Touch input device with display front

• US 20070085837A1
• Filed: 10/17/2005
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Ricks, Theodore, Johnson, David, Burberry, Mitchell
• Application Number:
  US11/252,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20070085837A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

An electrically updatable device having a touch sensor and a flexible display is disclosed, wherein the display is between the touch sensor and a viewer. The display comprises a pressure-insensitive imaging layer of polymer-dispersed imaging material, wherein the thickness of the imaging layer is defined by the polymer.

Claims

1. An electrically updatable device comprising a touch sensor and a flexible display, wherein the display is between the touch sensor and a viewer, and wherein the display comprises a pressure-insensitive imaging layer of polymer-dispersed imaging material, wherein the thickness of the imaging layer is defined by the polymer.

2. The device of claim 1, comprising:

a substrate;

a first display conductive layer on the substrate;

the pressure-insensitive imaging layer on the first display conductive layer;

a first touch sensor conductive layer on the imaging material;

spacers on the first touch sensor conductive layer; and

a second touch sensor conductive layer on the spacers.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a second display conductive layer and an insulating layer between the imaging material and the first touch sensor conductive layer.

4. The device of claim 2, further comprising a second substrate on the second touch sensor conductive layer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the display comprises multiple, discrete displays.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising more than one touch sensor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the display and touch sensor are integral.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the display has an electronically-updateable portion, and the updatable portion overlaps at least a portion of the touch sensor.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the display and the touch sensor are the same or different sizes.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the display and the touch sensor are the same or different shapes.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is at least partially opaque.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the display is segmented, pixilated, or a combination thereof.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, acoustic, optical, or a combination thereof.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is resistive, capacitive, ultrasonic, infrared, or a combination thereof.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the device is flexible.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the display layer is pre-written.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is reflective, transmissive, or transflective.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the imaging material is liquid crystal.

19. An electronically updatable device comprising one or more of the devices of claim 1.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the device is a calculator, personal digital assistant, touchpad, writing tablet, notation board, drawing pad, kiosk, menu-driven interface, keyboard overlay, industrial controller, data input device, informational signage, video game, toy, watch, or electronic book.