Abstract: A method of removing portions of a conductive layer comprising a transparent conductive material and/or a metallic material disposed on a plastic substrate used for capacitive touchscreen devices includes providing a plastic substrate having a conductive layer disposed on a surface thereof and removing portions of the conductive layer at the surface of the plastic substrate to establish a pattern of electrically isolated conductive portions on the surface of the plastic substrate. The conductive portions or traces are electrically connected to a touchscreen controller, which is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of an object at or near the surface of the plastic substrate responsive to a detected change in capacitance. The removal process may comprise etching or laser ablating portions of the conductive layer at the surface of the plastic substrate.
Abstract: A touch screen and method for manufacturing a touch screen includes a transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The transparent substrate has a first transparent conductive layer disposed on the first surface. A cover sheet is spaced from the substrate by a plurality of spacer elements and has a second transparent conductive layer coated at a surface of the cover sheet and opposed to the first transparent conductive layer. An electromagnetic interference shield is disposed at the second surface of the transparent substrate. The electromagnetic interference shield includes a third transparent conductive layer.
Abstract: A touch sensor includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate. The transparent conductive layer is disposed in a pattern so that the transparent conductive layer includes a plurality of discrete conductive pads, with the pads being conductively connected to at least one connecting region of the substrate via respective conductive traces. The pads are associated with respective buttons of a display device disposed at the substrate, such that the user may touch or approach the substrate and pads at selected areas in response to the displayed buttons as viewed by the user through the pads and substrate.