Patterned conductor touch screen having improved optics
First Claim
1. A touch screen comprising:
- a substrate;
a coating substantially covering the substrate;
a transparent conductor pattern disposed on the coating, the pattern leaving areas of the coating uncovered; and
a filler material covering and contacting both the transparent conductor pattern and the areas of the coating uncovered by the transparent conductor pattern;
wherein the coating has a refractive index that is less than that of the substrate and less than that of the transparent conductor pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a touch screen that includes a pattern of transparent conductors as touch sensing elements, and that has a layered construction configured to reduce the visibility of the transparent conductor pattern. The construction includes a coating covering a substrate, the transparent conductor pattern disposed on the coating, and a filler material covering and contacting the transparent conductor pattern and the areas of the coating not covered by the transparent conductor pattern, where the index of refraction of the filler material is less than the index of refraction of the substrate and less than the index of refraction of the transparent conductor pattern.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A touch screen comprising:
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a substrate;
a coating substantially covering the substrate;
a transparent conductor pattern disposed on the coating, the pattern leaving areas of the coating uncovered; and
a filler material covering and contacting both the transparent conductor pattern and the areas of the coating uncovered by the transparent conductor pattern;
wherein the coating has a refractive index that is less than that of the substrate and less than that of the transparent conductor pattern. - View Dependent Claims (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)
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28. A touch screen construction comprising:
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a PET substrate;
an silicon oxide layer covering the PET substrate;
an array of parallel ITO bars disposed on the silicon oxide layer; and
an optically clear pressure sensitive adhesive disposed over and covering the ITO bars, the optically clear pressure sensitive adhesive having a refractive index in the range of 1.4 to 1.8 inclusive. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A touch screen comprising:
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a touch screen construction comprising;
a transparent conductor patterned on a substrate;
a first layer substantially covering the substrate and disposed between the transparent conductor and the substrate, the first layer configured to increase visible light transmission through the touch screen in areas covered by the transparent conductor; and
a second layer disposed to contact the transparent conductor in areas covered by the transparent conductor and to contact the first layer in areas uncovered by the transparent conductor, the second layer configured to substantially inhibit visible light reflections at contact interfaces between the first layer and the second layer. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A method for reducing the visibility of a patterned transparent conductor in a touch screen comprising:
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coating an undercoat material between a substrate and the patterned transparent conductor so that the undercoat material substantially covers the substrate, the undercoat material having a refractive index that is less than that of the substrate and the patterned transparent conductor, and wherein the patterned transparent conductor leaves areas of the undercoat material exposed; and
disposing a filler material over the patterned transparent conductor and exposed areas of the undercoat material, the filler material having a refractive index and thickness selected to reduce interfacial reflections of visible light in areas covered by the patterned transparent conductor. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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Specification