PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9001280-B2
Application Number: US-201213603151-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Devices and methods for shielding displays from electrostatic discharge

Abstract:
Methods and devices for shielding displays from electrostatic discharge (ESD) are provided. In one example, a display of an electronic device may include a high resistivity shielding layer configured to protect electrical components from static charges. The display may also include a conductive layer electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the high resistivity shielding layer. The display may include a grounding layer and a conductor electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A display of an electronic device comprising:
 a high resistivity shielding layer configured to protect electrical components from static charges;
 a conductive layer electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the high resistivity shielding layer, wherein the conductive layer comprises one or more conductive bars electrically coupled together; 
 
 a grounding layer; and
 a conductor electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the high resistivity shielding layer comprises indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the high resistivity shielding layer comprises a resistance of greater than approximately 1000 ohms per square. 
     
     
       4. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the high resistivity shielding layer is configured to protect a display layer, a touch layer, or any combination thereof from static charges. 
     
     
       5. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises one or more conductive dots electrically coupled together. 
     
     
       6. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive ring disposed along a border of the high resistivity shielding layer. 
     
     
       7. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive ring disposed along a border of the high resistivity shielding layer and a conductive bar coupled to the conductive ring and to the conductor. 
     
     
       8. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a metallic material. 
     
     
       9. The display of  claim 8 , wherein the metallic material comprises silver. 
     
     
       10. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a carbon nanotube. 
     
     
       11. The display of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive polarizer. 
     
     
       12. A method of manufacturing a consumer electronic device, comprising:
 providing a display panel, wherein the display panel comprises:
 a high resistivity shielding layer configured to protect electrical components of the display panel from static charges; 
 a conductive layer electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to increase a speed that static charges are directed from the high resistivity shielding layer, wherein the conductive layer comprises one or more conductive bars electrically coupled together; 
 a grounding layer; and 
 a conductor electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer; and 
 
 coupling a processing device to the display panel. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , comprising coupling the display panel and the processing device to a housing. 
     
     
       14. A method of manufacturing a display panel for a display device, comprising:
 providing a substrate; 
 forming a grounding layer over the substrate, wherein forming the grounding layer over the substrate comprises forming the grounding layer directly on a thin-film transistor layer; 
 forming a high resistivity shielding layer over the grounding layer, wherein the high resistivity shielding layer is configured to protect electrical components of the display panel from static charges; 
 forming a conductive layer directly on the high resistivity shielding layer, wherein the conductive layer is electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to decrease a time that it takes to direct static charges from the high resistivity shielding layer; and 
 forming a conductor directly on the grounding layer and the conductive layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming the high resistivity shielding layer over the grounding layer comprises forming the high resistivity shielding layer directly on a color filter glass layer. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming the high resistivity shielding layer over the grounding layer comprises forming the high resistivity shielding layer directly on a polarizer layer. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming the conductive layer directly on the high resistivity shielding layer comprises forming the polarizer layer directly on the high resistivity shielding layer. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming the high resistivity shielding layer over the grounding layer comprises forming the high resistivity shielding layer directly on a color filter glass layer, wherein the color filter glass layer comprises on-cell touch. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , comprising forming a liquid crystal layer between the substrate and the high resistivity shielding layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises in-cell touch. 
     
     
       20. A display device comprising:
 a thin-film transistor layer; 
 a grounding layer disposed over the thin-film transistor layer; 
 a liquid crystal layer disposed over the grounding layer; 
 a color filter glass layer disposed over the liquid crystal layer; 
 a high resistivity shielding layer disposed over the color filter glass layer, the high resistivity shielding layer configured to protect electrical components from static charges; 
 a conductive layer disposed directly on the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to increase a speed that static charges are directed from the high resistivity shielding layer, wherein the conductive layer comprises one or more conductive bars electrically coupled together; and 
 a conductor disposed between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer. 
 
     
     
       21. The display device of  claim 20 , wherein the color filter glass layer comprises on-cell touch. 
     
     
       22. An electronic device comprising:
 a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel comprising a plurality of display pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein the display panel comprises:
 a high resistivity shielding layer disposed over the display pixels and configured to protect the display pixels from static charges; 
 a conductive layer electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to decrease a discharge time for static charges to be directed from the high resistivity shielding layer, wherein the conductive layer comprises one or more conductive bars electrically coupled together; 
 a grounding layer; and 
 a conductor electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer. 
 
 
     
     
       23. The electronic device of  claim 22 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive ring disposed along a border of the high resistivity shielding layer. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the high resistivity shielding layer comprises a resistance of greater than approximately 1000 ohms per square. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the high resistivity shielding layer comprises a resistance of greater than approximately 1000 ohms per square. 
     
     
       26. The display device of  claim 20 , wherein the high resistivity shielding layer comprises a resistance of greater than approximately 1000 ohms per square. 
     
     
       27. The electronic device of  claim 22 , wherein the high resistivity shielding layer comprises a resistance of greater than approximately 1000 ohms per square.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Non-Provisional Patent Application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/657,682, entitled “Devices and Methods for Shielding Displays from Electrostatic Discharge”, filed Jun. 8, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to electronic displays and, more particularly, to devices and methods for shielding displays from electrostatic discharge (ESD). 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, are commonly used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including such consumer electronics as televisions, computers, and handheld devices (e.g., cellular telephones, audio and video players, gaming systems, and so forth). Such display panels typically provide a display in a relatively thin package that is suitable for use in a variety of electronic goods. 
     As may be appreciated, a static charge may contact the display of the electronic device during normal operation of the electronic device (e.g., via human skin rubbing against the display, an object rubbing against a protective film of the display, and so forth), or during testing of the electronic device (e.g., using a tool to apply ESD to the electronic device). The display may be formed using certain layers that are used to shield the display from ESD. For example, a high resistivity material may be used to shield the display from ESD. In such configurations, the shielding material may not adequately shield the display from ESD, thereby interfering with an image quality of the display. In contrast, if a layer of material has too low of a resistivity, touch functionality of the display may be adversely affected. For example, touches may be sensed when they do not occur. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices and methods for shielding displays from electrostatic discharge (ESD). By way of example, a display of an electronic device may include a high resistivity shielding layer configured to protect electrical components from static charges. The display may also include a conductive layer electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the high resistivity shielding layer. The display may include a grounding layer and a conductor electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer. 
     Various refinements of the features noted above may be made in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in any combination. The brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device with an electronic display having an electrostatic discharge (ESD) shielding layer which may be coupled to a conductive layer to decrease a discharge time of static charges applied to the shielding, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a notebook computer representing an embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a handheld device representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of layers of a display panel of an electronic display illustrating a shielding layer being formed between a color filter layer and a polarizer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of layers of a display panel of an electronic display illustrating a shielding layer being formed between a color filter layer and a polarizer with a touch layer formed between the polarizer and a cover glass, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of layers of a display panel of an electronic display illustrating a shielding layer being formed between a polarizer and a touch layer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of layers of a display panel of an electronic display illustrating a shielding layer being formed between a color filter layer having on-cell touch features and a polarizer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of layers of a display panel of an electronic display illustrating a shielding layer being formed over a color filter layer having on-cell touch features and over a polarizer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of layers of a display panel of an electronic display illustrating a shielding layer being formed between a liquid crystal layer having in-cell touch features and a polarizer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of layers of a display panel of an electronic display illustrating a shielding layer being formed over a liquid crystal layer having in-cell touch features and over a polarizer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of conductive dots coupled between a shielding layer and a grounding conductor to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the shielding layer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a conductive bar coupled between a shielding layer and a grounding conductor to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the shielding layer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of a conductive ring coupled between a shielding layer and a grounding conductor to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the shielding layer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of a conductive bar and a conductive ring coupled between a shielding layer and a grounding conductor to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the shielding layer, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart describing a method for manufacturing a consumer electronic device having a display with a conductive layer coupled between a shielding layer and a grounding conductor, in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     As mentioned above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to electronic devices incorporating a shielding layer of material within an electronic display to shield the electronic display from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Specifically, the shielding layer is electrically coupled to a grounding surface to dissipate static charges from the shielding layer to the grounding surface. If the shielding layer has a resistivity (e.g., resistance) that is too high, the shielding layer may not properly shield the electronic display from static charges. For example, discharge mura may be induced by a static charge. Accordingly, there may be a long discharge time to dissipate the static charge. The long discharge time may result in image artifacts appearing in images of the display. For example, static charge accumulation on the display may cause flicker, vertical artifacts, and/or horizontal artifacts resulting in a decrease in the quality of the image being displayed. In contrast, if the shielding layer has a resistivity that is too low, touch functions of the display may be adversely affected. For example, a touch may be sensed when a touch does not occur. As another example, a single touch may be sensed in multiple locations. 
     To decrease a discharge time of static charges present at a high resistivity shielding layer, and thereby reduce the undesirable results that may occur from static charge accumulation, a conductive layer may be electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer. The conductive layer may also be coupled to a grounding layer via a conductor electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer. For example, a conductive layer of conductive dots, one or more conductive bars, a conductive ring, and so forth may be used to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the high resistivity shielding layer to the grounding layer. Accordingly, static charges may be dissipated to reduce the occurrence of image artifacts. 
     With the foregoing in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices that may employ a display having a conductive layer electrically coupled to a high resistivity shielding layer will be provided below. In particular,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting various components that may be present in an electronic device suitable for incorporating such a display.  FIGS. 2 and 3  respectively illustrate perspective and front views of a suitable electronic device, which may be, as illustrated, a notebook computer or a handheld electronic device. 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include, among other things, one or more processor(s)  12 , memory  14 , nonvolatile storage  16 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , an input/output (I/O) interface  24 , network interfaces  26 , and a power source  28 . The various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may include hardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium) or a combination of both hardware and software elements. It should be noted that  FIG. 1  is merely one example of a particular implementation and is intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in the electronic device  10 . As may be appreciated, the display  18  may include a conductive layer electrically coupled to a high resistivity shielding layer to quickly dissipate a static charge from the shielding layer to a grounding layer. As such, embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed to reduce image artifacts from occurring on the display  18  due to ESD. 
     By way of example, the electronic device  10  may represent a block diagram of the notebook computer depicted in  FIG. 2 , the handheld device depicted in  FIG. 3 , or similar devices. It should be noted that the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be generally referred to herein as “data processing circuitry.” This data processing circuitry may be embodied wholly or in part as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the data processing circuitry may be a single contained processing module or may be incorporated wholly or partially within any of the other elements within the electronic device  10 . As presented herein, the data processing circuitry may control the electronic display  18 . 
     In the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be operably coupled with the memory  14  and the nonvolatile memory  16  to execute instructions. Such programs or instructions executed by the processor(s)  12  may be stored in any suitable article of manufacture that includes one or more tangible, computer-readable media at least collectively storing the instructions or routines, such as the memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16 . The memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16  may include any suitable articles of manufacture for storing data and executable instructions, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drives, and optical discs. Also, programs (e.g., an operating system) encoded on such a computer program product may also include instructions that may be executed by the processor(s)  12 . 
     The display  18  may be a touch-screen liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, which may enable users to interact with a user interface of the electronic device  10 . In some embodiments, the electronic display  18  may be a MultiTouch™ display that can detect multiple touches at once. The input structures  22  of the electronic device  10  may enable a user to interact with the electronic device  10  (e.g., pressing a button to increase or decrease a volume level). The I/O interface  24  may enable the electronic device  10  to interface with various other electronic devices, as may the network interfaces  26 . The network interfaces  26  may include, for example, interfaces for a personal area network (PAN), such as a Bluetooth network, for a local area network (LAN), such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network, and/or for a wide area network (WAN), such as a 3G or 4G cellular network. The power source  28  of the electronic device  10  may be any suitable source of power, such as a rechargeable lithium polymer (Li-poly) battery and/or an alternating current (AC) power converter. 
     The electronic device  10  may take the form of a computer or other type of electronic device. Such computers may include computers that are generally portable (such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place (such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  in the form of a computer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. By way of example, the electronic device  10 , taking the form of a notebook computer  30 , is illustrated in  FIG. 2  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The depicted computer  30  may include a housing  32 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , and ports of an I/O interface  24 . In one embodiment, the input structures  22  (such as a keyboard and/or touchpad) may be used to interact with the computer  30 , such as to start, control, or operate a GUI or applications running on the computer  30 . For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on the display  18 . Further, the display  18  of the computer  30  may include a conductive layer electrically coupled to a high resistivity shielding layer to quickly dissipate a static charge from the shielding layer to a grounding layer as described in detail below. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front view of a handheld device  34 , which represents one embodiment of the electronic device  10 . The handheld device  34  may represent, for example, a portable phone, a media player, a personal data organizer, a handheld game platform, or any combination of such devices. By way of example, the handheld device  34  may be a model of an iPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In other embodiments, the handheld device  34  may be a tablet-sized embodiment of the electronic device  10 , which may be, for example, a model of an iPad® available from Apple Inc. 
     The handheld device  34  may include an enclosure  36  to protect interior components from physical damage and to shield them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure  36  may surround the display  18 , which may display indicator icons  38 . The indicator icons  38  may indicate, among other things, a cellular signal strength, Bluetooth connection, and/or battery life. The I/O interfaces  24  may open through the enclosure  36  and may include, for example, a proprietary I/O port from Apple Inc. to connect to external devices. 
     User input structures  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 , in combination with the display  18 , may allow a user to control the handheld device  34 . For example, the input structure  40  may activate or deactivate the handheld device  34 , the input structure  42  may navigate a user interface to a home screen, a user-configurable application screen, and/or activate a voice-recognition feature of the handheld device  34 , the input structures  44  may provide volume control, and the input structure  46  may toggle between vibrate and ring modes. A microphone  48  may obtain a user&#39;s voice for various voice-related features, and a speaker  50  may enable audio playback and/or certain phone capabilities. A headphone input  52  may provide a connection to external speakers and/or headphones. As mentioned above, the display  18  of the handheld device  34  may include a conductive layer electrically coupled to a high resistivity shielding layer to quickly dissipate a static charge from the shielding layer to a grounding layer. 
     To protect the display  18  of the electronic device  10  from ESD, a shielding layer may be formed between various layers of the display  18 . For example,  FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the display  18  that includes a shielding layer. Specifically, the display  18  includes a display panel  62  positioned over a backlight assembly  64 . The display panel  62  includes multiple layers that form pixels of the display  18 . The backlight assembly  64  directs light through the pixels of the display panel  62  via a transparent medium  66  (e.g., gas, fluid) between the backlight assembly  64  and the display panel  62 . 
     As illustrated, the display panel  62  includes a rear polarizer  68  positioned adjacent to the backlight assembly  64 . The rear polarizer  68  (e.g., polarizing layer) polarizes light emitted by the backlight assembly  64 . Moreover, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer  70  is formed over the rear polarizer  68 . For simplicity, the TFT layer  70  is depicted as a generalized structure in  FIG. 4 . In practice, the TFT layer  70  may itself include various conductive, non-conductive, and semiconductive layers and structures that generally form the electrical devices and pathways that drive the operation of the pixels. In certain embodiments, the TFT layer  70  may be formed to use fringe field switching (FFS) or in-plane switching (IPS). As illustrated, a grounding layer  72  is formed over the TFT layer  70 . The grounding layer  72  may be used to ground portions of the display panel  62 . As such, the grounding layer  72  may be coupled to a reference signal of the display panel  62 , the display  18 , and/or the electronic device  10 . In some embodiments, the grounding layer  72  may be formed as part of the TFT layer  70 . As may be appreciated, the TFT layer  70  may also include a substrate layer (e.g., formed from a light-transparent material, such as glass, quartz, and/or plastic) at the interface with the rear polarizer  68  and an alignment layer (e.g., formed from polyimide or other suitable materials) at the interface with a liquid crystal layer  74 . 
     The liquid crystal layer  74  includes liquid crystal particles or molecules suspended in a fluid or gel matrix. The liquid crystal particles may be oriented or aligned with respect to an electrical field generated by the TFT layer  70 . The orientation of the liquid crystal particles in the liquid crystal layer  74  determines an amount of light transmission through pixels of the display panel  62 . Thus, by modulation of the electrical field applied to the liquid crystal layer  74 , the amount of light transmitted though the pixels may be correspondingly modulated. 
     Disposed over the liquid crystal layer  74  is a color filter layer  76 . As may be appreciated, the color filter layer  76  may include one or more alignment and/or overcoating layers interfacing the liquid crystal layer  74  with the color filter layer  76 . Furthermore, the color filter layer  76  may include a red, green, or blue filter, for example. Thus, each pixel of the display panel  62  may correspond to a primary color when light is transmitted from the backlight assembly  64  through the liquid crystal layer  74  and the color filter layer  76 . It should be noted that the color filter layer  76  may include a substrate (e.g., formed from light-transmissive glass, quartz, and/or plastic). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a high resistivity (e.g., high resistance) shielding layer  78  is disposed over the color filter layer  76  and between the color filter layer  76  and a front polarizer  80  (e.g., a polarizing layer to polarize light emitted by the backlight assembly  64 ). The high resistivity shielding layer  78  may have any suitable resistance for providing ESD protection to the display panel  62  (e.g., display layers, touch layers, electrical components, etc.). For example, the high resistivity shielding layer  78  may have a sheet resistance of approximately 100 to 1,000 ohms per square, 1,000 to 1,000,000 ohms per square, or 1,000,000 to 10,000,000,000 ohms per square. Furthermore, the high resistivity shielding layer  78  may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the high resistivity shielding layer  78  may be formed from a material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and/or indium zinc oxide (IZO). 
     The high resistivity shielding layer  78  is electrically coupled to the grounding layer  72  via a conductor  82  to direct static charges from the high resistivity shielding layer  78  to the grounding layer  72 . The conductor  82  may be formed from any suitable conductive material (e.g., silver, silver paste, copper, conductive tape, and so forth) to electrically couple the high resistivity shielding layer  78  to the grounding layer  72 . 
     As may be appreciated, because of the high resistivity of the shielding layer  78 , it may take longer than desired to dissipate a static charge that is present on the high resistivity shielding layer  78 . Accordingly, a low resistance conductive layer may be formed between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82  to decrease the time it takes to dissipate static charges. 
     The high resistivity shielding layer  78  may be formed between various layers of the display panel  62 . For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of layers of the display panel  62  with the high resistivity shielding layer  78  formed between the color filter layer  76  and the front polarizer  80 . In the present embodiment, the display panel  62  includes a touch layer formed over the front polarizer  80 . Specifically, a layer  86  (e.g., air gap, adhesive, optically-clear adhesive (OCA)) is formed over the front polarizer  80  and a touch layer  88  (e.g., touch panel) is formed over the layer  86  to sense touches that occur. Furthermore, a layer  90  (e.g., air gap, adhesive, OCA) is formed over the touch layer  88 . Moreover, a filler material  92  is formed over a portion of the TFT layer  70 , and adjacent to the front polarizer layer  80 , the layer  86 , the touch layer  88 , and the layer  90 . In addition, a cover glass layer  94  is formed over the layer  90  and the filler material  92 . As illustrated, the high resistivity shielding layer  78  is formed within the display panel  62  so that is may provide shielding to the TFT layer  70 , but not to the touch layer  88 . Accordingly, the touch layer  88  may be affected by ESD. 
     The ESD protection provided by the high resistivity shielding layer  78  may be improved by forming the shielding layer  78  over the front polarizer  80 . Accordingly,  FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of layers of the display panel  62  with the high resistivity shielding layer  78  formed over the front polarizer  80  and between the front polarizer  80  and the touch layer  88 . As may be appreciated, the front polarizer  80  may be formed using a metal oxide, a conductive polymer, carbon nanotube (CNT), silver nanowire (AgNW), or another suitable material. In such embodiments, the front polarizer  80  may act as a conductive layer between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82 . Accordingly, with the front polarizer  80  functioning as a conductive layer, an additional conductive layer may not be formed on the high resistivity shielding layer  78 . Furthermore, with the high resistivity shielding layer  78  further from the liquid crystal layer  74  (e.g., due to the thickness of the front polarizer  80 ), ESD protection of the display panel  62  may be improved. 
     The high resistivity shielding layer  78  may be used in display panels  62  that incorporate on-cell touch features into the color filter layer  76 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of layers of such a display panel  62 . Accordingly, a color filter layer  100  incorporates on-cell touch features so that touches may be sensed without a separate touch layer  88 . Furthermore, as illustrated, the high resistivity shielding layer  78  is formed between the color filter layer  100  and the front polarizer  80 . In contrast and as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the high resistivity shielding layer  78  may be formed over the color filter layer  100  having the on-cell touch features and over the front polarizer  80 . In such an embodiment, the front polarizer  80  may function as a conductive layer of the high resistivity shielding layer  78  as discussed above. Furthermore, ESD protection of the display panel  62  may be improved due to the high resistivity shielding layer  78  being further from the liquid crystal layer  74 . 
     The high resistivity shielding layer  78  may also be used in display panels  62  that incorporate in-cell touch features into liquid crystal layer  74 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of layers of such a display panel  62 . As such, a liquid crystal layer  106  incorporates in-cell touch features so that touches may be sensed without a separate touch layer  88 . In addition, the high resistivity shielding layer  78  is formed between the liquid crystal layer  106  and the front polarizer  80 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the high resistivity shielding layer  78  may also be formed over the liquid crystal layer  106  having in-cell touch features and over the polarizer layer  80 . Accordingly, the front polarizer  80  may function as a conductive layer of the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and ESD protection of the display panel  62  may be improved (e.g., due to the high resistivity shielding layer  78  being further from the liquid crystal layer  106 ). 
     The display panel  62  may include a conductive layer that is separate from the front polarizer  80 . Such a conductive layer may be formed between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82  and may decrease the time it takes to discharge static from the high resistivity shielding layer  78 . Accordingly,  FIGS. 11 through 14  illustrate various configurations of such a conductive layer. For example, the conductive layer may include one or more conductive dots (e.g.,  FIG. 11 ), one or more conductive bars (e.g.,  FIG. 12 ), one or more conductive rings (e.g.,  FIG. 13 ), and/or a conductive ring and a conductive bar (e.g.,  FIG. 14 ) that may be formed between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82 . 
     The conductive layer may include one or more conductive dots  112  formed on, and electrically coupled to, the high resistivity shielding layer  78 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Furthermore, the conductive dots  112  are electrically coupled to the conductor  82  and electrically coupled between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82 . Moreover, the conductive dots  112  provide a low resistance path between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82  so that static charges may flow more quickly from the high resistivity shielding layer  78  to the conductor  82 . Accordingly, the conductive dots  112  may be formed from any suitable conductive material (e.g., silver, CNT, carbon paste, AgNW, metallic material, and so forth). Although four conductive dots  112  are illustrated, any suitable number of conductive dots  112  may be used. 
     As may be appreciated, the conductive layer may also include one or more conductive bars  116  formed on, and electrically coupled to, the high resistivity shielding layer  78 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In the present embodiment, the conductive bar  116  is electrically coupled to the conductor  82  and electrically coupled between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82 . Moreover, the conductive bar  116  provides a low resistance path between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82  so that static charges may flow more quickly from the high resistivity shielding layer  78  to the conductor  82 . Accordingly, similar to the conductive dots  112 , the conductive bar  116  may be formed from any suitable conductive material (e.g., silver, CNT, carbon paste, AgNW, metallic material, and so forth). Although one conductive bar  116  is illustrated, any suitable number of conductive bars  116  may be used. In addition, the conductive bars  116  may be any suitable shape (e.g., curved, straight, uniform, non-uniform). 
     The conductive layer may include one or more conductive rings  120  formed on, and electrically coupled to, the high resistivity shielding layer  78 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Specifically, the conductive ring  120  is electrically coupled to the conductor  82  and electrically coupled between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82 . Moreover, the conductive ring  120  provides a low resistance path between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82  so that static charges may flow more quickly from the high resistivity shielding layer  78  to the conductor  82 . Accordingly, the conductive ring  120  may be formed from any suitable conductive material (e.g., silver, CNT, carbon paste, AgNW, metallic material, and so forth). Although one conductive ring  120  is illustrated, any suitable number of conductive rings  120  may be used. In addition, the conductive rings  120  may be any suitable shape (e.g., curved, straight, uniform, non-uniform, circle, square). As illustrated, the conductive ring  120  may be formed along an edge (e.g., border) of the high resistivity shielding layer  78 ; however, the conductive ring  120  may be formed along a different portion of the shielding layer  78 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the conductive ring  120  and the conductive bar  116  may both together form the conductive layer. As may be appreciated, in some embodiments the conductive layer may be formed using any combination of the conductive dots  112 , the conductive bars  116 , and/or the conductive rings  120 . 
     A consumer electronic device  10  may be manufactured with a display panel  62  having the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and a conductive layer electrically coupled between the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and the conductor  82 . Accordingly,  FIG. 15  is a flowchart describing a method  124  for manufacturing such a consumer electronic device  10 . A display panel  62  may be provided (block  126 ). The display panel  62  may include the high resistivity shielding layer  78  configured to protect electrical components of the display panel  62  from static charges. The display panel  62  may also include a conductive layer (e.g., conductive dots  112 , conductive bars  116 , conductive rings  120 ) electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer  78  and configured to increase a speed that static charges are directed from the high resistivity shielding layer  78 . The display panel  62  may include the grounding layer  72  and the conductor  82  which is electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer  72  to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer  72 . A processor  12  (e.g., processing device) may be coupled to the display panel  62  (block  128 ). Furthermore, the display panel  62  and the processor  12  may be coupled to a housing  32  (block  130 ). 
     Technical effects of the present disclosure include, among other things, decreasing the time that it takes to discharge static charges from an ESD shielding layer of the electronic device  10 . By decreasing the static discharge time, image artifacts that may result from a static charge remaining on the ESD shielding layer may be reduced or removed. Accordingly, users of electronic devices may be able to view higher quality images on a display of the electronic device. 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120904
Publication Date: 20150407
Grant Date: 20150407
Priority Date: 20120608
Inventors: XU MING
GE ZHIBING
YU CHENG-HO
CHEN CHENG
JAMSHIDI-ROUDBARI ABBAS
YOUNGS LYNN RICHARD
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G09G2300/0426", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2202/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2330/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2001/133334", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/134363", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2202/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/134363", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0426", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2202/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0426", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2330/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2330/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133334", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133334", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/134363", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 48670836