Translucent touch screens including invisible electronic component connections

• US 8,310,454 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yang, Jung Sik, Kaistha, Amit, Park, Chan Woo, Wienke, Matthew B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, VINH TANG
• Application Number:
  US11/962,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20090160783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 178 1801- 1808
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04112 Electrode mesh in capacitive digitiser: electrode for touch sensing is formed of a mesh of very fine, normally metallic, interconnected lines that are almost invisible to see. This provides a quite large but transparent electrode surface, without need for ITO or similar transparent conductive material
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04164 Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

Disclosed is a touch screen of semi-transparent mesh that may be utilized by, for example, a mobile communication device. The mesh may be utilized for both a touch screen and an electrical circuit for an electronic component attached to it. That is, the mesh may be in part a touch screen, and in part an electrical circuit. The touch surface includes mesh composed of a conductive material configured to provide input signals from activation points of the touch surface to the control circuit of the device. The mesh of a conductive material also includes an electrical circuit configured to provide audio signals from the control circuit of the device to the speaker. Since the disclosed semi-transparent mesh acts an electrical circuit, artwork to hide electrical circuits from the electronic component to the controller is not necessary. A switchable ground eliminates interference between the touch screen and the electrical circuit.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising:

a first housing including a display and a control circuit; and

a second housing adjustable relative to the first housing between an open position and a closed position, the second housing including a touch surface that is positioned substantially parallel to the display of the first housing when the second housing in the closed position and an audio output component, the touch surface has at least semi-transparent properties so that the display of the first housing is viewable through the touch surface when the second housing is in the closed position,

wherein the touch surface includes a mesh composed of a conductive material, the mesh providing audio signals from the control circuit of the first housing to the audio output component of the second housing and input signals from activation points of the touch surface to the control circuit of the first housing.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the mesh composed of a conductive material having a resistivity less than about 3.0 ohm/mm².

3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the mesh is composed of copper.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the mesh has been deposited on a film, which is was then molded to form a mesh-film and plastic combination.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 1 having a form factor selected from the group of a clam shell form factor, a rotator form factor, and a slider form factor.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein:

the touch surface includes pattern traces configured to receive input to generate input signals;

at least a portion of the mesh defines the pattern traces for the touch surface activation points; and

at least a portion of the mesh defines one or more pattern traces as a circuit for the audio output component.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the circuit for the audio output component includes a switchable ground.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 7, further comprising:

a switch to activate the switchable ground when the second housing moveable relative to the first housing is in a closed position and deactivate the ground when the second housing moveable relative to the first housing in the open position.