Apparatus and method for a molded waveguide for use with touch screen displays
US7471865B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49117
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for an inexpensive, simple to make, self-aligning molded waveguide made of an optically transparent material and that can be used to generate a grid or lamina of light for use with touch screen displays. The molded waveguide substrate includes a plurality of lenses and a plurality of waveguide grooves corresponding to the plurality of integral lenses respectively. After the substrate is molded, the grooves are filled with an optically transparent material to optically couple and align the plurality of lenses and the plurality of grooves respectively. In one application, the molded waveguide substrate is positioned adjacent a touch screen device. A light transmitter and an imaging device are optically coupled to the molded waveguide substrate, and a processing device is coupled to the imaging device. The processing device is configured to determine a data entry to the touch screen by deciphering the coordinates of an interrupt in the light created in the free space adjacent the touch screen device when a data entry is being made to the touch screen device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.