Optical coupler for use in an optical touch sensitive device
US9170683B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04109
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical touch-sensitive device is able to determine the locations of multiple simultaneous touch events. The optical touch-sensitive device includes multiple emitters and detectors coupled with an optical coupler assembly through a waveguide on the surface on the optical-touch sensitive device. The coupler may be side coupled or edge coupled to the waveguide. For both the side coupled or edge coupled cases, the coupler may also be configured to reorient beams to accommodate any orientation of emitters and detectors with respect to the waveguide. The coupler may also be configured to translate beams laterally or vertically to accommodate any position of emitters and detectors. The coupler, and touch-sensitive device more generally, are also configured to prevent ambient light entering the waveguide from hitting the emitters and detectors. Each emitter produces optical beams which are received by the detectors. Touch events disturb the optical beams.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.