Integrated touch screen
AssigneeAtmel Corporation
InventorsDavid Brent Guard, Esat Yilmaz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a display stack for a touch-sensitive screen. The display stack comprises a plurality of layers in which a top layer comprises a substantially transparent cover layer. The display stack is configured to display a color image. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor provided within the display stack. The touch sensor comprises a plurality of first conductive electrodes contacting a layer of a subset of the plurality of layers of the display stack. The subset of the plurality of layers is below the substantially transparent cover layer. The touch sensor also includes a plurality of second conductive electrodes contacting a layer of the subset of the plurality of layers.
Claims11
An apparatus comprising:
- a display stack for a touch-sensitive screen, the display stack comprising a plurality of layers in which a top layer comprises a substantially transparent cover layer, the plurality of layers further comprising a first polarizer that is below the substantially transparent cover layer and a second polarizer that is below the substantially transparent cover layer and a liquid crystal layer, the display stack being configured to display a color image;
- and
- a touch sensor within the display stack, the touch sensor comprising:
- a plurality of first conductive electrodes contacting a layer of a subset of the plurality of layers, the subset being below the substantially transparent cover layer;
- and
- a plurality of second conductive electrodes contacting the layer of the subset of the plurality of layers;
- wherein the plurality of first conductive electrodes and the plurality of second conductive electrodes are located between the first polarizer and the second polarizer;
- wherein the display stack is devoid of a polarizing layer between the first and second polarizers;
- wherein the plurality of first conductive electrodes and the plurality of second conductive electrodes are also in contact with the first polarizer;
- and
- wherein:
- the plurality of first conductive electrodes comprise a plurality of drive electrodes;
- the plurality of second conductive electrodes comprise a plurality of sense electrodes;
- and
- the plurality of drive electrodes and the plurality of sense electrodes are also in contact with a same side of the first polarizer.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first polarizer disposed as a lower layer of a display stack for a touch-sensitive screen, the first polarizer being configured to polarize light from a light source prior to that light reaching a liquid crystal layer of the display stack, the liquid crystal layer located above the first polarizer in the display stack;
- a substantially transparent cover layer disposed as a top layer of the display stack, the substantially transparent cover layer being configured to receive a touch input;
- a second polarizer disposed between the first polarizer and the substantially transparent cover layer;
- a touch sensor located in the display stack between the first polarizer and the cover layer;
- wherein a plurality of electrodes of the touch sensor are located between the first polarizer and the second polarizer;
- wherein the display stack is devoid of a polarizing layer between the first and second polarizers;
- wherein the plurality of electrodes of the touch sensor are in contact with the second polarizer;
- and
- wherein:
- the plurality of electrodes of the touch sensor comprise a plurality of drive electrodes and a plurality of sense electrodes;
- and
- the plurality of drive electrodes and the plurality of sense electrodes are also in contact with a same side of the second polarizer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.