Capacitive Switch Patents (Class 200/600)
  • Publication number: 20130285945
    Abstract: Provided are a touch sensing panel and a touch sensing panel for detecting multiple touches, including a first conductive trace formed along a first axial direction, a second conductive trace formed along a second axial direction intersecting the first axis, and an auxiliary conductive trace electrically connected to the second conductive trace, and formed along the first axial direction. An interpolation effect of a touched input moving in a horizontal direction may be expected, and an accuracy and linearity of the touched input may be enhanced through the auxiliary conductive trace generating a detected signal so that a dead region with respect to the touched input may be prevented from occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: MELEFAS, INC.
    Inventors: Do Hwan Oh, Dong Jin Min, Dong Yoon Han
  • Publication number: 20130284578
    Abstract: The invention describes a capacitive information carrier in which at least one electrically conductive touch structure is arranged on an electrically non-conductive substrate. The invention also comprises a system and method for acquiring information, consisting of a capacitive information carrier, a capacitive area sensor, a contact between the two elements and interaction which makes the touch structure of the information carrier evaluable for a data processing system connected to the area sensor and can trigger events associated with the information carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: PRINTECHNOLOGICS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Foerster, Andre Kreutzer, Jan Thiele, Sascha Voigt, Thoralt Franz
  • Publication number: 20130277194
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a touch panel including: a transparent substrate; an electrode formed on the transparent substrate; and a visibility reducing layer having a width smaller than that of the electrode and interposed between the electrode and the transparent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youn Soo Kim, Ho Joon Park, Seung Min Lee, Ha Yoon Song, Sang Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20130277193
    Abstract: A capacitive touch sensitive device includes a matrix of pads patterned in a first electrically conductive material on a substrate. Horizontally adjacent pads within each even row of the matrix are electrically coupled to one another via channels to form a plurality of horizontally arranged electrodes. Insulators are positioned over respective channels. Conductive links are formed over respective insulators and are configured to electrically couple vertically adjacent pads between odd rows of the matrix to form a plurality of vertically arranged electrodes. The dimensions of the channels and the conductive links are configured such that an RC time-constant (RCtc) of each of the vertically arranged electrodes substantially matches an RCtc of each of the horizontally arranged electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Kyu-Tak Son
  • Publication number: 20130278544
    Abstract: A touch-responsive capacitive apparatus includes means for defining first and second surfaces, a first micro-wire layer formed on the first surface, the first micro-wire layer including a plurality of electrically connected first micro-wires, a second micro-wire layer formed on the second surface, the second micro-wire layer including a plurality of electrically connected second micro-wires, and a polarizing dielectric structure located between the first and second micro-wire layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: RONALD STEVEN COK
  • Publication number: 20130277197
    Abstract: A capacitive touch panel sequentially has a first transparent substrate, a lower touch sensitive layer, a lower conductor layer, a lower insulation layer, a lower conductive adhesive layer, a flexible circuit board, a transparent insulation adhesive laver, an upper insulation layer, an upper conductive adhesive layer, an upper conductor layer, an upper insulation ink layer, an upper touch sensitive layer and a second transparent substrate. The aforementioned structure allows fabrication of the capacitive touch panel to be separated into a lower panel fabrication process and an upper panel fabrication process. The two independent fabrication processes prevent the capacitive touch panel from being damaged in one of the processes when the process is completed, thereby increase the yield in production and further facilitate producing large-size touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: David MI
  • Publication number: 20130278546
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a touch panel, including: a transparent substrate; a first electrode pattern formed on the transparent substrate in a mesh pattern; an insulating layer formed on the transparent substrate; and a second electrode pattern formed on an exposed surface of the insulating layer and having an intersecting area facing the first electrode pattern formed in a mesh pattern and an area other than the intersecting area formed in a surface type. By this configuration, even though the thickness of the insulating layer is thinly manufactured, it is possible to secure the desired touch sensitivity and effectively shield noises occurring from an image display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Jun KIM, Ho Joon PARK
  • Publication number: 20130277196
    Abstract: A capacitive touch panel sequentially has a first glass substrate, a lower touch sensitive layer, a lower insulation ink layer, a lower conductor layer, a lower insulation layer, a lower conductive adhesive layer, a flexible circuit board, a transparent insulation adhesive layer, an upper insulation layer, an upper conductive adhesive laver, an upper conductor layer, an upper insulation ink layer, an upper touch sensitive layer and a second glass substrate. The aforementioned structure allows fabrication of the capacitive touch panel to be separated into a lower panel fabrication process and an upper panel fabrication process. The two independent fabrication processes prevent the capacitive touch panel from being damaged in one of the processes when the process is completed so as to increase the yield in production and further facilitate producing large-size touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: David MI
  • Publication number: 20130277195
    Abstract: A touch sensor is provided. The touch sensor includes a first buffer layer disposed on a substrate, a first electrode layer disposed on the first buffer layer, a second buffer layer disposed on the first electrode layer and a second electrode layer disposed on the second buffer layer and electrically connected with the first electrode layer, wherein the first and second buffer layers are formed of the same material including an insulated metal oxide, and the first and second electrode layers are formed of the same material including a doped metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: CHIA-CHIANG CHANG, Ta-Hsin Chou, Wen-Tung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130270926
    Abstract: The switch housing for capacitive switches has an outer contact surface and flat electrode structures which are arranged on the inside and in a position opposite the contact surface and which are placed by two-component injection molding in recessed regions of the housing body injected from a first, electrically non-conductive plastic component by means of a second, electrically conductive plastic component. Preferably, both plastic components are a polycarbonate, the second plastic component containing carbon fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Koberstein
  • Publication number: 20130270097
    Abstract: Wall mountable touch panels are described. In one embodiment, a wall mountable touch panel for controlling a load device includes a touch sensor configured to receive a user touch input and to control the load device based on the user touch input and a power interface configured to receive a low-voltage direct current (DC) power signal for powering the touch sensor. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Aeon Labs
    Inventor: Winston Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130270098
    Abstract: A touch panel that not only demonstrates little deterioration of performance even in harsh environments at high temperature and high humidity, but is also free of the occurrence of a whitening phenomenon occurring during sudden changes in temperature and humidity, while also having superior shock resistance. A conductive laminate in which a uniform or arbitrarily patterned conductive layer containing a polythiophene-based conductive agent and an adhesive layer containing an acidic component are in direct contact over the entire surface or a portion thereof, and a touch panel in which it is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Masayo Maeda, Yohei Nakamura, Junya Kojima, Aiko Gondo
  • Publication number: 20130270095
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide improved sensor devices and methods that facilitate improved sensor devices. Specifically, the devices and methods provide capacitive image sensors that require only two layers of conductive elements formed on a single substrate. The ability to provide an image sensor using only a single substrate with two layers of conductive elements may substantially reduce the cost and complexity of the capacitive image sensor. In one embodiment, an input device is provided that comprises a first substrate having a first and second side. Each of the second array of second sensor electrodes comprises a plurality of isolated components disposed on the first side and a plurality of connectors disposed on the second side. The connectors and isolated components of the second sensor electrodes are arranged such that adjacent pairs of connectors along the first direction are separated by a distance substantially greater than the first pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tai-Wei Yau, Yeh-Cheng Tan
  • Publication number: 20130270096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an microelectromechanical system (1) comprising: a base (15) comprising a substrate (20) and a substrate electrode (40); a moveable beam (30); a voltage generator (10) able to generate a potential difference between the beam (30) and the substrate electrode (40); and at least one mechanical stop (70) connected to the beam and designed to make contact with the base (15) when a potential difference is applied between the beam (30) and the substrate electrode (40), thereby defining an air-filled cavity (80) between the beam (30) and the substrate electrode (40), characterized in that it furthermore comprises an electrical-charge blocking element (50) placed on the substrate (20), said element facing the at least one mechanical stop (70) and being electrically connected to the beam (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Pierre Blondy, Stanis Courreges, Arnaud Pothier, Jean-Christophe Orlianges
  • Publication number: 20130264183
    Abstract: A capacitive touch unit includes a transparent substrate, a polymeric transparent substrate, a second conductive layer and an adhesive layer. The transparent substrate is coated with at least one first conductive layer and is correspondingly attached to the polymeric transparent substrate. The second conductive layer is selectively disposed on one of two sides of the polymeric transparent substrate. The adhesive layer is disposed between the transparent substrate and the polymeric transparent substrate. By means of the capacitive touch unit, the thickness can be greatly reduced and the manufacturing cost can be greatly lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Lin
  • Publication number: 20130264184
    Abstract: A capacitive touch device includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate and an adhesive layer connecting the first and second transparent substrates with each other. The first transparent substrate has a first side and a second side. A first conductive layer is disposed on the second side. The second transparent substrate has a third side and a fourth side. A second conductive layer is selectively disposed on the third side or the fourth side. The adhesive layer is disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. By means of the design of the capacitive touch device, the thickness of the touch device is greatly reduced and the manufacturing cost is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Lin
  • Publication number: 20130256111
    Abstract: Electrodes on a touch sensor are connected with pins of an integrated circuit by wires. The wires connecting a first side of the integrated circuit go under the integrated circuit to the electrodes, and wires connecting a second side of the integrated circuit have segments extending away from the touch sensor under the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: CHIN-FU CHANG
  • Publication number: 20130256112
    Abstract: The control unit, in particular for a vehicle component, is provided with a manually actuable control element (12) for selecting and optionally for activating a control function, wherein the control element (12) can be moved manually into a selection and/or trigger position for selecting and optionally for activating a control function. In addition, the control unit has a capacitive tactile sensor (41) for identifying manual touching contact with the control element (12) and optionally identifying the event of a hand approaching the control element (12), wherein the tactile sensor (41) has a first and a second electrode (38, 40), which have electrode sides which substantially face one another and are spaced apart from one another. The first electrode (38) is arranged on the control element (12). The second electrode (40) is arranged immovably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Winfried Fust, Frank Vogt
  • Publication number: 20130248345
    Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: INK-LOGIX, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald H. Haag, Jeffrey R. Engel, William W. Boddie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130248344
    Abstract: A user interface includes a touch surface substrate, a graphic layer, a touch sensor disposed on a circuit carrier associated with the rear side of the touch surface substrate, and a light source associated with the rear side of the circuit carrier. The circuit carrier defines an aperture through which light emanating from the light source can pass. This light also passes through the graphic layer and is visible at the front side of the touch surface substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas R. Stilwell
  • Publication number: 20130241860
    Abstract: The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Michael Ciesla, Micah B. Yairi, Nathaniel Mark Saal
  • Publication number: 20130241688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a layer structure comprising at least one switch (4) illuminated by an ACPEL arrangement (2), to the method for producing and shaping said layer structure, and the use thereof for forming display and control elements and for forming housing elements for mobile or stationary electronic equipment or small or large household appliances or for forming keyboard systems without movable components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: INK-LOGIX, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kunz, Thomas Bernert, Wilfried Hedderich
  • Publication number: 20130240342
    Abstract: An electrode unit on a touch-sensing element includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a first conductive element; and a plurality of second conductive elements extending from the first conductive element in directions in parallel with a first direction within a specific range. The second electrode includes a third conductive element and a plurality of fourth conductive elements extending from the third conductive element in directions in parallel with a second direction within a specific range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Raydium Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Sheng-Fu Wang
  • Publication number: 20130241689
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent conductive film in which occurrence of scratches during sliding is suppressed even when transparent conductive layer forming surfaces are so arranged as to face each other. Provided is a transparent conductive film comprising a transparent film base; at least one dielectric layer formed on a first main surface of the transparent film base; and a transparent conductive layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the transparent conductive layer is patterned; and the surface on the first main surface of the transparent conductive film has an arithmetical mean roughness Ra of 22 nm or more, and has 140/mm2 or more of protrusions having heights of 250 nm or higher at a pattern-opening part in which the transparent conductive layer is not formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakajima, Tomotake Nashiki, Hideo Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20130240341
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a substrate and sensing units. Each sensing unit includes an electrode line, first electrode patterns, second electrode patterns and connecting lines. The electrode line extends along a second direction and has first openings arranged along the second direction and first breaches corresponding to the first openings. Each first breach connects the corresponding first opening and the exterior of the electrode line. The first electrode patterns are respectively disposed in the first openings. Each first electrode pattern has a second opening and a second breach connecting the second opening and the exterior of first electrode pattern. The second electrode patterns are respectively disposed in the second openings and respectively connected with the electrode line through the second breaches. The connecting lines are disposed on at least one side of the electrode line and connected with the corresponding first electrode pattern through the first breach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pi-Lin Lo, Yen-Cheng Lin, Yi-Fan Hsueh, Te-Mu Chen
  • Patent number: 8530766
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an in-cell touch panel embedded into the flat panel display devices. The present disclosure suggests an in-cell touch panel for flat panel display device comprising: a transparent substrate; a routing part having a conductive material formed on an inner side of the transparent substrate; a plurality of sensor lines running to a first direction on the inner side of the transparent substrate; a plurality of driving lines that each driving line has a plurality of segments running to a second direction between the sensor lines; a first insulating layer covering the sensor lines and the driving lines; a connecting part linking the segments of the driving line to the second direction; and a second insulating layer covering the whole surface of the transparent substrate having the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Howon Choi
  • Publication number: 20130228441
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a transparent plate, an upper substrate having an upper surface situated on a lower surface of the transparent plate and stacked on the transparent plate in a downward direction, an upper conductive layer provided between the lower surface of the transparent plate and the lower surface of the upper substrate, a lower substrate having an upper surface situated on the lower surface of the upper substrate and stacked on the upper substrate in the downward direction, and a lower conductive layer provided between the lower surface of the upper substrate and the upper surface of the lower substrate and facing the upper conductive layer across the upper substrate. The upper surface of the transparent plate has a dome shape projecting upward on a cross section in a first direction perpendicular to the downward direction and on a cross section in a second direction perpendicular to the downward direction and the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi SANTO, Hideaki ETO, Takuma BESSHI, Tsutomu YAHAGI
  • Publication number: 20130228442
    Abstract: Processes for fabricating compact touch sensors for touch sensitive devices are disclosed. A process can include providing a touch sensor structure having a substrate, a first layer disposed on the substrate, and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer can have an ablation fluence value that is lower than an ablation fluence value of the first layer. The process can include patterning the second layer with a laser emitting energy having a fluence value greater than or equal to the ablation fluence value of the second layer and less than the ablation fluence value of the first layer. The process can further include etching at least a portion of the first layer that was exposed during the patterning of the second layer. At least a portion of the second layer can then be removed by etching or laser ablation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Siddharth Mohaptatra, Sunggu Kang, John Z. Zhong
  • Publication number: 20130222316
    Abstract: A key structure in an electronic product includes a housing. The key structure includes a pressing portion, a printed circuit board (PCB), a key, and a sensor. The key and the sensor are both located on the PCB and electronically connected with each other. When the pressing portion is pressed, the key structure acts as a mechanical key. When the pressing portion is simply touched, the key structure acts as a touch key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130222325
    Abstract: A touch-responsive capacitive apparatus includes a transparent substrate having electrically connected first pad micro-wires and electrically connected first interstitial micro-wires formed in a first micro-wire layer. The first pad micro-wires are electrically connected to the first interstitial wires. Electrically connected second pad micro-wires and electrically connected second interstitial micro-wires are formed in a second micro-wire layer. The second pad micro-wires are electrically connected to the second interstitial wires. The first or second micro-wire layers are supported by the transparent substrate and pairs of first and second pad areas define corresponding touch-responsive capacitors. A first interstitial micro-pattern is dissimilar from a first pad micro-pattern or a second interstitial micro-pattern is dissimilar from a second pad micro-pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: RONALD Steven COK
  • Publication number: 20130222282
    Abstract: This invention discloses a structure of wet-coating transparent conductive film and the application thereof. The wet-coating transparent conductive film comprises a substrate layer, and a transparent conductive layer. The wet-coating transparent conductive film can further comprise an index matching layer between the substrate layer and the transparent conductive layer. The index matching layer and the transparent conductive layer can be formed by wet-coating process. Preferably, the mentioned wet-coating transparent conductive film can be widely applied in touch control module or touch control displaying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: FAR EASTERN NEW CENTURY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiao-Ning Huang, Yu-Ling Chen, Tsui-Chi Chen, Jong-Hsiang Lu, Chien-Cheng Chang, Yu-Chun Chien
  • Patent number: 8519281
    Abstract: An input device includes a thin film substrate on which a fixed electrode is formed, and a movable electrode formed of a conductive material, the fixed electrode including a capacitance detection electrode and a connection section, the movable electrode including a displacement section that is disposed to be opposite to the capacitance detection electrode and deformed by a pressing force, and a stationary section that is connected to the connection section, the input device detecting a change in capacitance that occurs when the displacement section has been pressed. The input device has a reduced thickness, and can be inexpensively produced by reducing the number of parts. Moreover, the input device can be easily incorporated in an electronic instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Masanori Mizushima
  • Patent number: 8519291
    Abstract: A control device for an electrical appliance has a control panel wherein a plurality of capacitive sensor elements for a capacitive proximity switch are arranged under the control panel and are arranged in a continuous row, in order to form an elongated slider for operation by application of a finger and drawing the finger over them. The sensor elements are all identical and have a rectangular shape, wherein they are each arranged with one of their first sides facing one another and with all of their sides parallel to one another. They are aligned in the same way with respect to the continuous row, wherein the first sides are rotated through an angle of between 46° and 75° to form the row along which the sensor elements are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Randolf Kraus, Andreas Kleinhans
  • Publication number: 20130213789
    Abstract: A layout method of a touch panel electrode includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a first electro-conductive layer, having pattern blocks disposed adjacently to one another, on one side of the substrate, wherein the first electro-conductive layer is transparent; forming an alignment film on the one side of the substrate; forming an second electro-conductive layer, having wires to be connected to at least one of the pattern blocks, on the one side of the substrate; and forming a protection layer on the second electro-conductive layer to protect the second electro-conductive layer. The present invention can reduce the processes of manufacturing the conventional electrode, especially do not needs to form another electro-conductive layer and another protection layer on the other side of the substrate, and can effectively prevent the electrostatic charge effect and increase the capacitance and sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Li-Li Fan
  • Publication number: 20130213788
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a light-transmittable first conductive layer and a light-transmittable second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer with a predetermined gap between the conductive layers. At least one of the first and second conductive layers contains light-transmittable resin, metal filaments dispersed in the resin, and materials absorbing light reflected by the metal filaments. The touch panel allows a display of a display element on a rear surface to be easily viewed and is operated reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: PANASONIC CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8514545
    Abstract: An article of manufacture having an in-molded capacitive switch and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a conductive ink sensing zone is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ink-Logix, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald H. Haag
  • Publication number: 20130206569
    Abstract: A capacitive switch is comprises a sensor area and with a reference surface in which the sensor surface and the reference surface are configured to produce an electric field (E) between them. The sensor surface and the reference surface are arranged substantially in a common plane such that an electrical field (E) is formed between them with an arched line of force. A coupling surface is configured to move in a plurality of directions in space with respect to the sensor surface and reference surface. A lighting element is configured to illuminate the capacitive switch when activated. A tactile feedback device provides feedback as the capacitive switch is being actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL KFT.
    Inventor: FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL KFT.
  • Publication number: 20130206566
    Abstract: A capacitive touch device includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate and an adhesive layer connecting the first and second transparent substrates with each other. The first transparent substrate has a first side and a second side. A first conductive layer is disposed on the second side. The second transparent substrate has a third side and a fourth side. A second conductive layer is selectively disposed on the third side or the fourth side. The adhesive layer is disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. By means of the design of the capacitive touch device, the thickness of the touch device is greatly reduced and the manufacturing cost is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Lin
  • Publication number: 20130206568
    Abstract: A touch panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a first sensing layer, a second sensing layer, and a plurality of spacers is provided. The second substrate is parallel to and opposite to the first substrate in a top-bottom manner. The first sensing layer is disposed on the first substrate and located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second sensing layer is disposed on the second substrate. The spacers are located between the first sensing layer and the second sensing layer, and the spacers includes a plurality of movable first spacers and a plurality of second spacers fixed on the second substrate, wherein each of the first spacers is surrounded by a portion of the second spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicants: WINTEK CORPORATION, Dongguan Masstop Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hua Wu, Cheng-Yi Chou, Chih-Yuan Wang, Ting-Yu Chang, Ching-Fu Hsu, Hsiao-Hui Liao
  • Publication number: 20130206570
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a polymer thick film conductive composition that may be used in applications where thermoforming of the base substrate occurs, e.g., as in capacitive switches. Polycarbonate substrates are often used as the substrate and the polymer thick film conductive composition may be used without any barrier layer. Thermoformable electric circuits benefit from the presence of an encapsulant layer over the dried polymer thick film conductive composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventor: E I Du Pont De Nemours And Company
  • Publication number: 20130206567
    Abstract: A touch panel is provided that includes: a substrate; a plurality of X-axis lines disposed on the substrate; a plurality of Y-axis lines crossing the plurality of X-axis lines; and an insulating layer interposed between the X-axis lines and the Y-axis lines, in which at least one first X-axis line and at least one second X-axis line selected from among the plurality of X-axis lines are connected by a first connection portion, and among the plurality of Y-axis lines, a Y-axis line crossing the first X-axis line and the second X-axis line has a first area in a region where the Y-axis line overlaps the first X-axis line and a second area in a region where the Y-axis line overlaps the second X-axis line, and the first area and the second area are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-Ki HONG, Seung Ho NAM, Chul KIM, Hyun-Ju LEE
  • Patent number: 8506826
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch system (600, 700) includes etching each of a plurality of base circuit layers (425) and a plurality of passive component substrate layers (412, 418, 42, 426). The method continues with laser milling of a first dielectric film (406) to create a spacer layer (405). A metal cladding (402, 403) formed on a flexible dielectric film layer 404 is etched so as to form a plurality of switch component features. Further laser milling is performed with respect to the flexible dielectric film layer to form at least one switch structure (448, 450). Thereafter, a stack (400) is assembled which is comprised of the spacer layer disposed between the flexible dielectric film layer and the plurality of base circuit layers. Additional layers can also be included in the stack. When the stack is completed, heat and pressure are applied to join the various layers forming the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20130199915
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a touch sensor is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of electrodes on a first substrate. The plurality of electrodes are configured to form a plurality of capacitive nodes. Each capacitive node is configured to sense touch of an object proximate a touch sensing area of the substrate. The method further includes compressing together a plurality of conductive pads at least in part by applying a resin in liquid form to a first substrate, the resin being applied under pressure. A first one of the plurality of conductive pads had been formed on the first substrate. A second one of the plurality of conductive pads had been formed on a second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: David Brent Guard
  • Publication number: 20130199916
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to expandable electrodes and/or components that are expandable and/or flexible during, prior to, and/or after the manufacture of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Takashi Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20130194759
    Abstract: A touch sensor may be formed from a flexible substrate such as a sheet of polymer. The flexible substrate may have a main rectangular portion and a protruding portion. Capacitive touch sensor electrodes may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible substrate. Signal lines may be coupled to the touch sensor electrodes. The ends of the signal lines may extend onto the protruding portion. Signal lines may be formed on upper and lower surfaces of the flexible substrate. The signal lines may be coupled to circuitry on a printed circuit using a connector that receives the end of the protruding portion. Ground structures on the protruding portion may be configured to overlap the signal lines or may be laterally interposed between upper surface signal lines and lower surface signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Sunggu Kang, John Z. Zhong
  • Publication number: 20130180841
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate, each with drive or sense electrodes of a touch sensor disposed on it. The drive or sense electrodes are made of a conductive mesh of conductive material. The apparatus also includes a first adhesive layer between the drive or sense electrodes of the first substrate and the drive or sense electrodes of the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Esat Yilmaz, David Brent Guard
  • Publication number: 20130175153
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a thin capacitive touch panel that includes a plurality of conductive strips, a surface glass and a hydrophobic material. The conductive strips include a grid consisting of a plurality of crisscrossed first conductive strips arranged in parallel and second conductive strips arranged in parallel. The surface glass is overlaid on the conductive strips with a thickness of less than 0.7 mm. In addition, the hydrophobic material is coated on a surface of the surface glass, forming a hydrophobic surface. When moisture is left on the hydrophobic surface after a finger sweep, the moisture is divided into a plurality of water particles by the hydrophobic surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: CHIN-FU CHANG
  • Publication number: 20130175154
    Abstract: Disclosed is a touchscreen panel sensor film with alignment marks or product information assigned thereto, this sensor film being formed so as to improve in post-processing accuracy. The touchscreen panel sensor film 70 according to this invention includes a transparent base film 32 and a transparent electrical conductor pattern provided on at least one surface of the base film 32, and achieves the improvement of post-processing accuracy by having alignment marks 71, 73, 74, 76, 77 or product information 78, 79 in a non-active area on the sensor film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130168222
    Abstract: The invention features a conducting system which when attached to an object, the system converts the object into input device used to input functions on a touch screen device. The system features a material having an active capacitive layer with an antenna design which stores an electrical charge that is substantially similar to a human's body capacitance. Additional layers may be provided for attaching the material and protecting the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Alice Ning
  • Publication number: 20130168220
    Abstract: A touch device is provided in the present disclosure, wherein the touch device comprises: a protection cover having a sensing area and a peripheral area surrounding the sensing area; a first mask layer disposed in the peripheral area surrounding the sensing area; a second mask layer disposed in the peripheral area surrounding the first mask layer, wherein the area of the second mask layer is bigger than that of the first mask layer; and a sensing electrode layer having a sensing portion located in the sensing area and an extension portion extending from the sensing area to the peripheral area, wherein the extension portion is disposed on the first mask layer. Moreover, a method for manufacturing the touch device described above is also provided in the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Kwan-Sin Ho, Shousheng Yu, Maolin Liao, Hao Zhang