TOUCH SCREEN ELECTRODE ENHANCEMENTS

• US 20110279398A1
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: PHILIPP, Harald
• Application Number:
  US12/778,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20110279398A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• 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 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes

Abstract

Darkening layers and/or passivation layers are provided on electrodes of panels for touch sensitive screens. Darkening, for example, reduces reflections of ambient light that might otherwise increase electrode visibility. Passivation reduces performance degradation due to electrode oxidation. A darkening layer may also serve as a passivation layer.

Claims

1. A panel for a touch sensitive screen, comprising:

a transparent substrate;

a plurality of first conductive electrodes provided adjacent to the transparent substrate, at least one of the plurality of first conductive electrodes provided with a first darkening layer;

a plurality of second conductive electrodes, at least one of the plurality of second conductive electrodes provided with a second darkening layer, wherein a node is formed at intersections of the plurality of first conductive electrodes and the plurality of second conductive electrodes; and

a transparent insulating layer provided between the plurality of first conductive electrodes and the plurality of second conductive electrodes.

2. The panel of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the plurality of first conductive electrodes is further provided with a first passivation layer, and

at least one of the plurality of second conductive electrodes is further provided with a second passivation layer.

3. The panel of claim 2, wherein:

the first passivation layer is provided between the first conductive electrode and the first darkening layer, and

the second passivation layer is provided between the second conductive electrode and the second darkening layer.

4. The panel of claim 1, wherein the darkening layers function as passivation layers.

5. The panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive electrodes comprise fine line conductive materials.

12. The panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second darkening layers are comprised of at least one material selected from the group of copper oxides and copper sulfides.

14. The panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second darkening layers are comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of titanium and tungsten.

16. The panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second darkening layers are comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a pigment and an ink.

24. The panel of claim 1, wherein the reflectivity to light of the first and second darkening layers is lower than the reflectivity to light of the material of the plurality of electrodes.

26. The panel of claim 2, wherein:

the first darkening layer is provided between the first conductive electrode and the first passivation layer, and

the second darkening layer is provided between the second conductive electrode and the second passivation layer.

6. A touch panel for a touch sensitive screen, comprising:

a first conductive electrode layer comprising a plurality of drive electrodes extending in a first direction;

a transparent insulating layer adjacent to the first electrodes;

a second conductive electrode layer, adjacent to the transparent insulating layer, comprising a plurality of sense electrodes extending in a second direction across the second insulating substrate to form capacitive couplings with the drive electrodes at nodes of intersection with electrodes of the first conductive electrode layer;

a transparent panel covering the second electrodes, for touch by an object and exposed to ambient light; and

a darkening layer on at least one surface exposed to ambient light through the transparent panel of at least one electrode of at least one of the first and second conductive electrode layers.

7. The panel of claim 6, wherein the darkening layers are formed only on surfaces of electrodes of the at least one of the first and second conductive electrode layers facing toward the transparent panel.

8. The panel of claim 6, wherein the darkening layers are formed on a plurality of surfaces of at least one electrode of the at least one of the first and second conductive electrode layers exposed to ambient light.

9. The panel of claim 6, wherein the darkening layers comprise darkening layers formed on at least one surface of at least one electrode of both of the first and second conductive electrode layers.

13. The panel of claim 6, wherein the darkening layer is comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper oxides and copper sulfides.

15. The panel of claim 6, wherein the darkening layer is comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of titanium and tungsten.

17. The panel of claim 6, wherein the darkening layer is comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a pigment and an ink.

25. The panel of claim 6, wherein the reflectivity to light of the darkening layer is lower than the reflectivity to light of the material of the plurality of electrodes.

10. A panel for a touch sensitive screen, comprising:

a transparent insulating substrate;

a plurality of first conductive electrodes provided adjacent to the transparent insulating substrate, at least one of the plurality of first conductive electrodes having a first passivation layer;

a plurality of second conductive electrodes, at least one of the plurality of second conductive electrodes having a second passivation layer, wherein a node is formed at intersections of the plurality of first conductive electrodes and the plurality of second conductive electrodes; and

an transparent insulating layer provided between the plurality of first conductive electrodes and the plurality of second conductive electrodes.

18. The panel of claim 10, wherein the first and second passivation layers are comprised of at least one selected material from the group consisting of copper oxides and copper sulfides.

20. The panel of claim 10, wherein the first and second passivation layers are comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of tin, nickel and gold.

22. The panel of claim 10, wherein the first and second passivation layers are comprised of a polymer.

11. A touch panel for a touch sensitive screen, comprising:

a first conductive electrode layer comprising a plurality of electrodes extending in a first direction;

a transparent insulating layer adjacent to the first electrodes;

a second conductive electrode layer, adjacent to the transparent insulating layer, comprising a plurality of electrodes extending in a second direction across the second insulating substrate to form capacitive couplings with the drive electrodes at nodes of intersection with all of the electrodes of the first conductive electrode layer;

a transparent panel covering the second electrodes, for being touched by an object and being exposed to ambient light; and

a passivation layer on at least one electrode of at least one of the first and second conductive electrode layers.

19. The panel of claim 11, wherein the passivation layer is comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper oxides and copper sulfides.

21. The panel of claim 11, wherein the passivation layer is comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of tin, nickel and gold.

23. The panel of claim 11, wherein the passivation layer is comprised of a polymer.