Pressure sensing touch systems and methods
US10228799B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04109
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Pressure-sensing touch systems and methods are disclosed for sensing the occurrence of a touch event based on pressure applied at a touch location. The touch system includes a light-source system and a detector system operably adjacent respective input and output edges of a waveguide. Pressure at a touch location on the waveguide gives rise to a touch event causes the waveguide to bend or flex. The waveguide bending causes a change in the optical paths of light traveling by FTIR, causing the light distribution in the output light to change. The changes are detected and are used to determine whether a touch event occurred, as well as the time-evolution of the touch event. The changes in the output light can include polarization changes caused by birefringence induced in the waveguide by the applied pressure applied. Various detector configurations are disclosed for sensing the location and pressure of a touch event.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.