Patent ID: 8518277
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: B23K,C09K,C23F,G06F,H01L,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method of removing portions of a conductive layer disposed at a plastic substrate used for capacitive touchscreen devices, said method comprising: providing a plastic substrate having a conductive layer disposed on a surface thereof, wherein said conductive layer comprises at least one of a transparent conductive material and a metallic material; doping at least one region of said conductive layer; applying an etchant paste to portions of said conductive layer including said at least one doped region removing portions of said conductive layer at said surface of said plastic substrate by performing a thermal processing step to thermally activate said etchant paste to etch said conductive layer at a temperature below a glass transition temperature of said plastic substrate to establish a pattern of electrically isolated conductive portions on said surface of said plastic substrate; rinsing said etched substrate to wash off said etchant paste and said etched conductive layer from the plastic substrate; and electrically connecting said conductive portions to a touchscreen controller, wherein said touchscreen controller is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of an object at or near said surface of said plastic substrate responsive to a detected change in capacitance.