US 12,366,942 B2
Touch screen sensor
Matthew H. Frey, Cottage Grove, MN (US); Michael J. Robrecht, Shorewood, WI (US); and George F. Jambor, Burlington, WI (US)
Assigned to 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jul. 23, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/780,909.
Application 15/929,543 is a division of application No. 16/288,651, filed on Feb. 28, 2019, granted, now 10,691,275, issued on Jun. 23, 2020.
Application 18/780,909 is a continuation of application No. 18/381,392, filed on Oct. 18, 2023, granted, now 12,093,490.
Application 18/381,392 is a continuation of application No. 18/178,845, filed on Mar. 6, 2023, granted, now 11,822,750, issued on Nov. 21, 2023.
Application 18/178,845 is a continuation of application No. 17/872,190, filed on Jul. 25, 2022, granted, now 11,620,024, issued on Apr. 4, 2023.
Application 17/872,190 is a continuation of application No. 16/949,548, filed on Nov. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,429,231, issued on Aug. 30, 2022.
Application 16/949,548 is a continuation of application No. 15/929,543, filed on May 8, 2020, granted, now 10,860,147, issued on Dec. 8, 2020.
Application 16/288,651 is a continuation of application No. 16/143,557, filed on Sep. 27, 2018, granted, now 10,620,767, issued on Apr. 14, 2020.
Application 16/143,557 is a continuation of application No. 16/105,030, filed on Aug. 20, 2018, granted, now 10,114,516, issued on Oct. 30, 2018.
Application 16/105,030 is a continuation of application No. 16/043,778, filed on Jul. 24, 2018, granted, now 10,101,868, issued on Oct. 16, 2018.
Application 16/105,030 is a continuation of application No. 16/043,799, filed on Jul. 24, 2018, granted, now 10,126,901, issued on Nov. 13, 2018.
Application 16/043,778 is a continuation of application No. 15/351,695, filed on Nov. 15, 2016, granted, now 10,078,408, issued on Sep. 18, 2018.
Application 16/043,799 is a continuation of application No. 15/351,695, filed on Nov. 15, 2016, granted, now 10,078,408, issued on Sep. 18, 2018.
Application 15/351,695 is a continuation of application No. 14/174,199, filed on Feb. 6, 2014, granted, now 9,823,786, issued on Nov. 21, 2017.
Application 14/174,199 is a continuation of application No. 13/590,523, filed on Aug. 21, 2012, granted, now 8,704,799, issued on Apr. 22, 2014.
Application 13/590,523 is a continuation of application No. 12/393,194, filed on Feb. 26, 2009, granted, now 8,274,494, issued on Sep. 25, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/032,273, filed on Feb. 28, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/032,269, filed on Feb. 28, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2024/0377912 A1, Nov. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. G06F 3/044 (2006.01); C23F 1/02 (2006.01); C23F 1/14 (2006.01); G01R 27/26 (2006.01); G06F 3/041 (2006.01); G06F 3/045 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 3/044 (2013.01) [C23F 1/02 (2013.01); C23F 1/14 (2013.01); G01R 27/2605 (2013.01); G06F 3/045 (2013.01); G06F 3/0412 (2013.01); G06F 2203/04108 (2013.01); G06F 2203/04112 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrically conductive micropattern patterned to define a mesh in a viewing area of the micropattern and a plurality of second traces in a non-viewing area of the micropattern, the mesh patterned to define a plurality of electrically conductive mesh electrodes, each of the mesh electrodes comprising a plurality of first traces having a first width and intersecting one another to define a plurality of enclosed open areas, the mesh electrode electrically connected to a corresponding second trace in the plurality of second traces, the second trace electrically connected to an electrically conductive pad for making electrical contact with an electronic device, at least a portion of the second trace having a second width greater than the first width, wherein for each of the mesh electrodes, the first traces and the corresponding second trace and the electrically conductive pad include a same metal at approximately a same thickness, and wherein the mesh is further patterned to define one or more third traces disposed to increase an optical uniformity of the viewing area of the micropattern.