CAPACITIVE TOUCH PANELS

• US 20120169664A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M-Solv Ltd.
• Original Assignee: M-Solv Ltd.
• Inventors: Milne, David Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,881,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/172 wherein at least one of the layers is non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0619 with spots located on opposed surfaces of the workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0676 into dependently operating sub-beams, e.g. an array of spots with fixed spatial relationship or for performing simultaneously identical operations
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/40 taking account of the properties of the material involved
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• 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: Y10T 29/49156 with selective destruction of conductive paths

Abstract

An apparatus for laser scribing two transparent electrically conductive layers (72A,B; 73A,B) deposited on opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate (71A; 71B) comprising; a laser beam (74A), one or more lenses (75A, 76A, 77A) configured and positioned for adjusting the focal spot (78A; 78B) of the laser beam between a first position (78A) and a second position (78B), means for holding a substrate in a plane between the first and second position and means for moving the relative positions of the substrate (71A; 71B) and laser beam (74A) in two dimensions within the plane or a plane parallel to it, wherein in use, the first and second positions (78A; 78B) coincide with or are adjacent to exposed surfaces of the two transparent electrically conducting layers (72A,B; 73A,B).

Claims

1. A method for laser scribing two transparent electrically conductive layers deposited on opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate comprising:

1. directing a laser beam through one or more lenses to a first focal spot on or closely adjacent an exposed surface of a first of the two layers;

2. initiating relative movement between the laser and the substrate in two axes in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the laser beam whereby to scribe an electrode pattern on the first of the two layers;

3. repositioning the one or more lenses and focusing the laser beam at a second focal spot on or closely adjacent an exposed surface of the second of the two layers;

4. initiating relative movement between the laser and the substrate in two axes in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the laser beam whereby to scribe an electrode pattern on the second of the two layers.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein step 3 involves a single lens positioned along the laser beam axis between the point of emergence of the laser beam and the substrate and is moved along the axis of the laser beam so as to adjust the position of the focal spot.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein step 3 involves providing two or more lenses and adjusting the separation between two or more of the lenses to adjust the position of the focus spot.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 involving positioning one or more lenses to interrupt the laser beam before it emerges and repositioning the one or more lenses to alter the divergence of the beam and hence the focal spot of the emergent beam relative to the substrate.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrode pattern of steps 2 and 4 is different.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the relative movement of steps 2 and 4 is achieved through movement of the substrate against a stationary laser beam.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the relative movement of steps 2 and 4 is achieved through movement of the laser beam against a stationary substrate.

17. A touch screen panel manufactured according to the method of claim 1.

8. An apparatus for laser scribing two transparent electrically conductive layers deposited on opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate comprising;

a laser beam, one or more lenses configured and positioned for adjusting the focal spot of the laser beam between a first position and a second position, means for holding a substrate in a plane between the first and second position and means for moving the relative positions of the substrate and laser beam in two dimensions within the plane or a plane parallel to it, wherein in use, the first and second positions coincide with or are adjacent to exposed surfaces of the two transparent electrically conducting layers.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein a single lens is positioned on the axis of the laser beam between its point of emergence and the focal spot and is configured to be moved along the axis.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein multiple lenses are positioned on the axis of the laser beam between its point of emergence and the focal spot and are configured to have their separation adjusted along the axis.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein divergence of the laser beam and hence the position of the focal spot is adjusted by repositioning of one or more lenses in the beam prior to its emergence.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising two lenses embodied in a telescope.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the laser beam is directed through a two axis scanner unit.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the scanner is configured to be moved in two orthogonal axes in a plane parallel to the scribed substrate.

15. A method substantially as described herein with reference to accompanying FIGS. 6A &

B or 7A &

B.

16. An apparatus substantially as described herein and with reference to FIGS. 6A &

B, 7A &

B, 8A &

B or 9A &

B.