Conductive lens

A method and system for a conductive lens. In one method embodiment, the present invention forms a silver flash layer on a lens. A polyester sheet is then applied over the silver flash layer. Openings are utilized in the polyester sheet to expose an edge portion of the silver flash layer. A conductive bus layer is then applied around the edges of the lens, the conductive bus providing an electrical coupling between the silver flash layer and the conductive bus. In so doing, a lens that is visually transparent but electromagnetic interference (EMI) opaque is formed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present claimed invention relates to the field of lenses. Specifically, the present claimed invention relates to a conductive lens.

BACKGROUND ART

Many devices use display screens to present information to a user. Some of the display screens are liquid crystal displays (LCD's) or the like, which are easily scratched, damaged, or tampered with. For example, an automatic teller machine (ATM) may be accessed by hundreds of users each day. During one or more of the accesses, the display screen on the ATM may be poked, touched, scratched, or worse, and that is just an ATM. In another example, a device having a display screen may be a mobile device which is transported from location to location. Such a mobile device has the opportunity to be dropped, fumbled, bumped, other objects falling onto it, or the like. Therefore, in both cases (e.g., device is stationary or mobile), there is a need to protect the display screen from the harsh effects of both accidental wear-and-tear as well as malicious behavior.

Therefore, most display screens utilize a protective lens cover for the display screen which protects the screen against most blunt or sharp trauma damages. For example, a cover may allow an object up to a predetermined weight to be dropped on the display without incurring major damage. Additionally, the display screen cover may protect a mobile device from damage if it is dropped from a certain height.

However, in addition to damage caused to the display screen, there is also a matter of damage caused by the display screen (or the components operating thereunder). For example, if a user is operating a device having a display screen in an electronic environment, or an environment with restrictions related to electromagnetic fields, it is important that any electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted by the display screen, or the components operating thereunder, be blocked. For example, if an electronic device having a display screen is used by a laboratory (or bomb squad, or radio tower, or aircraft, or vehicle, or patient with a pacemaker, or the like) the effects of electricity or electric fields caused by EMI leakage from the instrument may incur serious errors or repercussions.

Therefore, a need exists for a display cover which protects the underlying display from damage while also reducing the EMI output from the screen or the underlying components.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a method and system for a conductive lens. In one method embodiment, the present invention forms a silver flash layer on a lens. A polyester sheet is then applied over the silver flash layer. Openings are utilized in the polyester sheet to expose an edge portion of the silver flash layer. A conductive bus layer is then applied around the edges of the lens, the conductive bus providing an electrical coupling between the silver flash layer and the conductive bus. In so doing, a lens that is visually transparent but electromagnetic interference (EMI) opaque is formed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now toFIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary conductive lens assembly100is shown. The following discussion will begin with a detailed description of the physical characteristics of the present conductive lens assembly100. The discussion will then contain a detailed description of the use and operation of the present conductive lens assembly100. Referring now to the physical characteristics of the present conductive lens assembly100, in one embodiment, conductive lens assembly100includes a lens102. In one embodiment, lens102is a polycarbonate lens which is used to provide a layer of protection for a display screen (e.g., an LCD). For example, lens102has a greater damage, scratch, or tamper resistance in comparison to an LCD display screen. In addition, lens102may be much less expensive than the display screen it is protecting. Therefore, if serious damage does occur to the lens102, replacement of the lens102will be much less cost prohibitive than replacement of the display screen. Although a polycarbonate lens is used in one embodiment, the lens102may be a plastic or glass optical lens.

Conductive lens assembly100also includes a silver flash layer104. In one embodiment, silver flash layer104is transparent. Silver flash layer104is also conductive. Therefore, when silver flash layer104is formed on lens102, the lens becomes conductive. In one embodiment, the silver flash layer104is applied to the inner surface of the lens102with any of the plurality of methods of silver flash application, which are well known in the art.

With reference still toFIG. 1, conductive lens assembly100also includes a polyester sheet106. In general, polyester sheet106may be any clear plastic sheet capable of being a hermetic barrier. In one embodiment, polyester sheet106is a polyester laminate. In one embodiment, polyester sheet106has a thickness of 3 to 5 millimeters. Although a specific thickness is stated herein, polyester sheet106may be thicker or thinner depending on the hermetic seal requirements. In general, polyester sheet106is applied over silver flash layer104with the use of an adhesive. In general, the adhesive may be any adhesive capable of holding the polyester sheet106to the silver flash layer104. In one embodiment, the adhesive is a high temperature adhesive capable of withstanding 70 degrees Celsius. and 95 percent humidity for 16 hours. Polyester sheet106is used to provide a hermetic seal over silver flash layer104such that oxidation of silver flash layer104does not occur.

Conductive lens assembly100also includes openings formed in the polyester sheet106. In one embodiment, the openings108are formed prior to applying polyester sheet106over the silver flash layer104. In another embodiment, the openings108are formed after applying polyester sheet106over the silver flash layer104. In one embodiment, there are pluralities of openings108on each side of polyester sheet106. The openings108may also be holes in the polyester sheet106which are not notches (e.g., openings set back from the edge of the polyester sheet106). In yet another embodiment, the polyester sheet106is smaller than the dimensions of the lens102and the openings are formed because the smaller polyester sheet106leaves a gap around the edges of the lens102.

Referring still toFIG. 1, conductive lens assembly100also includes a conductive bus110. In general, conductive bus110is a conductive ink (e.g., carbon ink). In one embodiment, conductive bus110is a silver ink screen printed onto the conductive lens assembly100. Conductive bus110is applied around the edges of the conductive lens assembly100. Conductive bus110may be applied by any means well known in the art (e.g., airbrush, spray on, or the like). In one embodiment, conductive bus110is placed up to 5 millimeters from the edge of the conductive lens assembly100. Although 5 millimeters is mentioned herein, the conductive bus110may be placed any distance from the edge of the conductive lens assembly100up to the viewing window opening.

With reference now toFIG. 2, a side view of a portion of an exemplary installed conductive lens assembly is shown. For purposes of clarity, only a portion of the complete installed conductive lens assembly and frame220are shown. In general,FIG. 2includes conductive lens assembly100, a conductive gasket210, and frame220. The frame220may be any substance which may be used as a front panel of a device. In one embodiment, it is an aluminum diecast. In another embodiment, it may be steel, aluminum, titanium, chrome, polymer, plastic, ceramic, or the like which may be cast, pressed, formed, or the like, that provides protection to the device and/or EMI shielding.

The conductive gasket210is used to provide a full electrical conductive path between the frame220and the conductive bus110. In general, the conductive gasket210may be any compressible conductive medium (e.g., metal spring contact fingers, conductive mesh, or the like) which are well known to one in the art. As described herein, the electrical conductive path is ultimately utilized to electrically couple the frame220with the silver flash layer104coating on the conductive lens assembly100. When the electric path is completed, the conductive lens assembly100becomes opaque with regards to electromagnetic interference (EMI). In addition, the offset230in between the conductive lens assembly100and the frame220covered by the conductive gasket210is also EMI shielded.

With reference now toFIG. 3, a side view of an exemplary installed conductive lens assembly is shown. In one embodiment, completed assembly300shows a complete side view of an exemplary conductive lens assembly100installed in a frame220. Specifically,FIG. 3shows the correct orientation of the conductive lens assembly100. That is, the outside of the lens faces front side350and the inside of the lens is toward backside325. For example, a user viewing the lens would look from front side350toward backside325. Therefore, the user would look through the lens in the order: polycarbonate lens102, silver flash layer104, and polyester sheet106. In addition, the route of the electrical path320is shown as it flows through the conductive lens assembly100through the conductive gasket210and through frame220thereby providing complete EMI protection.

With reference now to FIG.4and toFIG. 1, a flow chart400summarizing the steps performed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. At step401, in one embodiment a silver flash layer104is formed on a lens102. As stated herein, the silver flash layer104is transparent to the eye. However, when the silver flash layer104is electrically charged, the silver flash layer104becomes opaque to EMI (e.g., an EMI shield). The silver flash layer104may be formed via a plurality of methods well known in the art.

With reference now to step402of FIG.4and toFIG. 1, in one embodiment, a polyester sheet106is applied over the silver flash layer104. In one embodiment, the polyester sheet106is a polyester laminate. The polyester sheet106provides a hermetic seal over silver flash layer104thereby reducing the effects of the environment (e.g., oxidation, rubbing, scratching, etc.) on the silver flash layer104. As described herein, the polyester sheet106may be applied using a plurality of methods well known in the art. For example, the polyester sheet106may be applied using an adhesive. In one embodiment, the adhesive is a high temperature adhesive capable of withstanding an environment of 70 degree Celsius., 95 percent humidity for 16 hours. In one embodiment, the polyester sheet106is 3 to 5 millimeters thick.

With reference now to step403of FIG.4and toFIG. 1, in one embodiment, openings108in the polyester sheet106are used to expose an edge portion of the silver flash layer104. As described herein, in one embodiment the openings108are rectangular. In another embodiment, the openings108may be any geometric shape (e.g., circular, semi-circular, square, octagonal, or the like.) In one embodiment, the openings108in the polyester sheet106are formed prior to applying the polyester sheet106over the silver flash layer104. In another embodiment, the openings108in the polyester sheet106are formed after applying the polyester sheet106over the silver flash layer104.

With reference now to step404of FIG.4and toFIG. 1, in one embodiment, a conductive bus layer110is applied around the edges of the lens102providing an electrical coupling between the silver flash layer104and the conductive bus110. In one embodiment, the conductive bus110is a printed on silver screen ink. In another embodiment, the conductive bus110is formed by any of a plurality of methods well known in the art. The utilization of the conductive bus110forms a complete conductive lens assembly100. Then, as described herein, a conductive gasket210ofFIG. 2is used for electrically coupling the conductive lens assembly100with a frame220thereby providing an EMI shield. In so doing, a protective lens which provides damage protection (e.g., drop, scratch, tamper, etc.) for the display and also provides EMI shielding, while maintaining optical transparency, is formed.

Thus, the present invention provides a conductive lens method and apparatus which provides an EMI opaque visually transparent conductive lens. The present invention also provides a conductive lens method and apparatus which achieves the above accomplishment and which protects a display from damage due to scratching, tampering, or the like. The present invention further provides a conductive lens method and apparatus which achieves the above accomplishment and which can be adapted to readily interface with industry standard components and meet industry standard specifications.