TRANSPARENT TOUCH-SCREEN CAPACITOR WITH MICRO-WIRE ELECTRODE
A touch-screen device includes a transparent dielectric layer. An anisotropically conductive first electrode extends in a first length direction over the substrate and an anisotropically conductive second electrode having a second length direction is formed under the substrate. The anisotropically conductive first and second electrodes each include a plurality of electrically connected micro-wires, including parallel straight micro-wires extending in the corresponding first and second length directions and angled micro-wires formed at a non-orthogonal angle to the straight micro-wires. The angled micro-wires electrically connect the straight micro-wires so that the anisotropically conductive first and second electrodes each have a greater electrical conductivity in the corresponding first and second length directions than in another anisotropically conductive electrode direction.
1 . A pattern of micro-wires forming an anisotropically conductive electrode extending in a length direction, comprising:
a plurality of electrically connected micro-wires formed in a micro-pattern; and
wherein the micro-pattern has three or more substantially parallel straight micro-wires extending substantially in the length direction for the length of the electrode and additionally only a plurality of angled micro-wires formed at a non-orthogonal angle to the straight micro-wires electrically connecting the straight micro-wires so that the anisotropically conductive electrode has a greater electrical conductivity in the length direction than in a direction different from the length direction.
2 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the angled micro-wires are substantially parallel.
3 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein at least one angled micro-wire has a width less than at least one of the straight micro-wires.
4 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein each second micro-wire has a width less than any of the widths of the first micro-wires.
5 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent angled micro-wires are spaced apart by a distance greater than the spacing between any two adjacent straight micro-wires.
6 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein the straight micro-wires have a common first width or wherein the angled micro-wires have a common second width.
7 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein adjacent straight micro-wires are substantially equally spaced apart or wherein adjacent angled micro-wires are substantially equally spaced apart.
8 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the angled micro-wires is electrically connected to only two adjacent straight micro-wires.
9 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the straight or angled micro-wires have substantially straight line segments.
10 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the straight micro-wires are substantially parallel.
11 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first or second micro-wires has a width of greater than or equal to 0.5 μm and less than or equal to 20 μm.
12 . A touch-screen, comprising:
a transparent substrate;
an anisotropically conductive electrode extending in a length direction over or on the transparent substrate, the anisotropically conductive electrode including a plurality of electrically connected micro-wires formed in a micro-pattern; and
wherein the micro-pattern has three or more substantially parallel straight micro-wires extending substantially in the length direction for the length of the electrode and additionally only a plurality of angled micro-wires formed at a non-orthogonal angle to the straight micro-wires electrically connecting the straight micro-wires so that the anisotropically conductive electrode has a greater electrical conductivity in the length direction than in a direction different from the length direction.
13 . The touch-screen of claim 12 , wherein the transparent substrate is a dielectric layer.
14 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 12 , wherein at least two of the angled micro-wires are substantially parallel or wherein at least two of the straight micro-wires are substantially parallel.
15 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 12 , wherein at least one angled micro-wire has a width less than at least one of the straight micro-wires.
16 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 12 , wherein each second micro-wire has a width less than any of the widths of the first micro-wires.
17 . The pattern of micro-wires of claim 12 , wherein at least two adjacent angled micro-wires are spaced apart by a distance greater than the spacing between any two adjacent straight micro-wires.
18 . The touch-screen of claim 12 , wherein the transparent substrate is a cover or substrate of a display device.
19 . A touch-responsive capacitive device, comprising the touch-screen of claim 12 and a display located to emit, transmit, or reflect light through the touch-screen.
20 . The touch-responsive capacitive device of claim 19 , wherein the display includes a substrate or cover through which light is emitted or reflected and wherein the anisotropically conductive electrode is formed on the substrate or cover.