Touch sensing mirror structure

• US 9,623,800 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2015
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unimicron Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: UniDisplay Inc. (Unimicron Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Chan, Meng-Chia, Chang, Tse-Hu
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US14/943,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20160167584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 359265, 359267, 359273, 359274
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2551/08 Mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/14 applied in spaced arrangements, e.g. in stripes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/00 Tenebrescent materials, i.e. materials for which the range of wavelengths for energy absorption is changed as a result of excitation by some form of energy
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/111 using layers comprising organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/14 Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133502 Antiglare, refractive index matching layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1536 : additional, e.g. protective, layer inside the cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/38 : Anti-reflection arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/503 : Arrangements improving the resistance to shock
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/58 : Arrangements comprising a monitoring photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 : using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/38 : using electrochromic devices

Abstract

A touch sensing mirror structure including a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, a package material, an electrochromic material, a light reflecting electrode layer, and a transparent electrode layer is provided. The second transparent substrate is located above the first transparent substrate. The package material is bonded between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to define a chamber between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. The chamber is filled with the electrochromic material. The light reflecting electrode layer is disposed on the first transparent substrate and contacts the electrochromic material. The transparent electrode layer is disposed on the second transparent substrate and contacts the electrochromic material.

Claims

1. A mirror structure comprising:

a first transparent substrate;

a second transparent substrate, located above the first transparent substrate;

a package material, bonded between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to define a chamber between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate;

an electrochromic material, the chamber being filled with the electrochromic material;

a light reflecting electrode layer, disposed on the first transparent substrate, the light reflecting electrode layer contacting the electrochromic material; and

a transparent electrode layer, disposed on the second transparent substrate, the transparent electrode layer contacting the electrochromic material, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises a first anti-shatter film, the first anti-shatter film disposed on the second transparent substrate.

2. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply, electrically connected to the light reflecting electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer.

3. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a photo-sensing element, electrically connected to the power supply, wherein, when the photo-sensing element senses a light beam projected to the second transparent substrate, the power supply supplies a voltage to the light reflecting electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer and generates an electric field between the light reflecting electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer to reduce light reflectivity of the touch sensing mirror structure under the electric field.

4. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electrochromic material is changed from a transparent state to a non-transparent state under the electric field.

5. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent electrode layer further comprises a transparent conductive material layer, the transparent conductive material layer disposed on the first anti-shatter film;

and wherein the first anti-shatter film is located between the transparent conductive material layer and the second transparent substrate.

6. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second anti-shatter film, disposed on the second transparent substrate, the second anti-shatter film and the transparent electrode layer being located at two respective sides of the second transparent substrate; and

a touch sensing layer, disposed on the second anti-shatter film, the second anti-shatter film being located between the touch sensing layer and the second transparent substrate.

7. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transparent electrode layer further comprises a transparent conductive material layer, the transparent conductive material layer disposed on the first anti-shatter film;

and wherein the first anti-shatter film is located between the transparent conductive material layer and the second transparent substrate.

8. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent electrode layer further comprises a transparent touch sensing layer, the transparent touch sensing layer disposed on the first anti-shatter film;

and wherein the first anti-shatter film is located between the transparent touch sensing layer and the second transparent substrate.

9. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the package material comprises a spacer and a sealant, the spacer abutting against the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate;

and wherein the sealant encapsulating the spacer is bonded between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.

10. The mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent electrode layer faces the light reflecting electrode layer, and the electrochromic material is located between the transparent electrode layer and the light reflecting electrode layer.