RECONFIGURABLE INTERACTIVE INTERFACE DEVICE INCLUDING AN OPTICAL DISPLAY AND OPTICAL TOUCHPAD THAT USE AEROGEL TO DIRECT LIGHT IN A DESIRED DIRECTION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An interface device including an optical display that can also be used as an optical touchpad, said interface device comprised of:
- a light guide for directing light along a plurality of different light paths;
at least one surface feature disposed in a surface of the light guide, wherein the surface feature enables light to enter and escape from the light guide;
a light bending layer disposed against the surface of the light guide, for bending light that enters and exits the at least one surface feature;
a plurality of light insertion points that enable light to be injected into the light guide;
a plurality of light sources, one light source for each of the plurality of light insertion points; and
a plurality of optical sensors, one optical sensor disposed at each of the light insertion points.
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Abstract
An optical display that can also function as an optical touchpad, wherein a substrate is used as a light guide to provide a plurality of paths for light to travel and arrive at a display region, wherein a unique image is selectively made visible in the display region by choosing to transmit light to the display region through one of the plurality of paths, and wherein optical sensors are also associated with the display region to thereby enable detection of an object that is in contact with at least one display region.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An interface device including an optical display that can also be used as an optical touchpad, said interface device comprised of:
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a light guide for directing light along a plurality of different light paths;
at least one surface feature disposed in a surface of the light guide, wherein the surface feature enables light to enter and escape from the light guide;
a light bending layer disposed against the surface of the light guide, for bending light that enters and exits the at least one surface feature;
a plurality of light insertion points that enable light to be injected into the light guide;
a plurality of light sources, one light source for each of the plurality of light insertion points; and
a plurality of optical sensors, one optical sensor disposed at each of the light insertion points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A reconfigurable optical display, said optical display comprised of:
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a light guide for directing light along a plurality of different light paths;
at least one surface feature disposed in a surface of the light guide, wherein the surface feature enables light to enter and escape from the light guide;
a light bending layer disposed against the surface of the light guide, for bending light that enters and exits the at least one surface feature;
a plurality of light insertion points that enable light to be injected into the light guide;
a plurality of light sources, one light source for each of the plurality of light insertion points. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An optical touchpad, said optical touchpad comprised of:
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a light guide for directing light along a plurality of different light paths;
at least one surface feature disposed in a surface of the light guide, wherein the surface feature enables light to enter and escape from the light guide;
a light bending layer disposed against the surface of the light guide, for bending light that enters and exits the at least one surface feature;
a plurality of light detection points that enable light traveling along specific paths within the light guide to exit therefrom; and
a plurality of optical sensors, one optical sensor disposed at each of the light insertion points. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for displaying symbols and for receiving touch input from the interface device that functions as an optical display and optical touchpad, said method comprising the steps of:
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(1) providing a light guide for directing light along a plurality of different light paths, at least one surface feature disposed in a surface of the light guide, wherein the surface feature enables light to enter and escape from the light guide, a light bending layer disposed against the surface of the light guide, for bending light that enters and exits the at least one surface feature, a plurality of light insertion points that enable light to be injected into the light guide, a plurality of light sources, one light source for each of the plurality of light insertion points, and a plurality of optical sensors, one optical sensor disposed at each of the light insertion points;
(2) operating in an optical display mode by sending a signal to at least one LED to transmit light along a selected light path to at least one surface feature, wherein the light exits the at least one surface feature and is bent by the light bending layer so as to travel outward perpendicular to a surface of the light bending layer. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification