Abstract: Processes for making a transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating on its outer surface are disclosed to provide a faceplate such as for attachment to a screen for a cathode ray tube or other display device. Preferably, the coating has a thickness of less than about 3 microns and/or a gloss less than about 80 gloss units. The method includes spraying a precursor solution onto the substrate to form a preliminary coating, at least partially densifying that preliminary coating, spraying another coating of precursor solution onto the preliminary coating, and firing the coating to form a diffuser surface coating. Alternately, a precursor solution of an inorganic metal oxide dissolved in an organic solvent is sprayed on the substrate and fired at a temperature within the range of from about 250° C. to about 600° C. to form the diffuser surface coating.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

Abstract: A conductively coated panel for inclusion in a transparent interactive input device useful with an electro-optic display includes a transparent substrate having a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface. The conductive layer is applied in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. A transparent layer of a metal oxide such as silicon dioxide overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. An interactive device, and a method for forming an interactive device with the conductively coated panel, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, or as a substrate for an information display device such as a liquid crystal display, incorporates a transparent, rigid substrate formed from cyclic olefin copolymer which is lightweight, dimensionally stable, stiff, durable and abrasion, break and flex resistant. The interactive information device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed.

Abstract: A reduced glare, conductive coated panel having increased visible light transmission and suitable for use as a touch screen, digitizer panel or a substrate in an information display includes a transparent substrate, one or more thin film interference layers forming a thin film stack on each of the opposite surfaces of the substrate, and a transparent, electrically conductive coating on the outermost layer of one or both of the thin film stacks. The method preferably includes dipping the substrate in a solution of a precursor for the thin film material at an angle to the vertical and the surface of the solution such that the layer of one side of the substrate has a thickness different from that on the opposite side, curing the layers, and applying the transparent electrically conductive coating thereover.

Abstract: This invention is a substrate with a protective multicomponent coating, and a method for forming such a substrate by the steps of applying a coating solution to the substrate, and firing the substrate at a temperature greater than 450° C., where the coating solution includes a coating solvent; a SiO2 precursor being a silicon compound having at least one hydrolyzable group; a glass oxide precursor being a compound of an element selected from Group III or Group IV of the periodic table; and a network modifier precursor being a compound of an element selected from Group I or Group II of the periodic table. The invention is also related to the coating solution employed in the method of the invention.

Abstract: A transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating on its outer surface forms a faceplate for attachment to a screen for a cathode ray tube or other display device. The coating has a gloss less than about 80 gloss units, and the substrate may include an index matching adhesive/medium for attaching said faceplate to a cathode ray tube screen. The diffuser surface coated substrate is bendable, overcoatable with functional coatings such as transparent conductor coatings, abrasion resistant, and generally serviceable for its intended use.

Abstract: A transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating on its outer surface forms a faceplate for attachment to a screen for a cathode ray tube or other display device. The coating has a preferred resolution of at least about 3 lines per millimeter, and the substrate may include an index matching adhesive/medium for attaching said faceplate to a cathode ray tube screen. The diffuser surface coated substrate is bendable and overcoatable with functional coatings such as transparent conductor and/or abrasion resistant coatings. Alternately, the diffuser surface coating may be applied over such functional coatings which are applied to the substrate.

Abstract: A transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating on its outer surface forms a faceplate for attachment to a screen for a cathode ray tube or other display device. The coating has a preferred thickness of less than about 3 microns, and the substrate may include an index matching adhesive/medium for attaching said faceplate to a cathode ray tube screen. The diffuser surface coated substrate is bendable and overcoatable with functional coating such as transparent conductor and/or abrasion resistant coatings.