Glass Touch Screen

• US 20080273014A1
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Lowles, Robert, Robinson, James Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,195,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04113 Peripheral electrode pattern in resistive digitisers, i.e. electrodes at the periphery of the resistive sheet are shaped in patterns enhancing linearity of induced field
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

These needs, and others, are met by at least one embodiment of the disclosed invention which provides for a touch sensitive screen for an electronic device wherein there is a sparse pattern of sensors disposed within the active area and a dense pattern of sensors disposed within the viewing area. In this configuration, the pixels in the active area may have a larger aspect ratio and provide a more pleasing image while the dense sensors disposed within the viewing area provide more accurate touch sensitivity. Further, the software, or other electronics, used to create the image, may be structured to position menus or other selectable images adjacent to the viewing area. Similarly, certain images, such as icons, can be programmed to be displayed directly under the sensors in the active area. Generally, this configuration provides for the best of both worlds; a bright, clear image with some touch sensitivity in the active area and a sensitive sensor grid in the viewing area where there are no pixels.

Claims

1. A touch sensitive screen for an electronic device, said electronic device having a control assembly structured to provide a video input to a display assembly input/output assembly and to receive sensor output from a sensor assembly, said touch sensitive screen comprising:

a display assembly having an input/output assembly and an LCD panel, said input/output assembly structured to receive a video input from said control assembly and to produce an image on said LCD panel;

said LCD panel having an active area and a viewing area;

a sensor assembly having an output device and a plurality of detectors;

each said detectors structured to detect an object adjacent to said detector and to provide a signal to said output device;

said detectors disposed on said display screen in a pattern having at least a first portion and a second portion;

said detector pattern first portion having a spare dispersion of detectors and disposed over said LCD panel active area;

said detector pattern first portion having a dense dispersion of detectors and disposed over said LCD panel viewing area; and

said sensor output device structured to receive each said sensor signal and to provide a sensor output to said control assembly, said sensor output having data indicating the position of said adjacent object relative to said LCD panel active area and viewing area.

2. The touch sensitive screen of claim 1, wherein:

the spacing of said detectors in said first portion is between about 1.0 mm and 10.0 mm between detectors; and

the spacing of said detectors in said second portion is between about between about 0.5 mm and 6.0 mm between detectors.

3. The touch sensitive screen of claim 2, wherein:

the spacing of said detectors in said first portion is about 3.0 mm between detectors; and

the spacing of said detectors in said second portion is about 1.0 mm between detectors.

4. The touch sensitive screen of claim 2, wherein said detectors are capacitive detectors structured to sense a change in capacitance.

5. The touch sensitive screen of claim 4, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said capacitive detectors being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

6. The touch sensitive screen of claim 4, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said capacitive detectors being disposed upon said upper substrate upper, outer surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

7. The touch sensitive screen of claim 2, wherein said detectors are optical detectors structured to detect a reflection of light.

8. The touch sensitive screen of claim 7, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said optical detectors being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

9. The touch sensitive screen of claim 7, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said optical detectors being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

10. The touch sensitive screen of claim 4, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship;

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate;

wherein said second electrode has an aperture pattern so that, when said first electrode and said second electrode are selectively charged, said liquid crystal layer forms defined pixels; and

said pixels in said LCD panel active area have an aspect ratio of about 30 to 65.

11. The touch sensitive screen of claim 1, wherein said detector pattern includes a third portion, said third portion having a dense dispersion of detectors and disposed over said LCD panel active area, said third portion being smaller than said first portion.

12. The touch sensitive screen of claim 11, wherein:

the spacing of said detectors in said first portion is between about 1.0 mm and 10.0 mm between detectors;

the spacing of said detectors in said second portion is between about between about 0.5 mm and 6.0 mm between detectors; and

the spacing of said detectors in said third portion is between about between about 0.05 mm and 3.0 mm between detectors.

13. The touch sensitive screen of claim 12, wherein:

the spacing of said detectors in said first portion is about 3.0 mm between detectors;

the spacing of said detectors in said second portion is about 1.0 mm between detectors; and

the spacing of said detectors in said third portion is about 0.1 mm between detectors.

14. The touch sensitive screen of claim 12, wherein said detectors are capacitive detectors structured to sense a change in capacitance.

15. The touch sensitive screen of claim 14, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said capacitive detectors being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

16. The touch sensitive screen of claim 14, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said capacitive detectors being disposed upon said upper substrate upper, outer surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

17. The touch sensitive screen of claim 14, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said capacitive detectors being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

18. The touch sensitive screen of claim 12, wherein said detectors are optical detectors structured to detect a reflection of light.

19. The touch sensitive screen of claim 18, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said optical detectors being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship; and

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate.

20. The touch sensitive screen of claim 12, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship;

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate;

wherein said second electrode has an aperture pattern so that, when said first electrode and said second electrode are selectively charged, said liquid crystal layer forms defined pixels;

said pixels in said first portion have an aspect ratio of about 30 to 65; and

said pixels in said third portion have an aspect ratio of about 10 to 50.

21. The touch sensitive screen of claim 12, wherein:

said LCD panel includes a lower substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode, and an upper substrate;

said lower substrate having a lower, outer surface and an upper, inner surface;

said first electrode being disposed upon said lower substrate upper, inner surface;

said upper substrate having a lower, inner surface and an upper, outer surface;

said second electrode being disposed upon said upper substrate lower, inner surface;

said lower substrate and said upper substrate disposed in a close, but spaced, relationship;

said liquid crystal layer disposed between said lower substrate and said upper substrate;

wherein said second electrode has an aperture pattern so that, when said first electrode and said second electrode are selectively charged, said liquid crystal layer forms defined pixels;

said pixels in said first portion have an aspect ratio of about 30 to 65; and

said pixels in said third portion have an aspect ratio of about 65 to 98.