National Science and Technology Development Agency
대리인 / 주소
Reed Smith LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
17인용 특허 :
6
초록▼
Optical touch switches are implemented based on the use of light total internal reflection and light scattering concepts. The optical touch switch basically consists of a light source, a light guide, a photodetector, and an electronic controller. The fingertip touching on the touching surface of the
Optical touch switches are implemented based on the use of light total internal reflection and light scattering concepts. The optical touch switch basically consists of a light source, a light guide, a photodetector, and an electronic controller. The fingertip touching on the touching surface of the optical touch switch leads to the change in electrical current produced by the photodetector. As a result, the electronic control box senses this change of electrical current and allows the electrical load to stay at the desired state. Key advantages include ease of implementation, prevention of the light beam incident directly on the user's eyes, and ability to accept both strong and weak mechanical forces from users.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus for an optical touch switch being operated by contact, comprising:an optical touch switch having at least one touching surface;a light source for illuminating the optical touch switch and generating an optical beam that senses a mechanical activating force applied on the at least one
1. An apparatus for an optical touch switch being operated by contact, comprising:an optical touch switch having at least one touching surface;a light source for illuminating the optical touch switch and generating an optical beam that senses a mechanical activating force applied on the at least one touching surface of the optical touch switch;a light guide operationally connected to said at least one touching surface such that total internal reflection or light scattering of said optical beam is generated due to application of said mechanical activating force;at least one photodetector for detecting light due to internal reflection or light scattering phenomenon;a plurality of imaging systems for controlling a size of said optical beam and a direction of light propagation for said optical beam;wherein at least one of said plurality of imaging systems is placed between said light source and said at least one photodetector;a plurality of spatial filters for controlling the size of said optical beam and said direction of light propagation and for suppressing unwanted optical noise,wherein at least one of said plurality of spatial filters is positioned adjacent to one of said plurality of imaging systems, another of said plurality of spatial filters is positioned adjacent to said light guide, and said at least one photodetector is positioned adjacent to at least one of said spatial filters; andan electronic control box for sensing changes of an electrical current produced by at least one photodetector and for controlling an electrical load connected at an output of said electronic box,wherein a size, a direction of light propagation and reduction of unwanted optical noise of said optical beam from said light source are controlled by said imaging system, anda size, a direction of light propagation and reduction of unwanted optical noise of said optical beam from said light guide are controlled by said spatial filters. 2. The optical touch switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light guide is a triangle prism. 3. The optical touch switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light guide is a Rhomboid prism. 4. The optical touch switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light guide is a Dove prism. 5. The optical touch switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light guide is a penta prism or polyangle prism. 6. The optical touch switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light guide is a slab rectangular light guide made from plastic, glass, or polymer. 7. The optical touch switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light guide is an optical fiber made from at least one of glass, plastic, and polymer. 8. The optical touch switch apparatus as set forth in any of claims 2 - 7 ,wherein said light guide is one of a triangle prism, a Rhomboid prism, a penta prism, a polyangle prism, a slab rectangular light guide made from plastic, glass, or polymer, and an optical fiber made from at least one of glass, plastic, and polymer; andwherein the light guide has at least one touching surface. 9. The optical touch switch apparatus as set forth in any of claims 2 - 7 , wherein a total internal reflection point positioned along a touching surface of said light guide has at least one point. 10. The optical touch switch apparatus as set forth in any of claims 2 - 7 , wherein said light scattering phenomenon along said touching surface of said light guide occurs at least at one point. 11. The optical touch switch apparatus as set forth in any of claims 2 - 7 , wherein a surface of said touching surface of said light guide is divided into a light diffusing area, a light blocking area, and a sensing area.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (6)
Alles, Harold G.; Kubik, Peter S., Deformable touch sensitive surface.
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