Tag Archives: metal mesh

3M’s metal mesh touch screen patents and lawsuits interview

August 24, 2018  By Jennifer Colegrove, Ph.D. Principal Analyst, Touch Display Research Inc.

This week 3M announced a patent infringement lawsuit again a touch panel supplier Tovis, its subsidiary Tovis North America, and Scientific Games Corporation. The suit alleges that certain Tovis touch display products which are used by Scientific Games in their gaming machines infringe 3M’s U.S. Patents 8,179,381; 9,823,786; 8,274,494; and 8,704,799.

In the “ITO-replacement: transparent conductor market 2017 report, Seventh edition”, Touch Display Research profiled over three hundred companies working on non-ITO transparent conductors. Metal mesh is one of the most popular transparent conductor materials and is widely used in projected capacitive touch sensors for smart phones, active pen touch tablets and notebooks, and in large-format, digital touch signage.

Figure: ITO Replacement 2017 Report

Source: Touch Display Research Inc., ITO-Replacement Report, February 2017

Earlier this year, 3M filed a similar patent infringement lawsuit against Elo Touch Solutions Inc.

“3M invests substantially in research and development to create innovative products for our customers,” said Makoto Ishii, vice president and general manager, 3M Display Materials and Systems Division. “We will defend our intellectual property protecting those investments against unauthorized use and infringement by metal mesh manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and others making use of 3M’s intellectual property rights.”

Touch Display Research interviewed Mr. Scott Hagermoser, Global Business Manager of 3M Touch Systems about metal mesh patents and the lawsuit. I asked that since metal mesh is a widely used ITO-replacement transparent conductor, what was the optimal result that 3M expected from this legal action. Mr. Hagermoser indicated, “3M doesn’t want to be overly disruptive to the touch industry; we are not a patent troll organization. We offer to license our metal mesh technologies so we can get compensation for our investment.”

Metal mesh suppliers have different patterns and structures, such as one film with two sides of metal mesh, or two films where each side has one metal mesh.  I asked if it was possible that some metal mesh companies could avoid 3M’s metal mesh patents. Mr. Hagermoser indicated 3M had many claims in their metal mesh patents, and the details have to be left to the lawyers and engineers to figure out.

I asked if 3M is also suing Microsoft for the metal mesh, Mr. Hagermoser said that he won’t comment on that.

I’ve been the first industry analyst to write market research reports about the touch screen industry since 2006. When I saw the trends of new transparent conductive material used on touch screens, I published the industry’s first “ITO-Replacement: Transparent Conductor Market Report” in 2013. Many touch screen manufacturers, display manufacturers, OEM/ODMs are my good industry friends. I don’t like to see them sue each other. However, on the other hand, I don’t like the thought of intellectual property theft. We should play the game fairly. I recommend when your company manufactures or purchases metal mesh touch screens, you inquire if that touch screen is clear from others patents.

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Jennifer Colegrove and team

Cisco’s Spark Board touch screen is using ITO-replacement

March 7, 2017

Microsoft’s Surface Hub brought interactive whiteboard to a higher level last year.

In October 2016, Google announced it will release 55 inch Jamboard interactive whiteboard to the market in 2017 to compete with Surface Hub. But the Jamboard is still not available yet at this moment.

On January 24th, 2017, Cisco announced its Spark Board and joined the competition. Cisco is moving faster than Google: the Spark Board became available in end of January. People can purchase the 55 inch Spark Board right now for $4990 plus a monthly fee of $199. Cisco will release a 70” version in end of this year for $9,990.

Figure: Cisco Spark Board

Cisco spark

Source: Cisco

Touch Display Research believes the Spark Board touch sensor is using metal mesh or silver nanowire transparent conductors.

In the ITO Replacement—Non-ITO Transparent Conductor Technologies, Supply Chain and Market Forecast 2017 Report, seventh edition, Touch Display Research profiled over 300 companies and research institutes working on advanced transparent conductive (TC) materials. The report provides a detailed analysis of metal mesh, silver nanowire, carbon nano tube (CNT), conductive polymer, graphene, and other technologies.

Figure: ITO replacement 2017 report

ITO replacement 2017 cover1

Source: Touch Display Research Inc., 2017

Our survey found that the ITO-replacement transparent conductive material industry had grown over 10 time from 2012 to 2017. Touch Display Research forecasted that non-ITO transparent conductors will continue to have rapid growth in the next several years.

Many companies’ metal mesh characters are compared in one chart in the Excel database, and the silver nanowires of many companies are also compared in one chart in the report.

The “ITO-replacement Technologies and Market Forecast 2017 Report” Seventh Edition is available immediately.

PowerPoint file >500 pages
Excel database Profiles >300 companies. 5 years history data: 2012- 2016 and 8 years forecasts from 2017 to 2024. Units, ASP, Revenue. List of all ITO-replacement devices and suppliers; comparisons of many metal mesh, many silver nanowire
Published time February, 13th,  2017
Price $5800 for company with <5 user. $6800 for company with 5 or more users
Bonus Client can have a 30-minute free phone call with the author: Dr. Jennifer Colegrove, within 3 months of the purchase

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Jennifer Colegrove and team

C3Nano raised $37 million—value in the ITO replacement

Feb 27, 2017

Recently, C3Nano just announced it has raised $15 million in equity financing, this brings their total equity financing to $37 million since its 2010 inception.

ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) used to be the main stream transparent conductive material for touch screens. However, in recently several years, other advanced transparent conductive materials, such as metal mesh, silver nanowire, carbon nano tube (CNT), conductive polymer, are replacing ITO.

In the recently published “ITO Replacement—Non-ITO Transparent Conductor Technologies, Supply Chain and Market Forecast 2017 Report,” Touch Display Research profiled over 300 companies and research institutes working on advanced transparent conductive (TC) materials.

Figure: ITO replacement 2017 report

ITO replacement 2017 cover1

Source: Touch Display Research Inc., ITO-replacement report, February 2017

Our survey found that the ITO-replacement industry had a shake out. Some suppliers ceased business or changed method. Some suppliers who had improved their quality and expanded to large sizes, are expanding to more markets. Touch Display Research forecasted that non-ITO transparent conductors will have rapid growth in the next several years.

The “ITO-replacement Technologies and Market Forecast 2017 Report” Seventh Edition is available immediately.

PowerPoint file >500 pages
Excel database Profiles >300 companies. 5 years history data: 2012- 2016 and 8 years forecasts from 2017 to 2024. Units, ASP, Revenue. List of all ITO-replacement devices and suppliers; comparisons of many metal mesh, many silver nanowire
Published time February, 13th,  2017
Price $5800 for company with <5 user. $6800 for company with 5 or more users
Bonus Client can have a 30-minute free phone call with the author: Dr. Jennifer Colegrove, within 3 months of the purchase

 

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Jennifer Colegrove and team

Touch screen with ITO-replacement going to mainstream

June 15, 2016

Touch screen with ITO-replacement is gaining momentum for >50-inch sizes category. We can see this trend at SID 2016 DisplayWeek.

3M showed 55-inch touch table with metal mesh touch screen.

C3Nano demonstrated 55-inch silver nanowire transparent conductor touch display.

Microsoft’s keynote discussed their 55-inch and 84-inch interactive Surface Hub that can sense both finger touch and active pen.

In the ITO Replacement—Non-ITO Transparent Conductor Technologies, Supply Chain and Market Forecast 2016 Report, sixth edition, Touch Display Research analyzed over 240 companies and research institutes working on advanced transparent conductive (TC) materials. The report provides a detailed analysis of metal mesh, silver nanowire, carbon nano tube (CNT), conductive polymer, graphene, and other technologies.

Touch Display Research forecasts that the ITO-replacement market will reach $13 billion by 2023.

Figure: ITO replacement comparison chart

ITO replacement compare with TDR2016

Source: Touch Display Research Inc., ITO-Replacement Report, 2016

The ITO-replacement industry has made good progress in the touch panel and other applications in the past two years. However, not all companies are growing and you need to be very selective. The specifications of over thirty metal mesh suppliers are compared side-by-side in one chart in the Excel database.

We forecast that ITO-replacement will become the major transparent conductor for touch panels after 2021. ITO will be the minor transparent conductor for touch panels.

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Jennifer Colegrove and team

 

 

 

Two new quantum dot companies; metal mesh adopted in home appliances

May 4, 2016

The emerging display and touch industry are constantly changing. We want to make sure our clients have the best market intelligence to stay on top of the trends.

Quantum dot display component and lighting market will grow to $10.8 Billion by 2026. There are two new companies joined the quantum dot supply chain recently. Their reported spectrum Full Width of Half Maximum (FWHM) is less than 20 nm for green color. How did they achieve that? What type of material are they using? What’s their business plan?

Figure: New quantum dot companies

Touch and emerging cover 2016 April

source: Touch Display Research, April 2016

ITO-replacement industry is growing rapidly, but not all companies are growing. Metal mesh touch panels made big progress recently–were adopted in home appliances in the market. Some ITO-replacement companies are acquired by others. Some companies are narrowing their business focus. Some companies are expanding to more products now. Which companies are those? What’s the impact?

Our mission is to empower your business strategic planning for the future. More detail analysis can be found in the Touch and Emerging Display monthly report.  The report is $600 per month, or $1990 for one year (12 monthly reports).

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team

Kodak touch sensor after UniPixel

July 15, 2015

I recently had a chance to interview Kodak’s VP of Functional Printing group, Mr. Brian Marks. Mr. Marks indicated Kodak is currently working on two metal mesh technologies: 1. Silver metal mesh, and 2. Copper metal mesh.

As we covered before in Touch and Emerging Display monthly report, UniPixel bought the Atmel’s XSense business and facility in Colorado in April 2015.

On April 27, 2015, Kodak announced it is committed to moving forward independently with development of copper mesh touch sensor technology, following UniPixel’s decision to withdraw from joint activities with Kodak.

“We are pleased to have full control over the technology development program and excited about the business opportunities ahead. We expect to have products based on this technology in the market before the end of this year,” said Philip Cullimore, President – Enterprise Inkjet Systems Division and Micro 3D Printing & Packaging Division.

UniPixel and Kodak signed partnership agreement back in 2013. But after about 2 years, the partnership broke up.

In the recently published “ITO-replacement: non-ITO transparent conductor technologies and market forecast 2015 report“, Touch Display Research forecast the non-ITO transparent conductor market will have rapid growth and reach $10.9 billion in 2022.

Figure: ITO-replacement market forecast.

ITO replacement forecast2015

Source: Touch Display Research Inc. ITO-replacement 2015 report.

More analyst about Kodak touch sensor technologies, supply chain and business will be in the “Touch and Emerging Display monthly report”, July 2015 issue.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team

SID 2015 advanced and comprehensive exhibitor: BOE

June 8, 2015

SID 2015 DisplayWeek was held in San Jose, California last week. We blogged about the SID Monday Seminar last week.

Here is the summary of exhibitions at SID 2015. This year there were about 195 exhibitors at the show floor. After visit the whole exhibitions for 3 days, my conclusion is that this year one of the most advanced and comprehensive exhibitor is BOE.  BOE not only demoed a 10K LCD, (see picture here), but also showed metal mesh touch screen, AMOLED display, quantum dot display and more.

Figure: BOE 82 inch 10K display at SID 2015 DisplayWeek.

BOE 10K TDR

Photo by: Touch Display Research Inc.

The interesting thing is that Samsung is no-show at this year’s SID. In the past several years, Samsung had always put together one of the most splendid booth and showcase the “world’s first”, or “world’s largest”, or the “world’s most advanced” at SID. But at this year’s SID, Samsung completely no show, no paper.  It seems Samsung is following Apple’s example: no show, no paper at SID.

Figure: Samsung’s booth at last year’s SID 2014 DisplayWeek.

Samsung OLED sid14

Photo by: Touch Display Research Inc.

More analysis about BOE, Samsung, Apple, OLED, quantum dot, metal mesh, and silver nanowire will be in the “Touch and Emerging Display monthly report”, June 2015 issue.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team

Atmel exits metal mesh

February 9, 2015

On February 4th, 2015, Atmel announced it decided to exit the XSense (Metal mesh type ITO-replacement) business.

It’s sad to see Atmel closing the Xsense fab in Colorado. I actually toured the XSense cleanroom in Colorado fab in November 2013.

As we wrote three months ago, in our “ITO-replacement: non-ITO transparent conductor technology and market forecast report”, 4th edition, “Metal mesh transparent conductor is facing obstacles due to optical and yield issues. Metal mesh manufacturers need to consider new strategies to increase market share.”

Figure. ITO replacement report 4th edition

ITO replacement 4th edition cover

Source: Touch Display Research, November 2014.

This report profiles over 220 companies and research institutes working on advanced transparent conductive (TC) materials and provides a detailed analysis of metal mesh, carbon nano tube (CNT), conductive polymer, silver nanowire, graphene, and other technologies.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team

Cambrios silver nanowire in One Film Solution touch panel

October 7, 2014
This week, Cambrios announced its new generation silver nanowire. The new silver nanowire is thinner than DNA, which is about 2nm. Cambrios claims silver nanowire is leaving behind other ITO-replacement technologies such as metal mesh.
At the same time, touch panel manufacturer, Henghao Technology, indicated they’ve adopted silver nanowire on the One Film Solution (OFS) touch panels.

Figure. ITO-replacement comparison chart
ITO replacement compare with TDR
Source: Touch Display Research Inc., ITO-replacement report, May 2014

In the Touch Display Research “ITO-replacement report”, we profiles over 220 companies and research institutes working on advanced transparent conductive (TC) materials and provides a detailed analysis of metal mesh, silver nanowire, carbon nano tube (CNT), conductive polymer, graphene, and other technologies.
Touch Display Research forecasts that the non-ITO transparent conductor market will reach $8.1 billion by 2021.
One Film Solution and flexible touch screen will be analyzed in our “Touch and Emerging Display” monthly report.

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer and team

3M announced metal mesh, silver nanowire and ITO film

December 17, 2013

It’s not a secret that 3M is developing metal mesh. What pleasantly surprised me is that 3M officially announced all 3 transparent conductor films: metal mesh film, silver nanowire film with Cambrios and ITO film.

I had the chance to talk to 3M’s marketing manager, Mr. Erik Lood, recently.  I asked him why you supply ITO film and ITO-replacement film at the same time. He indicated, “We want to offer our customers all the choices: good, better, best. Customers can choose.”

Touch Display Research forecast ITO-replacement market will grow from $206 million this year to $4 Billion by 2020.

How visible is 3M’s metal mesh lines? I’ll find out when I meet 3M in a few weeks.

More analysis can be found in our “Touch and Emerging Display report” December 2013 issue and Jan 2014 issue.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team