Touch panel

• US 20050199481A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
• Original Assignee: TPO Displays Corporation (InnoLux Corporation)
• Inventors: Lo, Ming-Mo, Mai, Che-Kuei
• Granted Patent: US 7,026,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/512
• 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 provided. The touch panel includes a first flexible substrate with a first surface, a second substrate with a second surface facing the first surface, and a masking structure with a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface respectively adjacent to an edge portion of the first flexible substrate and an edge portion of the second substrate. The second contacting surface is wider than the first contacting surface.

Claims

1. A touch panel, comprising:

a first flexible substrate with a first surface;

a second substrate with a second surface facing said first surface; and

a masking structure with a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface respectively adjacent to an edge portion of said first flexible substrate and an edge portion of said second substrate,

wherein said second contacting surface extends inward to said first flexible substrate and said second substrate more than said first contacting surface does.

2. The touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first flexible substrate further comprises a touch surface for receiving a touch.

3. The touch panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first flexible substrate has a shape change after receiving said touch.

4. The touch panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first conductive layer located on said first surface.

5. The touch panel as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second conductive layer located on said second surface.

6. The touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first flexible substrate and said second substrate are made of a transparent insulating material.

7. The touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said masking structure is made of an absorbent.

8. The touch panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said masking structure is black.

9. A touch panel device, comprising:

a first flexible substrate with a first surface;

a frame rimming said first flexible substrate;

a second substrate with a second surface facing said first surface; and

a masking structure with a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface respectively adjacently to an edge portion of said first flexible substrate and an edge portion of said second substrate,

wherein said masking structure extends inward to said first flexible substrate and said second substrate and more than that of said frame does, and said second contacting surface extends inward to said first flexible substrate and said second substrate more than said first contacting surface does.

10. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first contacting surface contacts said first surface, and said second contacting surface contacts said second surface.

11. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first flexible substrate further comprises a touch surface for receiving a touch.

12. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first flexible substrate and said second substrate are made of a transparent insulating material.

13. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said masking structure is made of an absorbent.

14. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said masking structure is black.

18. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said masking structure is made of an absorbent.

15. A touch panel device, comprising:

a first flexible substrate with a first surface;

a frame rimming said first flexible substrate;

a second substrate with a second surface facing said first surface; and

a masking structure formed by stacking a plurality of insulating layers and located between an edge portion of said first flexible substrate and an edge portion of said second substrate,

wherein one of said plurality of insulating layers is adjacent to said first surface and extends inward to said first flexible substrate less than an insulating layer located therebelow does.

16. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first flexible substrate further comprises a touch surface for receiving a touch.

17. The touch panel device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first flexible substrate and said second substrate are made of a transparent insulating material.