公开(公告)号：US10754066B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-25

申请号：US14884677

申请日：2015-10-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Chun-Hao Tung ,  Qian Zhao ,  Sunggu Kang ,  John Z. Zhong

IPC: G02B1/115 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G02B5/00 ,  G02F1/1333 ,  G02F1/1335

Abstract: A display may have an active area in which pixels display images through a transparent display layer. An opaque masking material may be formed in an inactive border area adjacent to the active area. The opaque masking layer may include particles such as carbon black particles to provide the opaque masking layer with a dark appearance. The color of the opaque masking layer may be adjusted by incorporating additional particles such as titanium oxide particles. Particle size for the carbon black particles and the index of refraction of the opaque masking layer may be adjusted to reduce reflectance in the inactive border area. A transparent conductive layer may be supported by the transparent display layer. Index-of-refraction matching layers may be interposed between the transparent conductive layer and the transparent display layer. The opaque masking layer may be interposed between the matching layers in the inactive border area.

公开(公告)号：US20190096364A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-28

申请号：US15713308

申请日：2017-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Ove Lyngnes ,  Tingjun Xu ,  Avery P. Yuen ,  Christopher M. Dodson ,  Tianbo Sun ,  Xianwei Zhao ,  Xingxing Cai ,  Sunggu Kang

IPC: G09G5/10 ,  G02B27/30 ,  G02B5/02

CPC classification number: G09G5/10 ,  G02B5/0221 ,  G02B5/0242 ,  G02B5/045 ,  G02B5/122 ,  G02B5/208 ,  G02B5/22 ,  G02B5/28 ,  G02B27/30 ,  G09G2320/0626 ,  G09G2360/144

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may have an array of pixels that form an active area and may have an inactive area that runs along an edge of the active area. An opaque layer may be formed on an inner surface of a display cover layer in the inactive area of the display or may be formed on another transparent layer in the electronic device. An ambient light sensor window may be formed from the opening and may be aligned with color ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may have an integrated circuit with photodetectors. Ambient light passing through the ambient light sensor window may be diffused by a light diffuser having one or more light-diffusing layers. Diffused ambient light may be collimated using a light collimator having one or more light-collimating layers such as layers with inwardly facing protrusions.

公开(公告)号：US20170242506A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-24

申请号：US15435649

申请日：2017-02-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Dhaval C. Patel ,  Eugene C. Cheung ,  Pey-Jiun Ko ,  Po-Jui Chen ,  Robert W. Rumford ,  Steve L. Terry ,  Wei Lin ,  Xiaofan Niu ,  Xiaoqi Zhou ,  Yi Gu ,  Yindar Chuo ,  Rasmi R. Das ,  Steven M. Scardato ,  Se Hyun Ahn ,  Victor H. Yin ,  Wookyung Bae ,  Christopher L. Boitnott ,  Chun-Hao Tung ,  Mookyung Son ,  Sunggu Kang ,  Nathan K. Gupta ,  John Z. Zhong

IPC: G06F3/044

Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.

公开(公告)号：US20170075465A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-16

申请号：US14851579

申请日：2015-09-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James E. Pedder ,  Sunggu Kang ,  David J. Meyer ,  John Z. Zhong

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/045

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  G06F2203/04105

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more transparent strain sensors configured to detect strain based on an amount of force applied to the electronic device, a component in the electronic device, and/or an input surface of the electronic device. The one or more transparent strain sensors may be included in or positioned below an input surface that is configured to receive touch inputs from a user. The area below the input surface can be visible to a user when the user is viewing the input surface. The one or more transparent strain sensors are formed with a nanostructure, including a nanomesh or nanowires.

Abstract translation: 电子设备包括一个或多个透明应变传感器，其被配置为基于施加到电子设备的力量，电子设备中的部件和/或电子设备的输入表面来检测应变。 一个或多个透明应变传感器可被包括在输入表面的下方，或者被配置为接收来自用户的触摸输入。 当用户正在观看输入表面时，输入表面下方的区域对用户可见。 一个或多个透明应变传感器由纳米结构形成，包括纳米线或纳米线。

公开(公告)号：US20160248051A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-25

申请号：US15042453

申请日：2016-02-12

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tingjun Xu ,  Xianwei Zhao ,  Wookyung Bae ,  Sunggu Kang ,  John Z. Zhong

IPC: H01L51/56 ,  H01L27/32 ,  H01L51/52

CPC classification number: H01L51/524 ,  C23C14/081 ,  C23C14/5813 ,  G02F1/133308 ,  G02F2001/133331

Abstract: An electronic device may have a display that is protected by a transparent cover layer. The transparent cover layer may include a laser-annealed sapphire coating on the outer surface of a glass substrate or other transparent substrate. The sapphire coating may provide the display with a hard, scratch-resistant outer surface. The sapphire coating may be formed by coating a glass substrate with a thin film of amorphous aluminum oxide. The aluminum oxide thin film may be locally heated to transform the amorphous aluminum oxide into alpha-phase aluminum oxide (sapphire). Local heating may be achieved by laser annealing the aluminum oxide coating with a carbon dioxide laser. The laser may produce laser light having a wavelength that is absorbed in the aluminum oxide coating without being absorbed by the glass substrate so that the glass substrate is not damaged during the laser annealing process.

Abstract translation: 电子设备可以具有由透明覆盖层保护的显示器。 透明覆盖层可以在玻璃基板或其他透明基板的外表面上包括激光退火的蓝宝石涂层。 蓝宝石涂层可以为显示器提供硬的耐划伤的外表面。 可以通过用无定形氧化铝薄膜涂覆玻璃基板来形成蓝宝石涂层。 可以局部加热氧化铝薄膜以将无定形氧化铝转变成α相氧化铝（蓝宝石）。 可以通过用二氧化碳激光器对氧化铝涂层进行激光退火来实现局部加热。 激光器可以产生具有在氧化铝涂层中吸收的波长的激光，而不被玻璃基板吸收，使得在激光退火过程中玻璃基板不被损坏。

公开(公告)号：US09382614B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-05

申请号：US14479207

申请日：2014-09-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John Z. Zhong ,  Sunggu Kang ,  Wookyung Bae

IPC: C23C14/34 ,  H01J37/34 ,  C23C14/58

CPC classification number: C23C14/5873 ,  C23C14/564 ,  C23C14/5846 ,  H01J37/32449 ,  H01J37/32853 ,  H01J37/32871 ,  H01J37/3476 ,  H01J37/3488

Abstract: Sputter deposition systems and methods for depositing film coatings on one or more substrates are disclosed. The systems and methods are used to prevent or reduce an amount of defects within a deposited film. The methods involve removing defect-related particles that are formed during a deposition process from certain regions of the sputter deposition system and preventing the defect-related particles from detrimentally affecting the quality of the deposited film. In particular embodiments, methods involve creating a flow of gas from a deposition region to a particle collection region the sputter deposition system such that the defect-related particles are entrained within the flow of gas and away from the deposition region. In particular embodiments, the sputter deposition system is a meta-mode sputter deposition system.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于在一个或多个基底上沉积膜涂层的溅射沉积系统和方法。 系统和方法用于防止或减少沉积膜内的缺陷量。 所述方法包括去除在溅射沉积系统的某些区域的沉积过程期间形成的缺陷相关颗粒，并防止缺陷相关颗粒不利地影响沉积膜的质量。 在具体实施方案中，方法包括从沉积区域到溅射沉积系统的颗粒收集区域产生气体流，使得缺陷相关颗粒被夹带在气体流中并远离沉积区域。 在特定实施例中，溅射沉积系统是元模式溅射沉积系统。

公开(公告)号：US09292141B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-22

申请号：US14067810

申请日：2013-10-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John Z. Zhong ,  Sunggu Kang ,  James Edward Alexander Pedder ,  Chun-Hao Tung

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  B32B2457/208 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F2203/04103

Abstract: Compact touch sensors for touch sensitive devices and processes for forming the touch sensors are disclosed. The touch sensor structure can include a substrate, one or more underlying layers disposed on the substrate, one or more blocking layers disposed on the substrate or on one or more underlying layers, and one or more patterned layers disposed on the underlying layers or blocking layers. The one or more blocking layers can be configured to block underlying layers from exposure to certain wavelengths of light or from penetration of a laser beam that can cause damage. Additionally, the one or more underlying layers can be multi-functional, including the ability to block one or more light sources.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于触敏装置的紧凑型触摸传感器和用于形成触摸传感器的工艺。 触摸传感器结构可以包括衬底，设置在衬底上的一个或多个下层，设置在衬底上或一个或多个下层上的一个或多个阻挡层，以及设置在下面的层或阻挡层上的一个或多个图案层 。 一个或多个阻挡层可以被配置为阻挡下面的层暴露于某些波长的光或者可能导致损伤的激光束的穿透。 另外，一个或多个下层可以是多功能的，包括阻挡一个或多个光源的能力。

公开(公告)号：US20150212614A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-30

申请号：US14166817

申请日：2014-01-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Cheng Chen ,  Masato Kuwabara ,  Sunggu Kang ,  John Z. Zhong

IPC: G06F3/044 ,  H01B13/00

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G02B5/3033 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  G06F2203/04111

Abstract: A polarizer integrated with conductive material and a process for forming a polarizer integrated with conductive material are disclosed. A polarizer can be integrated with conductive material to form a portion of a touch sensor panel. In one example, a layer of conductive film forming either the row or column traces can be patterned on a surface of a substrate in the polarizer. In another example, the layer of conductive film can be patterned on a viewing angle compensation film of the polarizer. One or more of the polarizer's polarizing layer, protective substrates or viewing angle compensation film can act as a dielectric between the conductive material forming the rows and column traces in the stack-up. As a result, the clear polymer spacer acting as a dielectric in touch panels can be removed, reducing the thickness of the touch screen stack-up.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种与导电材料集成的偏振片和用于形成与导电材料集成的偏振片的工艺。 偏振器可以与导电材料集成以形成触摸传感器面板的一部分。 在一个示例中，可以在偏振器中的基板的表面上图案化形成行迹或列迹线的导电膜层。 在另一示例中，可以在偏振器的视角补偿膜上图案化导电膜层。 偏振片的偏振层，保护基板或视角补偿膜中的一个或多个可以作为在叠层中形成行和列迹线的导电材料之间的电介质。 结果，可以去除作为触摸面板中的电介质的透明聚合物间隔物，减少触摸屏叠层的厚度。

公开(公告)号：US20150077646A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-19

申请号：US14028878

申请日：2013-09-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Jinghong Chen ,  Matthew S. Rogers ,  Cheng Chen ,  Enkhamgalan Dorjgotov ,  Sunggu Kang ,  Kai Wang ,  Kuo-Hua Sung

IPC: G06F1/16

CPC classification number: G06F1/1643 ,  G06F3/0418

Abstract: An electronic device may have a touch screen display or other input-output device that includes transparent conductive electrodes. The transparent conductive electrodes may be formed from a material that has a relatively high index of refraction such as indium tin oxide. Surrounding layers of the touch screen display such as a touch sensor substrate and an underlying display layer may have lower index of refraction values. To prevent abrupt index-of-refraction discontinuities that lead to unwanted reflections and visible artifacts on the display, the transparent conductive electrodes may be embedded within a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer may have a graded index of refraction. The graded index of refraction may be varied continuously or in a stepwise fashion by adjusting the composition of materials that are incorporated into the dielectric layer as a function of position within the layer.

Abstract translation: 电子设备可以具有包括透明导电电极的触摸屏显示器或其它输入 - 输出设备。 透明导电电极可以由具有较高折射率的材料形成，例如氧化铟锡。 诸如触摸传感器基板和底层显示层的触摸屏显示器的周围层可以具有较低的折射率值。 为了防止在显示器上导致不想要的反射和可见伪影的突然折射不连续性，透明导电电极可以嵌入在电介质层内。 电介质层可以具有渐变的折射率。 渐变的折射率可以通过调节作为层中位置的函数的结合到介电层中的材料的组成而连续地或以逐步的方式变化。

公开(公告)号：US20140070824A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-13

申请号：US13710233

申请日：2012-12-10

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Siddharth MOHAPATRA ,  Sunggu Kang ,  John Z. Zhong ,  Albert Lin

IPC: G01R35/00

CPC classification number: G01R35/00 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  H05K3/0097 ,  H05K3/02 ,  Y10T29/49117 ,  Y10T29/49124 ,  Y10T29/49204 ,  Y10T29/49815

Abstract: Roll-to-roll processes for manufacturing touch sensors on a plastic base film are provided. The touch sensors can be deposited on the base film using various patterning techniques. One or more shorting bars can also be patterned onto the base film to couple together traces, such as drive lines, sense lines, conductive traces, and the like, of the touch sensor to prevent a potential difference from forming between traces due to static buildup during the manufacturing process. After the touch sensor is fully formed on the base film, the touch sensor can be removed from the base film using lithography or a physical cutting process. The removal process can separate the touch sensor from the one or more shorting bars, thereby uncoupling the traces of the touch sensor.

Abstract translation: 提供了在塑料基膜上制造触摸传感器的卷对卷工艺。 可以使用各种图案化技术将触摸传感器沉积在基膜上。 也可以将一个或多个短路棒图案化到基膜上以将触摸传感器的迹线（例如驱动线，感测线，导电迹线等）耦合在一起，以防止由于静电积累而在迹线之间形成潜在差异 在制造过程中。 在基底膜上完全形成触摸传感器之后，可以使用光刻或物理切割工艺从触摸传感器移除触摸传感器。 移除过程可以将触摸传感器与一个或多个短路棒分开，从而使触摸传感器的迹线分离。