Optical touch switcing device
First Claim
1. An optical touch switching device, comprises:
- a plurality of switch operating surfaces engageable by an operator'"'"'s finger;
a light emitting device corresponding to each of the plurality of switches;
a photodetector;
a light guiding member between the light emitting devices and the switch operating surfaces;
wherein the light guiding member transmits light from the light emitting device and an operator'"'"'s finger reflects the light when the finger is spaced a distance from any one of the switch operating surfaces, and the light guiding member transmits light from the light emitting device and an operator'"'"'s finger reflects the light when the finger spaced less than the distance from any one of the switch operating surfaces, thereby enabling determination of operation of the switch by an output from the photodetector.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical touch switching device includes a plurality of switches using a light emitting device and a photodetector. The light emitting device is provided for each switch, while at least one photodetector is provided. A light guiding member is provided between the light emitting device and the switch operating surface. When a finger does not approach or come in contact with the operating surface, the outgoing light from the light emitting device is transmitted through the light guiding member to emit light outwardly. When a finger approaches or comes in contact with the operating surface, the outgoing light is reflected by the finger and guided to the photodetector through the light guiding member. Judgment of switch operation can be performed by the output of the photodetector. The thickness of the light guiding member can be varied for a optical switch device having switch surfaces at different elevations.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An optical touch switching device, comprises:
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a plurality of switch operating surfaces engageable by an operator'"'"'s finger;
a light emitting device corresponding to each of the plurality of switches;
a photodetector;
a light guiding member between the light emitting devices and the switch operating surfaces;
wherein the light guiding member transmits light from the light emitting device and an operator'"'"'s finger reflects the light when the finger is spaced a distance from any one of the switch operating surfaces, and the light guiding member transmits light from the light emitting device and an operator'"'"'s finger reflects the light when the finger spaced less than the distance from any one of the switch operating surfaces, thereby enabling determination of operation of the switch by an output from the photodetector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An optical touch switching device, comprises:
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a switch operating surface engageable by an operator'"'"'s finger;
a light emitting device on one side of the switch operating surface;
a photodetector on the one side of the switch operating surface; and
a light guiding member between the light emitting device and the switch operating surface, the light guiding member includes a surface that transmits light that is incident to the surface in a perpendicular direction and reflects light that is incident to the surface in an oblique direction;
wherein light from the light emitting device passes through the light guiding member and outwardly of the switch operating surface when an operator'"'"'s finger is at least a distance away from the switch operating surface, and light reflects off an operator'"'"'s finger and into the light guiding member when the finger is less than the distance away from the switch operating surface;
wherein the light guiding member transmits the reflected light to the photodetector to generate an output indicating switch operation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification