METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TOMOGRAPHIC TOUCH IMAGING AND INTERACTIVE SYSTEM USING SAME
First Claim
1. A touch screen comprising a panel capable of conducting signals and a tomograph adjacent the panel including signal flow ports arrayed around the border of the panel at discrete locations whereby signals can be introduced into the panel to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations for being detected and tomographically processed to determine if any change occurred to signals due to the panel being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determine any local area on the panel where a change occurred, said tomograph computing and outputting a signal indicative of a panel touch and location.
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Abstract
A touch screen in the form of a panel is capable of conducting signals and a tomograph including signal flow ports is positioned adjacent the panel with the signal flow ports arrayed around the border of the panel at discrete locations. Signals are introduced into the panel to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations for being detected and tomographically processed to determine if any change occurred to signals due to the panel being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determine any local area on the panel where a change occurred. The tomograph computes and outputs a signal indicative of a panel touch and location, which can be shown on a display.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A touch screen comprising a panel capable of conducting signals and a tomograph adjacent the panel including signal flow ports arrayed around the border of the panel at discrete locations whereby signals can be introduced into the panel to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations for being detected and tomographically processed to determine if any change occurred to signals due to the panel being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determine any local area on the panel where a change occurred, said tomograph computing and outputting a signal indicative of a panel touch and location.
- 10. An interactive system comprising a transparent panel, a display located behind the panel visible through the panel, a tomograph adjacent the panel including signal flow ports arrayed around the border of the panel at discrete locations whereby signals can be introduced into the panel to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations for being detected and tomographically processed to determine if any change occurred to signals due to the panel being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determine any local area on the panel where a change occurred, said tomograph computing an output indicative of panel touches and location, and controlling the display responsive to said output.
- 14. A method for determining touch on a screen comprising the steps of establishing a panel capable of conducting signals, associating a tomograph having signal flow ports adjacent the panel, arraying the signal flow ports around the border of the panel at discrete locations, introducing signals into the panel via the signal flow ports to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations, detecting and tomographically processing signals passed through said panel to determine if any change occurred in the panel by being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determining any local area on the panel where a change occurred, and outputting a signal indicative of panel touch and location.
- 17. A method for operating an interactive system comprising the steps of providing a transparent panel, locating a display behind the panel visible through the panel, arranging a tomograph including signal flow ports adjacent the panel, arraying the signal flow ports around the border of the panel at discrete locations, introducing signals into the panel to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations, detecting and tomographically processing signals passed through the panel to determine if any change occurred to signals due to the panel being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determining any local area on the panel where a change occurred, generating an output indicative of panel touch and location, and controlling the display responsive to said output.
Specification