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Edge-coupled touch-sensitive apparatus

  • US 10,268,319 B2
  • Filed: 12/17/2013
  • Issued: 04/23/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A touch-sensitive apparatus, comprising:

  • a light-transmissive panel having a front surface, an opposite rear surface, and a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the front surface and the rear surface;

    a light emitter positioned on a first support structure, said light emitter configured to input light at a first side edge portion, wherein the first support structure is separate from the light-transmissive panel;

    a detector positioned on a second support structure, said detector configured to receive light output through a second side edge portion;

    a light-transmissive sheet laminated over the front surface of the light-transmissive panel, the light-transmissive sheet having a first portion extending beyond the first side edge of the light-transmissive panel, the first portion configured to cover the light emitter and a second portion extending beyond the second side edge of the light transmissive panel, the second portion configured to cover the detector;

    a shielding element positioned between the first support structure and a lower surface of the light-transmissive sheet, the shielding element covering said light emitter, and the shielding element configured to block light having a wavelength range in which the light emitter outputs light;

    wherein the lower surface of the light-transmissive sheet is in optical contact with the front surface of the light-transmissive panel, so as to allow input light to propagate between the light emitter and the detector through the light-transmissive panel and the light-transmissive sheet via total internal reflection between an upper surface of the light-transmissive sheet and the rear surface of the light-transmissive panel;

    wherein at least a first reflection of the input light at the upper surface of the light-transmissive sheet and a second reflection at the rear surface of the light-transmissive panel are at critical angles resulting in total internal reflection of the input light between at least the first reflection and the second reflection; and

    wherein the first reflection and the second reflection are consecutive reflections of the input light.

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