Transparent touch-screen capacitor with micro-wire electrode

Abstract

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.