Seung Hee Hong

US Patent:

7918019, Apr 5, 2011

Filed:

Jan 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/351767

Inventors:

Shih Chang Chang - Cupertino CA, US
John Z. Zhong - Cupertino CA, US
Lili Huang - San Jose CA, US
Seung Jae Hong - San Jose CA, US
Lynn Youngs - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 3/10

US Classification:

29846, 29830, 29831, 29842, 427466, 427496, 427331, 156247

Abstract:

A method for fabricating thin DITO or SITO touch sensor panels with a thickness less than a minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. In one embodiment, a sandwich of two thin glass sheets is formed such that the combined thickness of the glass sheets does not drop below the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment when thin film process is performed on the surfaces of the sandwich during fabrication. The sandwich may eventually be separated to form two thin SITO/DITO panels. In another embodiment, the fabrication process involves laminating two patterned thick substrates, each having at least the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. One or both of the sides of the laminated substrates are then thinned so that when the substrates are separated, each is a thin DITO/SITO panel having a thickness less than the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment.

US Patent:

8593410, Nov 26, 2013

Filed:

Jul 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/500911

Inventors:

Seung Jae Hong - San Jose CA, US
Martin Paul Grunthaner - San Francisco CA, US
Steven Porter Hotelling - San Jose CA, US
Lynn Youngs - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 3/045
G06F 3/044

US Classification:

345173, 345174, 178 1801, 178 1806

Abstract:

A touch sensor panel including a plurality of drive lines crossing a plurality of sense lines, forming an array. The plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines are formed by interconnecting sections of at least one conductive material having a truncated diamond shape or formed of interconnected conductive lines. At least one conductive dummy region may be disposed in an area of the touch sensor panel around the truncated diamond shape sections or interconnected conductive lines of the plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines. One or more lines may be formed overlapping the interconnected sections of each of the plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines.

US Patent:

8603574, Dec 10, 2013

Filed:

Nov 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/940544

Inventors:

Lili Huang - San Jose CA, US
Seung Jae Hong - Sunnyvale CA, US
John Z. Zhong - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 3/00

US Classification:

427162, 427 982, 349159

Abstract:

A method of forming a curved touch surface is disclosed. The method can include depositing and patterning a conductive thin film on a flexible substrate to form at least one touch sensor pattern, while the flexible substrate is in a flat state. According to certain embodiments, the method can include supporting the flexible substrate in the flat state on at least one curved forming substrate having a predetermined curvature; and performing an anneal process, or an anneal-like high-heat process, on the conductive thin film, wherein the anneal process can cause the flexible substrate to conform to the predetermined curvature of the at least one curved forming substrate. According to an embodiment, the curved forming substrate can include a first forming substrate having a first predetermined curvature and a second forming substrate having a second predetermined curvature complementing the first predetermined curvature.

US Patent:

20100323166, Dec 23, 2010

Filed:

Jun 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/488432

Inventors:

Shih Chang CHANG - Cupertino CA, US
Lili HUANG - San Jose CA, US
Seung Jae HONG - San Jose CA, US
John Z. ZHONG - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

B32B 3/10
B05D 5/12

US Classification:

428172, 427 58, 428203

Abstract:

Substantially transparent conductor layers in touch sensing systems may be formed by forming a barrier layer between an organic layer and a substantially transparent conductive layer. For example, a barrier layer can be formed over the organic layer, and the transparent conductor layer can be formed over the barrier layer. The barrier layer can reduce or prevent outgassing of the organic layer, to help increase the quality of the transparent conductor layer. In another example, a combination layer of two different types of a transparent conductor may be formed over the organic layer by forming a barrier layer of the transparent conductor, and forming a second layer of the transparent conductor on the barrier layer. Outgassing that can occur when forming the barrier layer can cause the transparent conductor of the barrier layer to be of lower-quality, but can result in a higher-quality transparent conductor of the second layer.

US Patent:

20110030209, Feb 10, 2011

Filed:

Oct 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/908763

Inventors:

Shih Chang CHANG - San Jose CA, US
John Z. Zhong - Cupertino CA, US
Lili Huang - San Jose CA, US
Seung Jae Hong - Sunnyvale CA, US
Lynn Youngs - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

H05K 3/10

US Classification:

29847

Abstract:

A method for fabricating thin DITO or SITO touch sensor panels with a thickness less than a minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. In one embodiment, a sandwich of two thin glass sheets is formed such that the combined thickness of the glass sheets does not drop below the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment when thin film process is performed on the surfaces of the sandwich during fabrication. The sandwich may eventually be separated to form two thin SITO/DITO panels. In another embodiment, the fabrication process involves laminating two patterned thick substrates, each having at least the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. One or both of the sides of the laminated substrates are then thinned so that when the substrates are separated, each is a thin DITO/SITO panel having a thickness less than the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment.

US Patent:

20110298730, Dec 8, 2011

Filed:

Sep 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/895825

Inventors:

Seung Jae Hong - Sunnyvale CA, US
Lili Huang - Cupertino CA, US
John Z. Zhong - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/041
G03B 27/32
H01H 11/00

US Classification:

345173, 29622, 355 27

Abstract:

Improved techniques are disclosed for fabrication of touch panels using thin sheet glass. Thin touch sensor panels each having a thickness of substantially less than approximately one-half millimeter can be produced. A thin mother glass sheet having a thickness of substantially less then approximately one half millimeter can be used. A thin film can be coupled to a surface of the thin mother glass sheet, and the thin film can be photolithographically patterned, while avoiding breakage of the thin mother glass sheet. The thin mother glass sheet can be singulated into the thin touch sensor panels.

US Patent:

20130068505, Mar 21, 2013

Filed:

Sep 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/233978

Inventors:

Seung Jae Hong - Sunnyvale CA, US
Casey J. Feinstein - San Jose CA, US
Lili Huang - San Jose CA, US
Sunggu Kang - San Jose CA, US
Kuo-Hua Sung - San Jose CA, US
John Z. Zhong - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

H05K 1/00
B05D 3/00
H05K 3/00
B05D 5/12

US Classification:

174250, 427 58, 29829

Abstract:

Methods for chemically strengthening the edges of glass sheets are provided. Voids can be formed in a mother sheet. The edges of these voids may correspond to a portion of the new edges that would normally be created during separation and free shaping of the mother sheet. The mother sheet can then be immersed in a chemical strengthener. The edges of the voids can be chemically strengthened in addition to the front and back sides of the mother sheet. After thin film processing and separation, each of the resulting individual sheets has been chemically strengthened on both sides and on a portion of its edges.

US Patent:

20130100039, Apr 25, 2013

Filed:

Oct 20, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/278048

Inventors:

Seung Jae HONG - Sunnyvale CA, US
Sunggu KANG - San Jose CA, US
Martin Paul GRUNTHANER - Mountain View CA, US
John Z. ZHONG - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/041
B32B 37/14
H05K 3/00

US Classification:

345173, 156 60, 156151

Abstract:

A touch sensitive device that includes a touch sensor having an opaque passivation layer is disclosed. The opaque passivation layer can be made from an organic or inorganic material, such as acrylic. The opaque passivation layer can be positioned in the touch sensitive device between the cover material of the device and conductive traces located on the touch sensor to hide the conductive traces from the user's view and protect the conductive traces from corrosion. Processes for making the touch sensitive devices that include a touch sensor having an opaque passivation layer are also disclosed.