Hilltop Technology LLC v. Apple Inc.

Filing 1

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT against Apple Inc. ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-4499255.), filed by Hilltop Technology LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - United States Patent No. 7,864,503, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Huff, Winston)

Download PDF
US007864503B2 (12) Ulllted States Patent (10) Patent N0.: Chang (54) (45) Date of Patent: CAPACITIVE TYPE TOUCH PANEL _ __ (56) _ . (*) Nome: 6,677,542 B2 * Asslgnee' sense Pad Tech Co" Ltd’Ap1a(WS) . . References Cited 4,394,643 A - (73) . Jan. 4, 2011 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS (75) Inventor: Yu-Huel Chang, S1Jh1h (TW) ' US 7,864,503 B2 . 7/1983 Williams .................. .. 340/365 1/2004 Katakami 5/2005 Caldwell et a1. .... .. 200/5 A 6,781,579 B2* . 8/2004 Huang @1211. .... .. 345/173 6,897,390 B2 * .. 200/512 subleclto any dlsclalmeri the term Ofthls 6,963,040 B1 * 11/2005 Urman ........... .. 200/310 Patent 15 extended Or adlusted under 35 7,244,901 B1 * U.S.C. 154(b) by 468 days- 2006/0097991 A1 2007/0240914 A1 (21) Appl. NO.Z 12/148,998 _ (22) F1led: 2008/0122802 A1 7/2007 Liao etal. ................. .. 200/600 5/2006 Hotelling et a1. .......... .. 345/173 10/2007 Lai et al. ............... .. 178/1806 5/2008 Furuhashi et a1. ......... .. 345/174 * cited by examiner Apr. 23, 2008 (65) Prior Publication Data (30) Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExamineriNguyen T Ha (74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiShirley L. Church, Esq A capacitive type touch panel includes: a transparent sub May 11,2007 (51) “'0' (TW) ............................ .. 96116883 A strate; an array of ?rst conductors formed on a surface of the transparent substrate; an array of second conductors formed on the surface of the transparent Substrate; a plurality of conductive ?rst bridging lines, each of Which interconnects d‘ 1 1111 ? 1 d 1 1 1' f duct1ve second br1dg1ng l1nes, each of Which lnterconnects (2006 01) tWoa Jacen ones'o ' e ‘rs con uc ors, ap ura1ty 0 con H03K 17/975 (200601) US. Cl. ..................... .. 361/288; 361/290; 361/292; tWo adjacent ones of the second conductors and each of Which intersects insulatively a respective one of the ?rst bridging 361/283-4; 200/600; 200/269; 200/310; 345/173; (52) H01G5/01 lines; andaplurality ofspaced apart insulators, each ofWhich ' 345/ 174; 345/ 175; 345/177 (58) is disposed at an intersection of a respective one of the ?rst Field of Classi?cation Search ............... .. 361/288, bridging lines and a respective one of the second bridging 361/29(L292, 283.1, 283.2, 283.4; 200/269, 200/310, 600; 345/l73il75, 177 lines to separate the respective ?rst and second bridging lines. See application ?le for complete search history. 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets (53_/\I_ —\/641 Controller \ 2 US. Patent Jan. 4, 2011 Sheet 1 015 US 7,864,503 B2 US. Patent Jan. 4, 2011 Sheet 2 of5 US 7,864,503 B2 Controller \ 2 FIG.2 US. Patent Jan. 4, 2011 Sheet 3 of5 US 7,864,503 B2 FIG. 3 US. Patent Jan. 4, 2011 Sheet 5 of5 US 7,864,503 B2 FIG.5 US 7,864,503 B2 1 2 CAPACITIVE TYPE TOUCH PANEL bridging lines and a respective one of the second bridging lines so as to separate the respective one of the ?rst bridging lines from the respective one of the second bridging lines. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application Other features and advantages of the present invention Will become apparent in the folloWing detailed description of the preferred embodiment of this invention, With reference to the No. 096116883, ?led on May 11,2007. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION accompanying draWings, in Which: 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a capacitive type touch panel, FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic vieW of a conventional capacitive type touch panel; more particularly to a capacitive type touch panel including FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic top vieW of the preferred embodiment of a capacitive type touch panel according to this arrays of ?rst and second electrodes formed on the same surface of a transparent substrate and disposed alternately With each other. 2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional capacitive type touch panel that includes a transparent substrate 11, a ?rst electrode unit 12 formed on a top surface of the transparent substrate 11, 5 invention; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective vieW of the preferred embodiment; 20 FIG. 4 is a sectional vieW taken along line W-W ofFIG. 2; and FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective vieW illustrating hoW a a second electrode unit 13 formed on a bottom surface of the pair of ?rst and second bridging lines of the preferred embodi transparent substrate 11, a conductive ?rst connecting line ment are separated from each other through an insulator. unit 14 connected to the ?rst electrode unit 12, a conductive second connecting line unit 15 connected to the second elec trode unit 13, and conductive ?rst and second Wiring units 16, 17 connected respectively to the ?rst and second connecting line units 14, 15. Formation of the ?rst and second Wiring units 16, 17 is conducted through Wire bonding techniques. A controller (not shoWn) is connected to the ?rst and second Wiring units 16, 17. When the capacitive type touch panel is activated, an electric ?eld distribution is generated betWeen the top and bottom surfaces of the transparent substrate 11. At this time, When the user operably touches the capacitive type 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 30 capacitive type touch panel according to this invention. The capacitive type touch panel includes: a transparent substrate 3 having opposite top and bottom surfaces 31, 32; an array of FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate the preferred embodiment of a ?rst conductors 41 formed on the top surface 31 of the trans parent substrate 3; an array of second conductors 42 formed on the top surface 31 of the transparent substrate 3 and dis posed alternately With the ?rst conductors 41; a plurality of touch panel at one location, the electric ?eld at the location is changed, Which results in a change in the capacitance 35 spaced apart conductive ?rst bridging lines 412, each of Which interconnects tWo adjacent ones of the ?rst conductors betWeen the ?rst and second electrode units 12, 13 at the location, thereby permitting identi?cation of the coordinates 41; a plurality of spaced apart conductive second bridging of the location through the controller. Since the ?rst and second Wiring units 16, 17 are formed respectively on the top and bottom surfaces of the transparent substrate 11, a gap is formed betWeen each adjacent pair of bonding Wirings of the ?rst and second Wiring units 16, 17. The gaps thus formed among the bonding Wirings of the ?rst and second Wiring units 16, 17 are not ?xed, Which results in generation of noise betWeen the ?rst and second Wiring units 16, 17, Which, in turn, results in a dif?culty in identifying the lines 422, each of Which interconnects tWo adjacent ones of the second conductors 42 and each of Which intersects insu latively a respective one of the ?rst bridging lines 412; and a 40 posed at an intersection of a respective one of the ?rst bridg ing lines 412 and a respective one of the second bridging lines 45 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 50 The object of the present invention is to provide a capaci tive type touch panel that can overcome the aforesaid draW back associated With the prior art. of the ?rst bridging lines 412 from the respective one of the second bridging lines 422. The ?rst and second conductors 41, 42 and the ?rst and second bridging lines 412, 422 coop eratively form into a matrix of capacitive regions When a current is applied to ?rst and second conductors 41, 42 and the ?rst and second bridging lines 412, 422. In this embodiment, each of the ?rst and second conductors 41, 42 is made from a thin ?lm of a conductive transparent 55 material that is preferably selected from the group consisting of indium-tin-oxide, indium-Zinc-oxide, Zinc oxide, alumi num Zinc oxide, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the thin ?lm of each of the ?rst and second an array of second conductors formed on the top surface of the transparent substrate and disposed alternately With the ?rst conductors; a plurality of spaced apart conductive ?rst bridg 422 and each of Which is sandWiched betWeen the respective one of the ?rst bridging lines 412 and the respective one of the second bridging lines 422 so as to separate the respective one location touched by the user. According to this invention, there is provided a capacitive type touch panel that comprises: a transparent substrate hav ing opposite top and bottom surfaces; an array of ?rst con ductors formed on the top surface of the transparent substrate; plurality of spaced apart insulators 5, each of Which is dis 60 conductors 41, 42 is formed With a plurality of holes 413, 423, and more preferably, each of the holes 413, 423 is a through ing lines, each of Which interconnects tWo adjacent ones of the ?rst conductors; a plurality of spaced apart conductive second bridging lines, each of Which interconnects tWo adja hole. Since the area of each of the ?rst and second conductors cent ones of the second conductors and each of Which inter be adjusted through changing of the number and/ or the diam eter of the holes 413, 423. The holes 413, 423 in the thin ?lm of each of the ?rst and sects insulatively a respective one of the ?rst bridging lines; and a plurality of spaced apart insulators, each of Which is disposed at an intersection of a respective one of the ?rst 41, 42 is a key parameter to the capacitance, sensitivity in detecting the coordinates of a touched location by the user can 65 second conductors 41, 42 occupy a total hole area Within an US 7,864,503 B2 3 4 area enclosed by a periphery of the thin ?lm of the respective one of the ?rst and second conductors 41, 42. In this preferred embodiment, the thin ?lm of each of the ?rst and second conductors 41, 42 has a solid area 411, 421 not equal to the total hole area of the holes 413, 423 therein, and the solid area of the thin ?lm of each of the ?rst conductors 41 differs from that of the thin ?lm of each of the second conductors 42. Alternatively, the shape and the solid area of the thin ?lm of What is claimed is: 1. A capacitive type touch panel comprising: a transparent substrate having opposite top and bottom surfaces; an array of ?rst conductors formed on said top surface of said transparent substrate; an array of second conductors formed on said top surface of said transparent substrate and disposed alternately With said ?rst conductors; a plurality of spaced apart conductive ?rst bridging lines, each of the ?rst conductors 41 are the same as those of the thin ?lm of each of the second conductors 42. Preferably, the transparent substrate 3 is made from a mate each of Which interconnects tWo adjacent ones of said ?rst conductors; a plurality of spaced apart conductive second bridging rial selected from the group consisting of glass, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethyl ene terephthalate, polycarbonate. polyethylene naphthalate, lines, each of Which interconnects tWo adjacent ones of said second conductors and each of Which intersects insulatively a respective one of said ?rst bridging lines; and and Preferably, each of the insulators 5 is made from a material selected from the group consisting of photoresist, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, silicon nitride, alumi num nitride, and tantalum oxide. a plurality of spaced apart insulators, each of Which is disposed at an intersection of a respective one of said 20 The capacitive type touch panel further includes a plurality of conductive ?rst connecting lines 61 formed on the top surface 31 of the transparent substrate 3, and a plurality of conductive second connecting lines 62 formed on the top surface 31 of the transparent substrate 3. The ?rst conductors 41 are arranged into parallel columns. The ?rst conductors 41 of each of the columns are interconnected by respective ones of the ?rst bridging lines 412. The second conductors 42 are arranged into parallel roWs. The second conductors 42 of each of the roWs are interconnected by respective ones of the ond bridging lines. 2. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 1, Wherein each 25 The capacitive type touch panel further includes a plurality of ?rst bonding Wires 63 and a plurality of second bonding Wires 64. Each of the ?rst bonding Wires 63 is connected to a respective one of the ?rst connecting lines 61, and extends outWardly therefrom through a side edge 33 of the transparent substrate 3. Each of the second bonding Wires 64 is connected to a respective one of the second connecting lines 62, and extends outWardly therefrom through the side edge 33 of the transparent substrate 3. The ?rst and second bonding Wires 3. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 1, Wherein each 30 anti-re?ective layer 72. consisting of indium-tin-oxide, indium-Zinc-oxide, Zinc 35 6. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 5, Wherein each of said holes is a through-hole. 40 arrangements included Within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation and equivalent arrangements. 7. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 5, Wherein said holes in said thin ?lm of each of said ?rst and second con ductors occupy a total hole area Within an area enclosed by a periphery of said thin ?lm of the respective one of said ?rst and second conductors, said thin ?lm of each of said ?rst and 45 second conductors having a solid area not equal to said total hole area of said holes therein. 8. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 7, Wherein said 50 solid area of said thin ?lm of each of said ?rst conductors differs from that of said thin ?lm of each of said second conductors. 9. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 1, Wherein said transparent substrate is made from a material selected from the group consisting of glass, polymethylmethacrylate, poly vinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, 55 polyethylene naphthalate, and polycarbonate. 10. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 1, Wherein each of said insulators is made from a material selected from the group consisting of photoresist, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, and 60 tantalum oxide. 11. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of conductive ?rst connecting lines formed on said top surface of said transparent substrate, and tion With What is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various oxide, aluminum Zinc oxide, and combinations thereof. 5. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 3, Wherein said thin ?lm of each of said ?rst and second conductors is formed With a plurality of holes. By forming the ?rst and second conductors 41, 42 on the same surface of the transparent substrate 3, the aforesaid problem of identifying the touched location attributed to the gap betWeen the ?rst and second bonding Wires as encoun tered in the prior art can be eliminated. While the present invention has been described in connec of said ?rst and second conductors is made from a thin ?lm of a conductive transparent material. 4. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 3, Wherein said conductive transparent material is selected from the group 63, 64 are normally formed on a ?exible board. A controller 2 is connected to the ?rst and second bonding Wires 63, 64 for detecting the location Where a change in the electric ?eld among the ?rst and second conductors 41, 42 occurs during the use of the capacitive type touch panel. A protective layer 7 is formed on the ?rst and second conductors 41, 42 and the top surface 31 of the transparent substrate 3, and includes a Wear-resistant layer 71 and an of said insulators is sandWichedbetWeen the respective one of said ?rst bridging lines and the respective one of said second bridging lines. second bridging lines 422. Each of the ?rst connecting lines 61 is connected to an endmost one of the ?rst conductors 41 of a respective one of the columns of the ?rst conductors 41. Each of the second connecting lines 62 is connected to an endmost one of the second conductors 42 of a respective one of the roWs of the second conductors 42. ?rst bridging lines and a respective one of said second bridging lines so as to separate the respective one of said ?rst bridging lines from the respective one of said sec 65 a plurality of conductive second connecting lines formed on said top surface of said transparent substrate, said ?rst con ductors being arranged into parallel columns, said ?rst con ductors of each of said columns being interconnected by US 7,864,503 B2 5 6 respective ones of said ?rst bridging lines, said second con ductors being arranged into parallel roWs, said second con ductors of each of said roWs being interconnected by respec tive ones of said second bridging lines, each of said ?rst connecting lines being connected to an endmost one of said ?rst conductors of a respective one of said columns of said second bonding Wires, said transparent substrate further hav ing a side edge, each of said ?rst bonding Wires being con ?rst conductors, each of said second connecting lines being connected to an endmost one of said second conductors of a respective one of said roWs of said second conductors. 12. The capacitive type touch panel of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of ?rst bonding Wires and a plurality of nected to a respective one of said ?rst connecting lines and extending outWardly therefrom through said side edge of said transparent substrate, each of said second bonding Wires being connected to a respective one of said second connecting lines and extending outWardly therefrom through said side edge of said transparent substrate.

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?