Micro-wire electrodes with dummy micro-dots

Abstract

A micro-wire multi-electrode structure having an area of substantially uniform optical density includes a plurality of spatially separated patterned electrodes in an electrode layer in the area. Each electrode includes a plurality of patterned conductive electrically connected electrode micro-wires. A plurality of patterned electrically isolated dummy micro-dots are located between adjacent electrodes and arranged to provide a substantially uniform optical density in the area. An unpatterned conductive layer is located in the area in electrical contact with the electrode micro-wires and dummy micro-dots.

1 . A micro-wire multi-electrode structure having an area of substantially uniform optical density, comprising:
 a plurality of spatially separated patterned electrodes in an electrode layer in the area, each electrode including a plurality of patterned conductive electrically connected electrode micro-wires;   a plurality of patterned electrically isolated dummy micro-dots between adjacent electrodes, arranged to provide a substantially uniform optical density in the area; and   an unpatterned conductive layer in the area, the unpatterned conductive layer in electrical contact with the electrode micro-wires and dummy micro-dots.   
     
     
         2 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the dummy micro-dots have a circular cross section. 
     
     
         3 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the dummy micro-dots have a square or polygonal cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the dummy micro-dots are located in a plurality of lines in the area between adjacent electrodes. 
     
     
         5 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 4 , wherein the electrodes extend in a direction and the lines in which the dummy micro-dots are located extend in the same direction. 
     
     
         6 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 4 , wherein at least some of the electrode micro-wires extend in a direction and the lines in which the dummy micro-dots are located extend in the same direction. 
     
     
         7 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode micro-wires form a pattern and the dummy micro-dots form a similar pattern in the area between adjacent electrodes. 
     
     
         8 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the dummy micro-dots are located randomly or pseudo-randomly in the area between adjacent electrodes. 
     
     
         9 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are drive electrodes, the electrode layer is a drive layer, the electrode micro-wires are drive micro-wires, and the area is a touch-sensitive area and further including:
 a sense layer separate from the drive layer;   a dielectric layer located between the drive layer and the sense layer; and   a plurality of spatially separated patterned sense electrodes in the sense layer in the area, each sense electrode including a plurality of patterned conductive electrically connected sense micro-wires.   
     
     
         10 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 9 , wherein the dummy micro-dots are located in the drive layer. 
     
     
         11 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 9 , further including additional dummy micro-dots located in the sense layer. 
     
     
         12 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the dummy micro-dots are located in the electrode layer. 
     
     
         13 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the dummy micro-dots and the electrode micro-wires are the same material. 
     
     
         14 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the area defines an edge and further including an edge electrode adjacent to the edge and edge dummy micro-dots located between the edge electrode and the edge of the area. 
     
     
         15 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 14 , further including an electrical wire electrically connected to electrodes and located adjacent to the edge of the area and outside the area and the edge dummy micro-dots are located between the electrodes and the electrical wire. 
     
     
         16 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein first dummy micro-dots are located between first adjacent electrodes in a first pattern and second dummy micro-dots are located between second adjacent electrodes in a second pattern different from the first pattern or that is the same as the first pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The micro-wire multi-electrode structure of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spatially separated patterned electrodes in the area form a regular array of electrodes. 
     
     
         18 . A touch-screen device having a touch-sensitive area of substantially uniform optical density, comprising:
 a plurality of spatially separated patterned drive electrodes in a drive layer in the touch-sensitive area, each drive electrode including a plurality of patterned conductive electrically connected drive micro-wires;   a plurality of spatially separated patterned sense electrodes in a sense layer in the touch-sensitive area, each sense electrode including a plurality of patterned conductive electrically connected sense micro-wires;   a dielectric layer located between the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes;   one or more patterned electrically isolated dummy micro-dots randomly arranged in the touch-sensitive area located in drive layer between adjacent drive electrodes, and electrically disconnected from the adjacent drive electrodes, whereby the touch-sensitive area has a substantially uniform optical density;   a conductive layer that is unpatterned in the touch-sensitive area, the conductive layer in electrical contact with the drive micro-wires and dummy micro-dots; and   a controller electrically connected to the drive and sense electrodes for controlling the drive and sense electrodes.   
     
     
         19 . A method of making a micro-wire multi-electrode structure having an area of substantially uniform optical density, comprising:
 providing a plurality of spatially separated patterned electrodes in an electrode layer in the area, each electrode including a plurality of patterned conductive electrically connected electrode micro-wires;   locating one or more patterned electrically isolated dummy micro-dots in the area, whereby the area has a substantially uniform optical density; and   locating an unpatterned conductive layer in the area, the unpatterned conductive layer in electrical contact with the electrode micro-wires and dummy micro-dots.