Optical incoupling for touch-sensitive systems
US9552103B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04109
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A touch-sensitive apparatus comprises a light transmissive panel, an illumination arrangement and a detection arrangement. The illumination arrangement is configured to couple light into the panel via an incoupling site such that the light propagates by total internal reflection in opposite top and bottom surfaces of the panel and such that an object touching the top or bottom surface causes a change in the propagating light. The detection arrangement comprises a light detector arranged to detect the change in the propagating light. A compact and robust incoupling site is defined by a sheet-like micro-structured surface portion which is fixedly arranged on one of the top and bottom surfaces and configured to transmit light having an angle of incidence that enables light propagation by TIR inside the panel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.