Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent touch screen construction that includes a pattern of layer stacks disposed on a substrate. The layer stacks each include a transparent conductor layer and an intermediate layer positioned between the substrate and the transparent conductor layer. The intermediate layer has a refractive index that is lower than that of the transparent conductor layer and that of the substrate. The construction of the layer stacks reduces the difference in visible light transmission between the areas of the substrate covered by the stacks and the areas of the substrate left exposed by the stacks. Also disclosed are methods for reducing the visibility of a patterned transparent conductor in a touch screen by disposing an intermediate layer pattern between a substrate and a transparent conductor pattern, the intermediate layer pattern and transparent conductor pattern being coincident.

Abstract: The present invention provides a touch screen that includes a pattern of transparent conductors as touch sensing elements, and that has a layered construction configured to reduce the visibility of the transparent conductor pattern. The construction includes a coating covering a substrate, the transparent conductor pattern disposed on the coating, and a filler material covering and contacting the transparent conductor pattern and the areas of the coating not covered by the transparent conductor pattern, where the index of refraction of the filler material is less than the index of refraction of the substrate and less than the index of refraction of the transparent conductor pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides touch panels and touch panel substrates that include spacer dots comprising a nanocomposite material. The present invention also provides methods of ink jet printing spacer dots for touch panel applications. The spacer dots and methods of making spacer dots can lead to spacers that have good durability, have controllable sizes, shapes, and spacings, and have desirable optical properties.

Abstract: A sensing system and a method of sensing are disclosed. The system includes a film that self-generates a signal in response to an external agent that is applied to a location on the film. The system further includes a sensor that is configured to detect the self-generated signal at a plurality of positions on the film to determine the location where the external agent is applied to the film.

Abstract: A resistive touch panel including a base layer is disclosed. The touch panel includes a resistive layer covering the active area of the touch panel. The touch panel also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed to induce a voltage gradient across the resistive layer. The touch panel also includes a linearization pattern comprising a plurality of resistors disposed over at least a portion of the resistive layer for maintaining the uniformity of the voltage gradient across the resistive layer. The touch panel also includes an insulator covering a least a portion of the linearization pattern. The insulator reduces changes in the voltage gradient over time. A method of making a resistive touch screen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system may include a display panel for display of information. The display system may also include a touch screen coupled to the display panel. The touch screen may include a base layer physically coupled to a cover layer. The touch screen may also include a semi-rigid conductor for electrically coupling the base layer to the cover layer. The conductor may be generally dispensable at about room temperature. A touch screen including a semi-rigid conductor for electrically coupling a base to a cover is also disclosed. A touch screen having a first and second means for providing an electrically conductive material is also disclosed. A connector may electrically couple the first means to the second means and may be generally dispensable at about room temperature. A method of manufacturing a touch screen is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides touch panels and touch panel substrates that include spacer dots comprising a nanocomposite material. The present invention also provides methods of ink jet printing spacer dots for touch panel applications. The spacer dots and methods of making spacer dots can lead to spacers that have good durability, have controllable sizes, shapes, and spacings, and have desirable optical properties.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive spacer coating for a touch screen may include a silicone adhesive material dissolved in a solvent. A touch screen may also include a first layer including a first conductive coating, a second layer including a second conductive coating, and a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A method of manufacturing a touch screen may include providing a first layer having a first translucent conductive surface. The method may also include providing a second layer having a second translucent conductive surface. The method may also include applying an adhesive solution including silicone on at least one of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The touch screen can be an analog or a matrix resistive touch screen. The adhesive can be applied by screen printing. The adhesive can be mixed with a slow evaporating solvent before screen printing.

Abstract: Analog resistance touch switches and matrix type touch switches have contacts coated with a very thin film, which in use does not form an appreciable amount of an insulating oxide, to inhibit changes in contact resistance and extend operating life.

Abstract: A method for producing electrical membrane panels including spaced conductive circuits on separate plastic film layers in which the membrane panels are formed on webs of the plastic films laminated together, and individual membrane panels are severed from the combined webs after being formed thereon.

Abstract: Flexible heater panels comprising a light transmitting film substrate and a transparent conductive layer vacuum deposited on the substrate formed of (1) a light transmitting flexible plastic film substrate and (2) a vacuum deposited transparent conductive layer on a surface of the substrate selected from the group consisting of (i) a single lamina of tin oxide or indium tin oxide, (ii) a first lamina of indium oxide on the surface of the substrate and a second lamina of indium tin oxide over the first lamina, or (iii) a first lamina of tin oxide, indium oxide or indium tin oxide on the surface of the substrate, a second lamina of silver, platinum or palladium or alloys thereof over the first lamina, and a third lamina of tin oxide, indium oxide or indium tin oxide over the second lamina.

Abstract: A flexible shielded connector is made by depositing a cover shield layer onto a base shield layer so as to provide direct mechanical and electrical contact along the side edge seams of the two shield layers. A metallic base shield layer is applied to a flexible substrate and a base layer of insulating material is applied on top of an interior area of the base shield layer. Side edge areas of the base shield layer on each side of the interior area are left exposed. At least one conductor is applied over the base insulating layer and a cover layer of insulating material is applied over the conductor, also leaving the side edge areas of the top of the base shield layer on each side of the interior area exposed. A metallic cover shield layer is then deposited over the cover layer of insulating material and extends over the side edge areas of the top of the base shield layer so as to envelope the base and cover layers of insulating material and the conductor by the base and cover shield layers.

Abstract: An undercoating for the vacuum deposition of material thereover that can be removed from a substrate by washing with water for one minute or less comprising a water soluble film-forming polymer, a solubility accelerator and a solid particulate material that provides a rough surface topology to the undercoating when dried.

Abstract: An undercoating for the vacuum deposition of material thereover that can be removed from a substrate by washing with water for one minute or less comprising a water soluble film-forming polymers, a solubility accelerator and a solid particulate material that provides a rough surface topology to the undercoating when dried.

Abstract: A capacitance membrane switch (1) including first (64,68), second (52,58) and third capacitor plates (44-48) wherein the third capacitor plates consist of conductive adhesive.