# US 6,280,552 B1 · Method of applying and edge electrode pattern to a touch screen and a decal for a touch screen > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,280,552 B1 - Document ID: US6280552B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/365,100 - Filed: 1999-07-30 - Granted: 2001-08-28 - Earliest claimed: 1999-07-30 - Assignees: Microtouch Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Frank J. Bottari - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6280552B1 ## CPC - G06F 3/045: using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact - H05K 3/207: {using a prefabricated paste pattern, ink pattern or powder pattern} - H05K 3/28: Applying non-metallic protective coatings {(H05K3/0091 takes precedence; methods for intermediate insulating layers for build-up multilayer circuits H05K3/4673)} - H05K 2201/0284: Paper, e.g. as reinforcement - H05K 2201/09436: Pads or lands on permanent coating which covers the other conductors - H05K 2203/0531: Decalcomania, i.e. transfer of a pattern detached from its carrier before affixing the pattern to the substrate - Y10S 428/914: Transfer or decalcomania - Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing - Y10T 428/24777: Edge feature - Y10T 428/24917: including metal layer - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method of applying an edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel including printing an edge electrode pattern on decal paper; applying a cover coat over the electrode pattern; removing the decal paper; and transferring the edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel. A decal to be used in accordance with this method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of applying an edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel, the method comprising: depositing an edge electrode pattern on a decal layer; applying a cover coat over the electrode pattern; removing the decal layer; and transferring the edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the step of depositing the edge electrode pattern on the decal layer includes printing the edge electrode pattern on the decal layer around the perimeter thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 in which printing includes the use of conductive ink. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the step of applying a cover coat includes the use of acrylic lacquer material as the cover coat. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the decal layer is paper with a starch coating on at least one surface thereof and the step of depositing includes disposing the edge electrode pattern on the starch coated surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the decal layer is paper with a wax coating on at least one surface thereof and the step of depositing includes disposing the edge electrode pattern on the wax coated surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 in which the step of removing the decal layer includes dissolving the starch coating and removing the cover coat and edge electrode pattern from the decal layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 in which the step of removing the decal layer includes melting the wax coating and removing the cover coat and edge electrode pattern from the decal layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the step of transferring includes placing the cover coat and edge electrode pattern on the touch screen and heating the touch screen to burn off the cover coat and to bond the electrode pattern to the touch screen pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further including the deposition of conductive lands over the decal layer before the cover coat is applied. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 in which the step of depositing the conductive lands includes printing an insulative layer over selected portions of the edge electrode pattern and printing conductive lands on the insulative layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 in which the insulative layer is a dielectric material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further includes applying at least one of a noise shield layer and a protective layer over the conductive lands before the cover coat is applied. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 in which transferring includes placing the cover coat and the insulative layer on the touch screen panel and heating the touch screen panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 in which the step of depositing the conductive land includes printing an insulative border layer on the decal layer proximate the edge electrode pattern and printing the conductive lands on the insulative border layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 in which the step of transferring includes placing the cover coat on the touch screen panel with the edge electrode pattern located peripherally on one surface of the touch screen and folding the insulative border layer on to an opposite surface of the touch screen panel to locate the conductive lands peripherally about the opposite surface of the touch screen panel. ### Claim 17 A method of applying a conductive edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel, the method comprising: depositing a conductive edge electrode pattern on a decal layer; applying a cover coat over the conductive edge electrode pattern; removing the decal layer; and transferring the conductive edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel. ### Claim 18 A method of applying an edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel, the method comprising: depositing an edge electrode pattern on a decal layer; applying a cover coat over the edge electrode pattern; removing the decal layer; and transferring the edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel. ### Claim 19 A method of applying an edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel, the method comprising: depositing an edge electrode pattern on a decal layer; assembling the decal layer on a touch screen panel; and applying heat and pressure to the decal layer to transfer the edge electrode pattern to the touch screen panel. ### Claim 20 A method of applying an edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel, the method comprising: depositing an edge electrode pattern on a decal layer; applying a cover coat over the electrode pattern; removing the decal layer; transferring the edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel; and heating the touch screen to bond the electrode pattern to the touch screen pattern. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 in which the decal layer is a heat transfer decal and the step of depositing includes depositing the edge electrode pattern printed with an ink on the heat transfer decal layer. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 in which the step of removing the decal layer includes placing the ink side down on the touch screen and, using a silicone heated pad or roller, transferring the pattern to the touch screen. ### Claim 23 A method of applying an edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel, the method comprising: depositing a conductive compound in the pattern of edge electrodes on a decal layer; applying a cover coat over the edge electrode pattern; removing the decal layer; transferring the edge electrode pattern to a touch screen panel with an insulative substrate and a resistive layer thereon, such that the edge electrode pattern is disposed on the resistive layer about the periphery of the panel; and heating the panel until the conductive compound fuses into the resistive layer and becomes in intimate electrical contact with the resistive layer forming an electrical and mechanical bond with the resistive layer.