Touch sensitive projection screen

• US 20070139397A1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Cross, Elisa
• Granted Patent: US 9,442,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/003 Light absorbing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/60 characterised by the nature of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

An optical device and a projection system incorporating same is disclosed. The optical device includes a light management element. The light management element includes an electrically conductive light absorber that is disposed in a display area for controlling a viewing angle of light transmitted through the display area. The conductive light absorber is configured to generate a signal in response to a touch in the display area. The signal is capable of being used to determine information related to the touch.

Claims

1. An optical device comprising a light management element comprising an electrically conductive light absorber disposed in a display area for controlling a viewing angle of light transmitted through the display area, the conductive light absorber configured to generate a signal in response to a touch in the display area, the signal capable of being used to determine information related to the touch.

2. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the light management element is optically diffusive.

3. The optical device of claim 2, wherein the light management element comprises particles having a first index dispersed in a host material having a second index different than the first index.

4. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the light management element is capable of displaying an image projected onto the light management element.

5. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the signal is capable of being used to determine the touch location.

6. The optical device of claim 1 further comprising an optically transmissive electrically conductive layer disposed in the display area, wherein the signal is generated when the conductive light absorber makes an electrical contact with the optically transmissive electrically conductive layer in response to the touch.

7. A projection screen comprising the optical device of claim 1.

8. A projection system comprising a projector capable of projecting an image onto an image plane;

and the optical device of claim 1 disposed in the image plane.

9. An optical system comprising a display element capable of displaying information in a display region of the display element;

and the optical device of claim 1 disposed in the display region.

11. A projection system comprising the optical device of claim 6.

10. An optical device comprising:

a projection screen capable of displaying an image projected onto the screen and having an electrically conductive light absorber; and

an optically transmissive electrically conductive layer facing the screen, wherein the conductive light absorber is configured to generate a signal when a touch causes the conductive light absorber to make an electrical contact with the optically transmissive electrically conductive layer, the signal capable of being used to determine information related to the touch.

12. A touch sensor comprising one or more electrically conductive light absorbing elements disposed in an optically transmissive touch sensitive area, the one or more light absorbing elements being configured to generate a signal in response to a touch applied to the touch sensitive area from a touch side of the touch sensor, the signal capable of being used to determine information related to the touch.

13. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the one or more electrically conductive light absorbing elements absorb a substantial portion of light illuminating the touch sensor from the touch side.