Display device with integral touch panel surface

• US 20050184969A1
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mercury Mission Systems LLC (Mercury Systems, Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: American Panel Corporation (Mercury Systems, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Molnar, Daniel E., Dunn, William R., LeCave, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,400,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

A touch panel is integrated into a flat panel display device having a visual display surface with a front polarizer layer, particularly a liquid crystal display device. The touch panel comprises a flexible transparent membrane containing the front polarizer layer and having a first transparent conductive layer on a lower surface of the flexible transparent membrane and a rigid base comprising the flat panel display device and having a second transparent conductive layer on an upper surface of the rigid base. At least one spacer separates the flexible transparent membrane from the rigid base, keeping the first and second transparent conductive layers in spaced-apart facing relationship. A bus bar and tail communicate a signal from the touch panel to the flat panel display device.

Claims

1. A touch panel integrated into a flat panel display device having a visual display surface with a front polarizer layer, the touch panel comprising:

a flexible transparent membrane comprising the front polarizer layer and having a first transparent conductive layer on a lower surface of the flexible transparent membrane;

a rigid base comprising the flat panel display device and having a second transparent conductive layer on an upper surface of the rigid base;

means for spacing the first and second transparent conductive layers in spaced-apart facing relationship;

bus bars and a tail.

2. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second transparent conductive layers comprise first and second facing films of indium tin oxide.

3. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein:

the spacing means comprises a peripheral seal that, in conjunction with the lower surface of the flexible transparent membrane and upper surface of the rigid base, defines a cavity.

4. The touch panel of claim 3, wherein:

the cavity is filled with a transparent insulating liquid.

5. The touch panel of claim 4, wherein:

the transparent insulating liquid has an index of refraction selected to minimize reflection.

6. The touch panel of claim 3, wherein:

the spacing means further comprises a plurality of spacers between the lower surface of the transparent flexible membrane and the upper surface of the rigid base, wherein said spacers prevent the first and second transparent conductive layers from coming into contact to allow a flow of an electrical current absent a sufficient pressure to a upper surface of the flexible transparent membrane.

7. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein:

the flexible transparent membrane comprises;

a first and a second layer of a non-birefringent material; and

the front polarizer layer, which is a layer of a linear polarizing material, interposed between the first and second layers of non-birefringent material.

8. The touch panel of claim 7, wherein:

the first and second non-birefringent layers comprise cellulose triacetate.

9. The touch panel of claim 7, wherein:

the linear polarizing material is a poly(vinyl alcohol).

10. The touch panel of claim 7, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-reflectant material.

11. The touch panel of claim 10, wherein:

the upper surface of the first non-birefringent layer is coated with the anti-reflectant material before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the second non-birefringent layer and a lower surface of the first non-bi-refringent layer.

12. The touch panel of claim 7, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-glare material.

13. The touch panel of claim 7, wherein:

a lower surface of the second layer of non-birefringent material is coated with a layer of indium tin oxide to provide the first transparent conductive layer.

14. The touch panel of claim 13 wherein:

the lower surface of the second non-birefringent layer is coated with the indium tin oxide layer before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the first non-birefringent layer and an upper surface of the second non-bi-refringent layer.

15. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein:

the rigid base comprises;

a flexible transparent membrane with the second transparent conductive layer on an upper surface thereof and a lower surface adapted for affixation to the flat panel display device; and

the flat panel display device, comprising;

a liquid crystal display with rigid front and rear plates; and

a liquid crystal fluid interposed between the front and rear plates; and

a rear polarizer.

16. The touch panel of claim 15, wherein:

the first and second transparent conductive layers comprise first and second facing films of indium tin oxide.

17. The touch panel of claim 15, wherein:

the spacing means comprises a peripheral seal that, in conjunction with the lower surface of the flexible transparent membrane and upper surface of the rigid base, defines a cavity.

18. The touch panel of claim 17, wherein:

the cavity is filled with a transparent insulating liquid.

19. The touch panel of claim 18, wherein:

the transparent insulating liquid has an index of refraction selected to minimize reflection.

20. The touch panel of claim 17, wherein:

the spacing means further comprises a plurality of spacers between the lower surface of the transparent flexible membrane and the upper surface of the rigid base, wherein said spacers prevent the first and second transparent conductive layers from coming into contact to allow a flow of an electrical current absent a sufficient pressure to a upper surface of the flexible transparent membrane.

21. The touch panel of claim 15, wherein:

the flexible transparent membrane comprises;

a first and a second layer of a non-birefringent material; and

the front polarizer layer, which is a layer of a linear polarizing material, interposed between the first and second layers of non-birefringent material.

22. The touch panel of claim 21, wherein:

the first and second non-birefringent layers comprise cellulose triacetate.

23. The touch panel of claim 21, wherein:

the linear polarizing material is a poly(vinyl alcohol).

24. The touch panel of claim 21, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-reflectant material.

25. The touch panel of claim 24, wherein:

the upper surface of the first non-birefringent layer is coated with the anti-reflectant material before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the second non-birefringent layer and a lower surface of the first non-bi-refringent layer.

26. The touch panel of claim 21, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-glare material.

27. The touch panel of claim 21, wherein:

a lower surface of the second layer of non-birefringent material is coated with a layer of indium tin oxide to provide the first transparent conductive layer.

28. The touch panel of claim 27 wherein:

the lower surface of the second non-birefringent layer is coated with the indium tin oxide layer before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the first non-birefringent layer and an upper surface of the second non-bi-refringent layer.

29. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein:

the rigid base comprises;

a rigid substrate with the second transparent conductive layer on an upper surface thereof and a lower surface adapted for affixation to the flat panel display device;

the flat panel display device, comprising;

a liquid crystal display with front and rear plates; and

a liquid crystal fluid interposed between the front and rear plates; and

a rear polarizer.

30. The touch panel of claim 29, wherein:

the first and second transparent conductive layers comprise first and second facing films of indium tin oxide.

31. The touch panel of claim 29, wherein:

the spacing means comprises a peripheral seal that, in conjunction with the lower surface of the flexible transparent membrane and the upper surface of the rigid base, defines a cavity.

32. The touch panel of claim 31, wherein:

the cavity is filled with a transparent insulating liquid.

33. The touch panel of claim 32, wherein:

the transparent insulating liquid has an index of refraction selected to minimize reflection.

34. The touch panel of claim 31, wherein:

the spacing means further comprises a plurality of spacers between the lower surface of the transparent flexible membrane and the upper surface of the rigid base, wherein said spacers prevent the first and second transparent conductive layers from coming into contact to allow a flow of an electrical current absent a sufficient pressure to a upper surface of the flexible transparent membrane.

35. The touch panel of claim 29, wherein:

the flexible transparent membrane comprises;

a first and a second layer of a non-birefringent material; and

the front polarizer layer, which is a layer of a linear polarizing material, interposed between the first and second layers of non-birefringent material.

36. The touch panel of claim 35, wherein:

the first and second non-birefringent layers comprise cellulose triacetate.

37. The touch panel of claim 35, wherein:

the linear polarizing material is a poly(vinyl alcohol).

38. The touch panel of claim 35, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-reflectant material.

39. The touch panel of claim 38, wherein:

the upper surface of the first non-birefringent layer is coated with the anti-reflectant material before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the second non-birefringent layer and a lower surface of the first non-bi-refringent layer.

40. The touch panel of claim 35, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-glare material.

41. The touch panel of claim 35, wherein:

a lower surface of the second layer of non-birefringent material is coated with a layer of indium tin oxide to provide the first transparent conductive layer.

42. The touch panel of claim 41 wherein:

the lower surface of the second non-birefringent layer is coated with the indium tin oxide layer before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the first non-birefringent layer and an upper surface of the second non-bi-refringent layer.

43. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein:

the rigid base comprises;

the flat panel display device, comprising;

a liquid crystal display with front and rear plates, the second transparent conductive layer on an upper surface of the front plate; and

a liquid crystal fluid interposed between a lower surface of the front and the rear plate; and

a rear polarizer.

44. The touch panel of claim 43, wherein:

the first and second transparent conductive layers comprise first and second facing films of indium tin oxide.

45. The touch panel of claim 43, wherein:

the spacing means comprises a peripheral seal that, in conjunction with the lower surface of the flexible transparent membrane and upper surface of the rigid base, defines a cavity.

46. The touch panel of claim 45, wherein:

the cavity is filled with a transparent insulating liquid.

47. The touch panel of claim 46, wherein:

the transparent insulating liquid has an index of refraction selected to minimize reflection.

48. The touch panel of claim 45, wherein:

the spacing means further comprises a plurality of spacers between the lower surface of the transparent flexible membrane and the upper surface of the rigid base, wherein said spacers prevent the first and second transparent conductive layers from coming into contact to allow a flow of an electrical current absent a sufficient pressure to a upper surface of the flexible transparent membrane.

49. The touch panel of claim 43, wherein:

the flexible transparent membrane comprises;

a first and a second layer of a non-birefringent material; and

the front polarizer layer, which is a layer of a linear polarizing material, interposed between the first and second layers of non-birefringent material.

50. The touch panel of claim 49, wherein:

the first and second non-birefringent layers comprise cellulose triacetate.

51. The touch panel of claim 49, wherein:

the linear polarizing material is a poly(vinyl alcohol).

52. The touch panel of claim 49, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-reflectant material.

53. The touch panel of claim 52, wherein:

the upper surface of the first non-birefringent layer is coated with the anti-reflectant material before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the second non-birefringent layer and a lower surface of the first non-bi-refringent layer.

54. The touch panel of claim 49, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-glare material.

55. The touch panel of claim 49, wherein:

a lower surface of the second layer of non-birefringent material is coated with a layer of indium tin oxide to provide the first transparent conductive layer.

56. The touch panel of claim 55 wherein:

the lower surface of the second non-birefringent layer is coated with the indium tin oxide layer before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the first non-birefringent layer and an upper surface of the second non-bi-refringent layer.

57. A flexible transparent membrane for use in a touch panel for a flat panel display device having a visual display surface with a front polarizer layer, comprising:

a first and a second layer of a non-birefringent material; and

the front polarizer layer, which is a layer of a linear polarizing material, interposed between the first and second layers of non-birefringent material.

58. The membrane of claim 57, wherein:

the first and second non-birefringent layers comprise cellulose triacetate.

59. The membrane of claim 58, wherein:

the linear polarizing material is a poly(vinyl alcohol).

60. The membrane of claim 59, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-reflectant material.

61. The membrane of claim 60 wherein:

the first non-birefringent layer is coated with anti-reflectant material before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the first and second non-birefringent layers.

62. The membrane of claim 59, wherein:

an upper surface of the first layer of non-birefringent material is coated with an anti-glare material.

63. The membrane of claim 59, wherein:

a lower surface of the second layer of non-birefringent material is coated with a transparent conductive layer of indium tin oxide.

64. The membrane of claim 63 wherein:

the second non-birefringent layer is coated with the transparent conductive indium tin oxide layer before the front polarizer layer is interposed between the first and second non-birefringent layers.