for a soft button array or scroll bar. In this

application, the transparent sensor covers only the portion of the display
device that is dedicated to displaying an array of buttons or a scroll bar.
For a scroll bar application or a one-dimensional button array, the
30

transparent sensor would only contain a plurality of sensor traces in one

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axis. By implementing the input device with a transparent sensor, the
underlying graphics can change to suit the functionality required by the
user interface
c) Integration of input devices in a handheld electronic device. For
5

some handheld devices, one surface of the device may contain a display

that requires a touch sensitive positioning system while another surface
may require a button array. Because this art can be made from

transparent, flexible material, the same capacitive sensor could be curved
over the handheld device so that one portion of the sensor's trace arrays

10

covers the display surface while another portion of the sensor serves as
the button array on another surface. This could reduce the cost of the
handheld device by eliminating the need for additional mechanical contact
switches.

d) Transparent sensor for portable computer. The transparent
15

nature of the transparent two-dimensional position sensor allows the

addition of apparatus for applications such as, but not limited to security
and video to be designed into portable personal computers without

consuming more real estate than a standard, opaque two-dimensional
position sensor. In the case of security applications, the pointing nature
20

of the touchpad is a logical location to embed a fingerprint-based security
system. Other biometric security systems such as a retinal scanner can
also be placed underneath the transparent touchpad. The electronic
sensor for the biometric system can be located underneath the sensor
array (i.e. layer 60 in Figures 2 and 5D) and will be minimally affected by

25

the transparent sensor. Also, the transparent nature of the touchpad is
also a reasonable location for a video camera since the touchpad surface
protects the camera from the environment
e) Graphic underlays beneath the transparent capacitive sensor

(other than a display device). In some applications, the use of a display
30

device such as an LCD screen may not be necessary or cost-effective. In

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