(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/004081.6 A1
`Toyomaki
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 22, 2007
`
`US 20070040816A1
`
`(54) DISPLAY APPARATUS, ELECTRONICS
`DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH DISPLAY
`APPARATUS, AND MANUFACTURING
`METHOD THEREOF
`
`(75) Inventor: Naohito Toyomaki, Kanagawa (JP)
`Correspondence Address:
`MCGINN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
`GROUP, PLLC
`8321 OLD COURTHOUSE ROAD
`SUTE 200
`VIENNA, VA 22182-3817 (US)
`(73) Assignee: NEC LCD TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.,
`Kawasaki (JP)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`11/501,119
`
`(22) Filed:
`(30)
`
`Aug. 9, 2006
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Aug. 17, 2005 (JP)....................................... 23.6531 (2005
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 345/174
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A display apparatus includes a display panel displaying an
`image thereon, a cover panel arranged facing the display
`panel across an air layer, and an electro-conductive material
`opening electrically and arranged on a Surface of one of the
`display panel and the cover panel faced with the air layer.
`
`
`
`21
`23A
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`23B 2OA
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`22
`41
`13
`12
`11
`14
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`1 OA
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`Page 1 of 20
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`Tianma Exhibit 1015
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 1 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`
`
`1 OO
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`5
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`FIG. 1
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`21
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`23B 20A
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`1 OA
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`Page 2 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 2 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`
`
`FIG. 2
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`Page 3 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 3 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`
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`Y-SAMPLEB
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`CONTACT NUMBER
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`FIG. 3
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`Page 4 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 4 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`Page 5 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 5 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`1 O1
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`5
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`20A
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`Page 6 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 6 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`Page 7 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 7 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`21
`23A
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`23B 20B
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`22
`43
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`Page 8 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 8 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`
`
`125
`
`21 O
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`5
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`FIG. 8
`RELATED ART
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`121
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`123B 120
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`to
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`1 11
`1 14
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`Page 9 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 9 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`- - - - - -
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`14O
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`SIGNAL
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`RELATED ART
`
`Page 10 of 20
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 10 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`ELECTRIC 1
`FIELD
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`RELATED ART
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`Page 11 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 11 of 12
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`100
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`30
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`FIG.11
`RELATED ART
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`Page 12 of 20
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 22, 2007 Sheet 12 of 12
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`30
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`
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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
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`
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`5
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`100 200 300 400 500 600
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`CHARGED AMOUNT (ABSOLUTE VALUE) (V)
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`FIG.12
`RELATED ART
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`Page 13 of 20
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`

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`US 2007/004081.6 A1
`
`Feb. 22, 2007
`
`DISPLAY APPARATUS, ELECTRONICS DEVICE
`EQUIPPED WITH DISPLAY APPARATUS, AND
`MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001) 1. Field of the Invention
`0002 The present invention relates to a display appara
`tus, an electronic device equipped with the display appara
`tus, and a manufacturing method thereof. In particular, the
`present invention relates to a display apparatus equipped
`with a cover panel, an electronic device equipped with the
`display apparatus, and a manufacturing method thereof.
`0003 2. Description of the Related Art
`0004. In most of display apparatuses for displaying an
`image, the display plane side of a display panel is covered
`with a cover panel for protection from foreign materials or
`water, enhancement of optical characteristics, and the like.
`In the display apparatuses, there is a touch panel type display
`apparatus equipped with a cover panel having a function of
`detecting a pressed position. The display apparatuses
`equipped with Such a touch panel have been popularized in
`the forms of personal digital assistants (PDAs), and So
`called “Smartphone', namely, multi-functionalized recent
`portable telephones. The major uses of the above-explained
`display apparatuses equipped with the touch panel are as the
`inputting and the outputting of data, the viewing of elec
`tronic mails or Web sites, and the like. However, as a matter
`of course, these PDAs and “Smartphones' should be nec
`essarily made compact and lightweight. Also, in the case
`where these PDAs and “Smartphones' have telephone func
`tions, it is preferable that there is no noise during a telephone
`conversation.
`0005. As an example, FIG. 8 shows a structural example
`of a liquid crystal display apparatus equipped with a touch
`panel, which relates to a technique of the present invention.
`As indicated in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal display apparatus
`210 of the related art is equipped with a liquid crystal panel
`110, a touch panel 120, and a chassis frame 130. The liquid
`crystal panel 110 is equipped with a thin-film transistor
`(TFT) substrate 111, a color filter substrate 112, and also
`polarizing films 113 and 114. The touch panel 120 is
`arranged over a display plane side of the liquid crystal panel
`110 to oppose the liquid crystal panel 110 across an air layer
`140. The touch panel 120 is equipped with an upper sub
`strate 121 and a lower substrate 122. The chassis frame 130
`supports both the liquid crystal panel 110 and the touch
`panel 120 by spacing the air layer 140. It should be noted
`that these panels are fixed to the chassis frame 130 by using
`two-sided adhesive compounds 125, 131, and 132. It should
`also be understood that the touch panel 120 also functions as
`a cover panel.
`0006.
`In this liquid crystal display apparatus 210 with the
`touch panel 120 mounted thereon, as represented in FIG. 9.
`a common electrode signal is applied to the liquid crystal
`panel 110 in order to drive the liquid crystal panel 110.
`However, very small vibrations are generated in the liquid
`crystal panel 110 as a secondary effect due to an inverse
`piezoelectric effect by static electricity. The generated vibra
`tions are propagated through the air layer 140, and further,
`make the touch panel 120 arranged on the upper portion of
`the air layer 140 vibrate although being minute.
`
`0007 When an input action and a pressure load are given
`to the touch panel 120 under this condition, the touch panel
`120 comes in contact with the liquid crystal panel 110 in the
`air layer 140, and thereafter, the touch panel 120 comes off
`the liquid crystal panel 110. Then, static electricity is pro
`duced on the contacted/peeled part, and as shown in FIG. 10,
`electric charges are produced. However, since the plane of
`the liquid crystal panel 110 and the plane of the touch panel
`120 on sides of the air layer 140 are formed of insulators, the
`electric charges are not discharged, and these planes are left
`under a condition that accumulates the electric charges. As
`a result, electrostatic force is produced in the air layer 140
`corresponding to a direction of an electric field produced by
`the common electrode signal. As a consequence, vibrations
`are generated in Synchronization with the amplitude of the
`common electrode signal. Similarly, the vibrations are over
`lapped additionally with the very small vibrations caused by
`the above-explained inverse piezoelectric effect, and gener
`ated due to the influence made by the common electrode
`signal, so that the vibrations are amplified.
`0008 FIG. 11 is a graph for representing a relationship
`between a contact number and a charged amount as to the
`liquid crystal panel 110 and the touch panel 120. As under
`stood from this graph, the charged amount depends upon the
`contact number. Also, there is a difference in increase in
`charged amounts between a stylus pen whose tip portion is
`relatively sharp, and a finger whose tip portion is relatively
`flat. As apparent from this fact, the charged amounts also
`depend upon the contact areas. Generation of the vibrations
`caused by the charging depends upon a frequency of a
`common electrode signal. In the case where this frequency
`is present in an audio frequency range, vibrations generated
`by this frequency may be heard as Sound, or noise. As a
`result of experiments executed by the inventor of the prevent
`invention, the inventor could recognize that when Sound
`levels were measured by employing a Sound level meter,
`measurement values in the range of 10 KHZ of the measur
`ing device were correlative to audible levels. Also, while
`various sorts of noise are produced from liquid crystal
`display apparatus, it was found that the Sound is recogniz
`able by bringing human ears close to the display apparatus
`when the sound level is approximately 15 dB or higher.
`0009 FIG. 12 is a graph for indicating a relationship
`between charged amounts and Sound levels in a liquid
`crystal display apparatus, which were measured by the
`above-explained measuring method. As understood from
`this graph, the charged amount and the Sound level have a
`Substantially direct proportional relationship. Accordingly, it
`can be understood that the larger the charged amount
`becomes, the higher the sound level becomes.
`0010. As a consequence, in order to prevent this genera
`tion of Sound, it is required that the electric charge itself is
`not generated, or the charged amount is not increased to Such
`a sound level that the vibrations caused by the charged
`amount may be heard as the sound. To this end, the follow
`ing method may be conceived. That is, the thickness of the
`air layer 140 is increased in such a manner that even when
`the liquid crystal panel 110 and the touch panel 120 receive
`Such pressure loads as input actions, these liquid crystal
`panel 110 and touch panel 120 are not easily contacted to
`each other. However, in order to suppress the charged
`amounts to an inaudible sound level, the thickness of the air
`layer 140 must be made sufficiently thick. As a result, there
`
`Page 14 of 20
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`

`

`US 2007/004081.6 A1
`
`Feb. 22, 2007
`
`is a problem that the entire thickness of the liquid crystal
`display apparatus 210 is increased.
`0011. On the other hand, another method may be con
`ceived. That is, the structural components of the liquid
`crystal display apparatus 210 are made in Solid shapes in
`such a manner that even when the liquid crystal panel 110
`and the touch panel 120 receive the above-explained pres
`sure loads, the touch panel 120 is not contacted with the
`liquid crystal panel 110. However, in this case, the thick
`nesses of the structural components must be made thick. As
`a result, similar to the above-explained case, there is another
`problem that the entire thickness of the liquid crystal display
`apparatus 210 is increased.
`0012. As another proposed idea, for example, there is a
`related art document of a liquid crystal display apparatus
`(refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-341372,
`pages 3 to 5. FIG. 1). This liquid crystal apparatus installs a
`transparent conductive membrane on the side of a display
`plane of a liquid crystal panel, and earth means electrically
`connects this transparent conductive membrane to the
`ground. As a result, the liquid crystal panel may be electro
`magnetically shielded. A touch panel is arranged on an outer
`Surface of this transparent conductive membrane.
`0013 However, in this structure, since the transparent
`conductive membrane is electrically connected to the
`ground, a potential difference is produced between the touch
`panel and the liquid crystal panel. As a result, there are some
`possibilities that vibrations that have occurred between the
`liquid crystal panel and the touch panel are amplified.
`Actually, when the experiment was carried out in the liquid
`crystal display apparatus having this structure, the effect of
`Suppressing the Sound was not be observed, but rather the
`Sound was increased. As previously explained, although this
`structure can prevent the electromagnetic waves which are
`inputted/outputted via the display screen, there is such a
`problem that the Sound cannot be Suppressed.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0014. In view of the above-mentioned and other exem
`plary problems, drawbacks and disadvantages of the related
`art methods and structures, an exemplary feature of the
`present invention is to provide a display apparatus, an
`electronic device equipped with the display apparatus, and a
`manufacturing method thereof capable of Suppressing an
`electric charge generated by repetition of contact and sepa
`ration between a display panel and a touch panel.
`0015. A display apparatus according to the present inven
`tion includes a display panel displaying an image thereon, a
`cover panel arranged facing the display panel across an air
`layer, and an electro-conductive material opening electri
`cally and arranged on a Surface of one of the display panel
`and the cover panel faced with the air layer.
`0016 A method of manufacturing a display apparatus
`according to the present invention including a display panel
`for displaying an image thereon, the method includes form
`ing a nonionic-based surface active agent in a mist form,
`causing the nonionic-based surface active agent to be
`adsorbed on a Surface of the display panel, and forming an
`electrically opened electro-conductive material on the Sur
`face of the display panel.
`0017. Since the above-described structure is employed,
`the display apparatus, the electronic device equipped with
`
`the display apparatus, and the manufacturing method
`thereof, according to the present invention, have the follow
`ing effects. That is, when the touch panel comes in contact
`with the display panel and then comes off the display panel
`by the input action or the pressure load given to the touch
`panel, it is possible to Suppress the electric charges gener
`ated by static electricity to be charged to the peeled part.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0018. The exemplary aspects, features and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent from the
`following detailed description when taken in conjunction
`with the accompanying drawings wherein:
`0019 FIG. 1 is a side view for schematically indicating
`a structure of a liquid crystal display apparatus equipped
`with a touch panel, according to Exemplary Aspect 1 of the
`present invention;
`0020 FIG. 2 is a side view for indicating a schematic
`arrangement of a processing apparatus which is employed
`for manufacturing a liquid crystal display apparatus
`equipped with a touch panel, according to the present
`invention;
`0021
`FIG. 3 is a graph for representing a relationship
`between a contact number and a charged amount between
`the liquid crystal panel and the touch panel;
`0022 FIG. 4 is a graph for indicating a relationship
`between a contact number and a sound level between the
`liquid crystal panel and the touch panel;
`0023 FIG. 5 is a side view for schematically indicating
`a structure of a liquid crystal display apparatus equipped
`with a touch panel, according to Exemplary Aspect 2 of the
`present invention;
`0024 FIG. 6 is a side view for schematically showing a
`modification of Exemplary Aspect 2 of the present inven
`tion;
`0025 FIG. 7 is a side view for schematically indicating
`a structure of a liquid crystal display apparatus equipped
`with a touch panel, according to Exemplary Aspect 3 of the
`present invention;
`0026 FIG. 8 is a side view for schematically showing a
`structure of a liquid crystal display apparatus related to a
`present technical idea;
`0027 FIG. 9 is a side view for schematically indicating
`Such a condition that a common electrode signal is applied
`to the liquid crystal display apparatus related to the present
`technical idea;
`0028 FIG. 10 is a side view for schematically showing
`Such a condition that a Sound is produced by the liquid
`crystal display device related to the present technical idea;
`0029 FIG. 11 is a graph for representing the relationship
`between the contact number and the charged amount
`between the liquid crystal panel and the touch panel, related
`to the present technical idea; and
`0030 FIG. 12 is a graph for indicating the relationship
`between the contact number and the sound level of the liquid
`crystal display apparatus related to the present technical
`idea.
`
`Page 15 of 20
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`

`US 2007/004081.6 A1
`
`Feb. 22, 2007
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED ASPECTS
`Exemplary aspects for carrying out the present
`0031
`invention will be described in detail below with reference to
`the drawing. The exemplary aspects described below show
`only illustrative examples in understanding the present
`invention, and the claims of the invention are not limited to
`these exemplary aspects.
`0032 Referring now to drawings, a detailed description
`is made of a liquid crystal display apparatus equipped with
`a touch panel, and a manufacturing method thereof, accord
`ing to Exemplary Aspect 1 of the present invention.
`0033 FIG. 1 is a side view for schematically indicating
`a structure of a liquid crystal display apparatus equipped
`with the touch panel, according to Exemplary Aspect 1 of
`the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view for indicating a
`schematic arrangement of a processing apparatus which is
`employed for manufacturing the liquid crystal display appa
`ratus equipped with touch panel, according to the present
`invention. FIG. 3 is a graph for representing a relationship
`between a contact number and a charged amount between
`the liquid crystal panel and the touch panel. FIG. 4 is a graph
`for indicating a relationship between a contact number and
`a sound level between the liquid crystal panel and the touch
`panel.
`0034. As indicated in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display
`apparatus 100 of Exemplary Aspect 1 includes a liquid
`crystal panel 10A, a touch panel 20A, and a chassis frame 30
`which holds the liquid crystal panel 10A and the touch panel
`20A
`0035. The liquid crystal panel 10A is arranged by an
`active matrix substrate (also called a thin-film transistor
`substrate, and hereinafter referred to as TFT substrate) 11
`and a color filter substrate 12 which sandwich a liquid
`crystal layer 15. Furthermore, a polarizing film 14 is
`mounted on the TFT substrate 11, and a polarizing film 13
`is mounted on the color filter substrate 12. It should be
`understood that a Switching element (not shown) Such as a
`TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) for driving liquid crystal is
`arranged on the TFT substrate 11. Also, an electrode layer
`(not shown) located opposite to the color filter substrate 11
`is formed on this color filter substrate 12.
`0036). In the touch panel 20A, for example, a resistive
`film system is employed. In this touch panel 20A, an upper
`Substrate 21 and a lower Substrate 22 are arranged in Such a
`manner that the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate
`22 are located opposite to each with an air layer 24 sand
`wiched between them. A transparent conductive membrane
`23A functioning as a position sensitive electrode is formed
`on a surface of the upper substrate 21. Similarly, another
`transparent conductive membrane 23B functioning as a
`position sensitive electrode is formed on a surface of the
`lower substrate 22. Then, the upper substrate 21 and the
`lower Substrate 22 are arranged in Such a manner that the
`transparent conductive membranes 23A and 23B are located
`opposite to each other. The upper substrate 21 and the lower
`Substrate 22 are held with a predetermined gap maintained
`between these substrates 21 and 22 by way of a two-sided
`adhesive compound 25 provided on peripheral portions
`thereof. This two-sided adhesive compound 25 also func
`tions as a spacer.
`
`0037. The chassis frame 30 has a spacer function, and
`stepped portions for determining fixed positions as to the
`liquid crystal panel 10A and the touch panel 20A are
`provided on this chassis frame 30. Therefore, an air layer 40
`is formed between the liquid crystal panel 10A and the touch
`panel 20A. The liquid crystal panel 10A and the touch panel
`20A are fixed at the predetermined positions of the chassis
`frame 30 by two-sided adhesive compounds 31 and 32
`respectively.
`0038. This air layer 40 is made to have such a dimension
`that the touch panel 20A and the liquid crystal panel 10A are
`not easily contacted to each other due to cambers of the
`touch panel 20A or weight (for example, 300 to 500 gif
`(gram-force)) on the touch panel 20A by input action
`performed by an input pen or a finger. The thickness of the
`air layer 40 is, for example, 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm.
`0.039
`However, in the case where the cambers of the
`touch panel 20A or the input weight are increased, the lower
`substrate 22 of the touch panel 20A may come in contact
`with the upper polarizing film 12 of the liquid crystal panel
`1A. Then, these touch panel 20A and liquid crystal panel
`10A come off each other due to inertia. In particular, in such
`a case where the camber of the touch panel 20A is large, and
`the input weight is heavy, this phenomenon frequently
`occurs. At this time, electric charges are charged due to static
`electricity produced by the peeling effect at the contact
`portion of the surface of the upper polarizing film 13. This
`effect may constitute the above-explained reason why the
`vibrations are generated. Accordingly, in Exemplary Aspect
`1, in order to prevent this charging operation, an antistatic
`membrane 41 is formed on the surface of the upper polar
`izing film 13. This antistatic membrane 41 has been brought
`into an electrically open status. In other words, this antistatic
`membrane 41 has been set to an electrically floating status,
`and is not electrically energized. This antistatic membrane
`41 diffuses the electric charges produced when the touch
`panel 20A and the liquid crystal panel 10 come off each
`other so as to avoid an increase of the electrostatic force.
`0040. It should be understood that the above-described
`antistatic membrane 41 may be provided with a function
`capable of preventing charging operation. More preferably,
`it is desirable that a surface resistance value of the antistatic
`membrane 41 is equal to or lower than an approximately
`1xE12 C2/square. As a result, the concentrative charging
`operations can be more effectively prevented. Also, it is
`preferable that the antistatic membrane 41 may be made of
`a colorless and transparent membrane, and a visible light
`transmittance thereof is equal to or higher than approxi
`mately 95%. Therefore, it is possible to avoid that a display
`is disturbed. Also, a thickness of the antistatic membrane 41
`may be made equal to or Smaller than approximately 1 um.
`As to the antistatic membrane 41, a nonionic Surface active
`agent is employed as a major component, and more specifi
`cally, a fluorine element-based may be employed. The
`Surface active agent owns a nature capable of charging and
`activating a Surface of an insulating material which can be
`easily charged.
`0041) Next, a description is made of an assembling step
`as to the liquid crystal display apparatus 100 with the touch
`panel 20A mounted thereon, according to Exemplary Aspect
`1. In particular, a method for forming the antistatic mem
`brane 41 on the surface of the liquid crystal panel 10A will
`now be explained.
`
`Page 16 of 20
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`

`US 2007/004081.6 A1
`
`Feb. 22, 2007
`
`0042. In FIG. 1, the TFT substrate 11 is overlapped with
`the color filter substrate 12, and the polarizing films 13 and
`14 are mounted on the liquid crystal panel 10A into which
`the liquid crystal 15 has been injected. Next, a flexible
`Substrate (not shown) through which a drive Voltage, an
`input signal, and the like are transferred from a circuit, is
`mounted by a pressure contacting method or the like. Also,
`a driver integrated circuit (referred to as IC; not shown) for
`driving the liquid crystal panel 10A is mounted by a pressure
`contacting method or the like. It should also be noted that
`this driver IC may be alternatively assembled in the liquid
`crystal panel 10A. Moreover, in the case of either a trans
`missive type liquid crystal display apparatus or a semitrans
`missive type liquid crystal display apparatus, a back light
`(not shown) is mounted. Under this condition, the liquid
`crystal display apparatus 100 is under a semi-finished con
`dition that the remaining touch panel 20A is merely mounted
`thereon.
`0043. In this status, the antistatic membrane 41 is formed
`on a Surface of the liquid crystal panel 10A. For instance, a
`processing apparatus is prepared by which a process fluid is
`made in a mist form and then the mist-formed process fluid
`can be filled in a chamber. It should also be understood that
`the process fluid may be preferably a composite water
`Solution by employing a nonionic Surface active agent, and
`the processing apparatus may preferably form mists, the
`averaged diameter of which is equal to or smaller than 20
`lm.
`0044 FIG. 2 is a side view for showing a schematic
`structure of a processing apparatus 50 employed so as to
`manufacture a liquid crystal display apparatus with a touch
`panel mounted thereon according to the present invention.
`The processing apparatus 50 is equipped with a transporting
`means 51 capable of transporting the liquid crystal display
`apparatus 55 which has been brought into the semi-finished
`condition described above at a constant speed. The liquid
`crystal display apparatus 55 under the semi-finished condi
`tion is transported at the constant speed within a chamber 52
`into which the mists have been filled. As a result, a thin
`membrane over which a process fluid has been sprayed is
`formed on a Surface of the liquid crystal display apparatus,
`namely, a Surface of the upper polarizing film 13 which has
`passed through the chamber 52. This membrane is made of
`Such a thin film having a thickness equal to or thinner than
`1 Lum. Also, since the process fluid itself is colorless and
`transparent, the membrane which has been uniformly
`sprayed in the mist form is also colorless and transparent. A
`visible light transmittance of the membrane is maintained
`equal to or higher than 95%.
`0045. To be more specific, as a surface active agent of the
`process fluid, a fluorine-based surface active agent thereof
`may be employed. The processing apparatus 50 may pref
`erably spray a process fluid of 10 to 50 ml/min in the mist
`form. Further, it is preferable that the processing apparatus
`50 be capable of controlling temperatures from a room
`temperature to 60° C., and own an atmospheric circulating
`function. The transporting means 51 is typically known as a
`conveyer, and preferably, the transporting speed of the
`transporting means 51 may be changed in response to
`processing speeds of 0.1 to 1.5 m/min.
`0046. As an experimental example, a spray amount of the
`process fluid is set to 10 ml/min, a processing speed of the
`
`transporting means 51 is set to 0.10 m/min, and a tempera
`ture in the chamber 52 is set to 30 degrees Celsius. Under
`condition mentioned above, the liquid crystal display appa
`ratus 55 under semi-finished condition is mounted on the
`transporting means 51. Next, the liquid crystal display
`apparatus 55 under the semi-finished condition is conveyed
`into the chamber 52. It should also be noted that the
`temperature in the chamber 52 is controlled, and the atmo
`sphere in this chamber 52 is set in such a manner that the
`process fluid is circulated in the mist form. As a result, the
`mists are adsorbed on the Surface of the liquid crystal display
`apparatus 55 (to be specific, upper polarizing film 13) under
`semi-finished condition. As a consequence, particles of the
`process fluid, the dimensions of which are several tens of
`um, express an affinity for the processing plane. As a result,
`Such a uniform antistatic membrane 41 having a thickness
`equal to or Smaller than approximately 1 um is formed.
`Finally, the liquid crystal display apparatus 55 under the
`semi-finished condition, on which the antistatic membrane
`41 is formed, is carried out from the chamber 52.
`0047 Thereafter, the touch panel 20A is mounted on the
`liquid crystal display apparatus 55 under the semi-finished
`condition, on which the antistatic membrane 41 has been
`formed. Then, the liquid crystal display apparatus 100 with
`the touch panel 20A mounted thereon is completed. The
`touch panel 20A has been fixed on the chassis frame 30
`through the two-sided adhesive compound 32.
`0048. As a method for electrically opening the antistatic
`layer 41, a portion other than the surface of the upper
`polarizing film 13 may be masked. Alternatively, after the
`mist-formed Surface active agent has been adsorbed, the
`antistatic membrane 41 formed on the portion other than the
`surface of the upper polarizing film 13 may be removed.
`0049 Measurement results of the liquid crystal display
`apparatus 100 with the touch panel 20A mounted thereon,
`according to Exemplary Aspect 1, are described as follows.
`FIG. 3 is a graph for representing a relationship between
`contact numbers and charged amounts of liquid crystal
`panels and touch panels. It should be noted that a sample B
`shows the liquid crystal display apparatus 100 having the
`antistatic membrane 41 according to Exemplary Aspect 1,
`and a sample A represents the conventional liquid crystal
`display apparatus which has no such an antistatic membrane.
`In the conventional liquid crystal display apparatus (i.e.,
`sample A), a charged amount is increased in directly pro
`portional to a contact number. In contrast, in the liquid
`crystal display apparatus 100 (i.e., sample B) according to
`Exemplary Aspect 1, even when a contact number is
`increased, there is no change in a charged amount at all.
`0050. Next, FIG. 4 shows a relationship between contact
`numbers and sound levels between liquid crystal panels and
`touch panels. It should also be noted that the sample B shows
`the liquid crystal display apparatus 100 having the antistatic
`membrane 41 according to Exemplary Aspect 1, and the
`sample A represents the conventional liquid crystal display
`apparatus which has no such an antistatic membrane. In the
`conventional liquid crystal display apparatus (i.e., sample
`A), a sound level is increased in directly proportional to a
`contact number. In contrast, in the liquid crystal display
`apparatus 100 (i.e., sample B) according to Exemplary
`Aspect 1, even when a contact number is increased, there is
`no change in a Sound level at all.
`
`Page 17 of 20
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`

`US 2007/004081.6 A1
`
`Feb. 22, 2007
`
`0051) Effects of the liquid crystal display apparatus 100
`with the touch panel 20A mounted thereon according to
`Exemplary Aspect 1 will now be described. As previously
`explained, in the liquid crystal display apparatus 100 with
`the touch panel 20A mounted thereon, the antistatic mem
`brane 41 has been formed on the surface of the upper
`polarizing film 13 on the display plane side of the liquid
`crystal panel 10A under electrically open condition.
`0.052 This structure produces a first effect of Exemplary
`Aspect 1 that it is possible to suppress that the electric
`charges produced by the static electricity are charged to the
`peeled part in a concentrative manner. This is because it is
`Suppressed that the static electricity is concentrated to the
`peeled part in the case where the liquid crystal panel 10A
`and the touch panel 20A are contacted to each other and
`come off each other within the air layer 40.
`0053 A second effect of Exemplary Aspect 1 is achieved
`by that the generation of the Sound can be suppressed. This
`is because in Exemplary Aspect 1, since the concentrative
`electric charges are Suppressed, the vibrations are not ampli
`fied which are synchronized with the amplitudes of the
`common electrode signal.
`0054 Athird effect of Exemplary Aspect 1 is achieved by
`that the thickness of the air layer 40 can be made thin. This
`is because in Exemplary Aspect 1, even if the liquid crystal
`display panel 10A and the touch panel 20A are contacted to
`each other and come off each other within the air la