Multifunctional multilayer optical film

• US 20040027339A1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Schulz, Stephen C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,151,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3417 all coatings being oxide coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3435 comprising a nitride, oxynitride, boronitride or carbonitride
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

Optical component for use in a touch sensor and method of fabrication of same are disclosed. Optical component includes a multilayer optical film at least some layers of which are fabricated on the same manufacturing line and using the same manufacturing method. Each layer of the multilayer optical film is designed primarily to provide a desired associated property.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a touch sensor component, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a molten glass substrate on a molten metal bath, and using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition to form at least four films onto the glass substrate including;

a first film designed primarily to have a pre-determined optical clarity and electrical conductivity;

a second film designed primarily to isolate the first film from the glass substrate;

a third film designed primarily to resist abrasion; and

a fourth film designed primarily to reduce reflection.

2. A touch sensor comprising the touch sensor component made according to the method of claim 1.

3. A method of manufacturing an optical component for use in a touch sensor, comprising the steps of:

forming a glass substrate on a manufacturing line, and on the same manufacturing line sequentially disposing a multilayer optical film on the glass substrate, each layer of the multilayer optical film being deposited using the same deposition technique, the multilayer film comprising;

a first film designed primarily to provide a pre-determined optical clarity and sheet conductivity;

a second film disposed between the first film and the substrate to isolate the first film from the substrate; and

a third film designed primarily to provide at least a pre-determined resistance to abrasion.

4. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the touch sensor is capacitive.

5. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the glass is formed on a float line.

6. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the technique used to sequentially dispose the multilayer optical film comprises chemical vapor deposition.

7. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the technique used to sequentially dispose the multilayer optical film comprises atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition.

8. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the technique used to sequentially dispose the multilayer optical film comprises vacuum deposition.

9. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the front and the back side of the optical component is matte.

10. The multilayer optical film according to claim 3 further comprising a fourth film designed primarily to reduce glare.

11. The multilayer optical film according to claim 10 wherein the fourth film is designed primarily to reduce specular reflection.

12. The multilayer optical film according to claim 10 wherein the fourth film is designed primarily to reduce diffuse reflection.

13. The multilayer optical film according to claim 10 wherein the fourth film comprises silicon dioxide.

14. The multilayer optical film according to claim 10 wherein the fourth film comprises aluminum oxide.

15. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the glass substrate includes a dopant.

16. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the first film comprises indium tin oxide.

17. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the first film comprises fluorine doped tin oxide.

18. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the first film comprises antimony tin oxide.

19. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the first film comprises zinc oxide.

20. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the second film comprises silicon dioxide.

21. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the second film comprises tin oxide.

22. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the third film comprises tin oxide.

23. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the third film comprises aluminum oxide.

24. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the third film comprises tantalum oxide.

25. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the third film comprises zirconium oxide.

26. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the third film comprises titanium oxide.

27. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the third film comprises titanium nitrite.

28. The method of manufacturing according to claim 3 wherein the third film comprises silicone nitrite.

29. A method of manufacturing a multilayer optical film for use in a touch sensor comprising the steps of:

forming a float glass substrate on a manufacturing line, and on the same manufacturing line;

disposing a transparent conductive film onto the glass substrate, the conductive film designed primarily to provide a pre-determined optical transmission and sheet resistance; and

disposing a barrier film between the transparent conductive film and the glass substrate, the barrier film designed primarily to isolate the conductive film from the glass substrate;

wherein the transparent conductive film and the barrier film are disposed using the same film deposition technique.

30. The method of manufacturing according to claim 29 wherein the touch sensor is resistive.

31. The method of manufacturing according to claim 29 wherein formation of the glass substrate comprises a step of floating the glass on a molten metal.

32. The method of manufacturing according to claim 29 wherein the film deposition technique comprises chemical vapor deposition.

33. The method of manufacturing according to claim 29 wherein the film deposition technique comprises atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition.

34. The method of manufacturing according to claim 29 wherein the film deposition technique comprises vacuum deposition.

35. The method of manufacturing according to claim 29 wherein the front and/or the back side of the multilayer optical film is matte.

36. A touch sensor comprising the multilayer optical film made according to the method of claim 29.

37. A multilayer optical component for use in a touch sensor, said optical component comprising at least three films disposed on an optically transmissive substrate,

wherein the substrate is manufactured using a float technology;

wherein the at least three films are manufactured using the float technology;

wherein at least the first film is designed primarily for a pre-determined optical clarity and electrical conductivity;

wherein at least the second film is designed primarily for isolating said first film from said substrate; and

wherein at least the third film is designed primarily for providing a predetermined resistance to abrasion.

38. The multilayer optical component according to claim 37 wherein the manufacturing technology used to manufacture the at least three films comprises chemical vapor deposition.

39. The multilayer optical component according to claim 37 wherein the manufacturing technology used to manufacture the at least three films comprises atmospheric chemical vapor deposition.

40. The multilayer optical component according to claim 37 wherein the manufacturing technology used to manufacture the at least three films comprises vacuum deposition.

41. A touch sensing display system comprising:

a glass substrate formed using a float technology;

at least four optical films disposed sequentially onto the glass substrate using an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition technique;

wherein the first film is designed primarily for a pre-determined optical clarity and electrical conductivity;

wherein the second film is designed primarily for isolating said first film from said substrate;

wherein the third film is designed primarily for resisting abrasion; and

wherein the fourth film is designed primarily for reducing reflection.