Instrument detection with an optical touch sensitive device
US9791976B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04109
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical touch-sensitive device detects touch events caused by instruments (e.g., pens, styluses) and distinguishes these events from touch events caused by fingers. In some embodiments, different instruments can also be distinguished. The optical touch-sensitive device includes multiple emitters and detectors. Each emitter produces optical beams which are received by the detectors. The optical beams preferably are multiplexed in a manner so that many optical beams can be received by a detector simultaneously. Touch events disturb the optical beams, for example due to frustrated total internal reflection. Information indicating which optical beams have been disturbed is analyzed to detect one or more touch events. The analysis also distinguishes instrument touch events from finger touch events.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.