Dielectric layer for touch sensor stack

• US 9,098,152 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neodrón Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Guard, David Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): GIESY, ADAM
• Application Number:
  US13/556,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20140028570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• 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 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.

Abstract

In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes a substrate comprising a first surface. The touch sensor also includes a plurality of first electrodes comprising one or more conductive materials on the first surface. The touch sensor further includes a dielectric layer attached at least indirectly to the first electrodes and at least a portion of the first surface. The dielectric layer is configured to face an electronic display panel with an air gap between the dielectric layer and the electronic display panel. The dielectric layer has a refractive index of less than approximately 1.5.

Claims

1. A touch sensor comprising:

a substrate comprising a first surface configured to face toward an electronic display panel when coupled to the electronic display panel;

a plurality of first electrodes comprising one or more conductive materials on the first surface; and

a dielectric layer attached directly to the first electrodes and at least a portion of the first surface, the dielectric layer being configured to face toward the electronic display panel when coupled to the electronic display panel, with an air gap between the dielectric layer and the electronic display panel, the dielectric layer having a refractive index of less than approximately 1.5.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of second electrodes comprising one or more conductive materials on a second surface of the first substrate or a second substrate;

a second dielectric layer attached at least indirectly to the second electrodes and at least a portion of the second surface; and

a substantially transparent cover panel disposed on the dielectric layer.

3. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the conductive materials comprise indium tin oxide, a plurality of fine lines of metal, or a plurality of carbon nanotubes.

4. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.5 and greater than approximately 1.

5. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.5 and greater than or equal to approximately 1.1.

6. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.5 and greater than or equal to approximately 1.25.

7. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.45 and greater than or equal to approximately 1.25.

8. A device comprising:

a touch sensor comprising;

a substrate comprising a first surface configured to face toward an electronic display panel when coupled to the electronic display panel;

a plurality of first electrodes comprising one or more conductive materials on the first surface; and

a dielectric layer attached directly to the first electrodes and at least a portion of the first surface, the dielectric layer being configured to face toward the electronic display panel when coupled to the electronic display panel, with an air gap between the dielectric layer and the electronic display panel, the dielectric layer having a refractive index of less than approximately 1.5; and

one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media coupled to the touch sensor and embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the touch sensor further comprises:

a plurality of second electrodes comprising one or more conductive materials on a second surface of the first substrate or a second substrate;

a second dielectric layer attached at least indirectly to the second electrodes and at least a portion of the second surface; and

a substantially transparent cover panel disposed on the dielectric layer.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the conductive materials comprise indium tin oxide, a plurality of fine lines of metal, or a plurality of carbon nanotubes.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.5 and greater than approximately 1.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.5 and greater than or equal to approximately 1.1.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.5 and greater than or equal to approximately 1.25.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.45 and greater than or equal to approximately 1.25.

15. The device of claim 8, wherein the device comprises the electronic display panel.

16. A method for forming a touch sensor, the method comprising:

providing a substrate comprising a first surface configured to face toward an electronic display panel when coupled to the electronic display panel;

forming a plurality of first electrodes comprising one or more conductive materials on the first surface; and

attaching a dielectric layer directly to the first electrodes and at least a portion of the first surface, the dielectric layer being configured to face toward the electronic display panel when coupled to the electronic display panel, with an air gap between the dielectric layer and the electronic display panel, the dielectric layer having a refractive index of less than approximately 1.5.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.5 and greater than approximately 1.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the refractive index of the dielectric layer is less than approximately 1.45 and greater than or equal to approximately 1.25.