US 12,443,064 B2
Electro-optic element with integrated capacitive touch screen functionality
Robert R. Turnbull, Holland, MI (US); and Xiaoxu Niu, Holland, MI (US)
Assigned to GENTEX CORPORATION, Zeeland, MI (US)
Filed by Gentex Corporation, Zeeland, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/237,761.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/401,382, filed on Aug. 26, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0069373 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. G02F 1/1333 (2006.01); G02F 1/1343 (2006.01); G02F 1/155 (2006.01); G02F 1/163 (2006.01); G06F 3/041 (2006.01); G06F 3/044 (2006.01)
CPC G02F 1/13338 (2013.01) [G02F 1/13439 (2013.01); G02F 1/155 (2013.01); G02F 1/163 (2013.01); G06F 3/0416 (2013.01); G06F 3/044 (2013.01); G02F 2202/28 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electro-optic element comprising:
an electrochromic medium;
a first electro-optic conductive layer that is substantially transparent disposed to one side of the electrochromic medium;
a second electro-optic conductive layer disposed to another side of the electrochromic medium;
a capacitive touchscreen conductive layer disposed on an opposite side of the first electro-optic conductive layer as the electrochromic medium, the capacitive touchscreen conductive layer comprising a pattern and being substantially transparent;
a capacitive touchscreen insulating layer disposed between the capacitive touchscreen conductive layer and the first electro-optic conductive layer; and
electrical circuitry configured (i) to drive the capacitive touchscreen conductive layer and at least one of the first electro-optic conductive layer and the second electro-optic conductive layer together with substantially in-phase alternating current (AC) voltage and, simultaneously with (i), (ii) to provide an input DC voltage difference between the first electro-optic conductive layer and the second electro-optic conductive layer that is substantially constant through all points in time of a sampled period of time for a set level of optical transmission through the electrochromic medium.