Touch sensing using shadow and reflective modes
First Claim
1. A method of operating a touch panel system for detecting one or more objects in proximity with a touchable surface of a touch panel, the method comprising:
- scanning at least a portion of the touch panel to measure a level of ambient infrared radiation using at least one infrared sensor;
switching to a shadow mode of operation if the level of ambient infrared radiation exceeds a first threshold;
detecting a first shape of an object adjacent the touch panel while in the shadow mode of operation;
switching to a reflective mode of operation if the level of ambient infrared radiation does not exceed both the first threshold and a second threshold, wherein the switching between the shadow mode and the reflective mode changes an angle of illumination of the object adjacent to the touch panel;
detecting a second shape of the object while in the reflective mode of operation;
analyzing the detected first and second shapes; and
determining a three-dimensional shape and thickness of the object based at least in part on the changes in the angle of illumination analysis of the first and second shapes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch panel is described which uses at least one infrared source and an array of infrared sensors to detect objects which are in contact with, or close to, the touchable surface of the panel. The panel may be operated in both reflective and shadow modes, in arbitrary per-pixel combinations which change over time. For example, if the level of ambient infrared is detected and if that level exceeds a threshold, shadow mode is used for detection of touch events over some or all of the display. If the threshold is not exceeded, reflective mode is used to detect touch events. The touch panel includes an infrared source and an array of infrared sensors.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a touch panel system for detecting one or more objects in proximity with a touchable surface of a touch panel, the method comprising:
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scanning at least a portion of the touch panel to measure a level of ambient infrared radiation using at least one infrared sensor; switching to a shadow mode of operation if the level of ambient infrared radiation exceeds a first threshold; detecting a first shape of an object adjacent the touch panel while in the shadow mode of operation; switching to a reflective mode of operation if the level of ambient infrared radiation does not exceed both the first threshold and a second threshold, wherein the switching between the shadow mode and the reflective mode changes an angle of illumination of the object adjacent to the touch panel; detecting a second shape of the object while in the reflective mode of operation; analyzing the detected first and second shapes; and determining a three-dimensional shape and thickness of the object based at least in part on the changes in the angle of illumination analysis of the first and second shapes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A touch panel system to detect one or more objects in proximity with a touchable surface of the touch panel system, the touch panel system comprising:
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a control element to; scan at least a portion of the touch panel to measure a level of ambient infrared radiation; switch to a shadow mode of operation if the level of ambient infrared radiation exceeds a first threshold; detect a first shape of an object adjacent the touch panel while in the shadow mode of operation; switch to a reflective mode of operation if the level of ambient infrared radiation does not exceed both the first threshold and a second threshold, wherein the switching between the shadow mode and the reflective mode changes an angle of illumination of the object; detect a second shape of the object while in the reflective mode of operation; analyze the detected first and second shapes; and determine a three-dimensional shape of the object based at least in part on the analysis of the first and second shapes; taken together with the other elements of the claim. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a touch panel system for detecting an object in proximity with a touchable surface of the touch panel system, the method comprising:
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detecting a level of ambient infrared light over a portion of the touchable surface; selecting between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for a region of a touch panel according to the level of ambient infrared light, wherein the first mode comprises detecting the object by detecting infrared radiation reflected from the object and wherein the second mode comprises detecting the object by detecting ambient infrared radiation; switching to the second mode of operation after the level of ambient infrared radiation surpasses a threshold; detecting a first shape of the object while in the second mode of operation; switching to the first mode of operation after the level of ambient infrared radiation drops below the threshold, wherein the switching between the first mode and the second mode changes an angle of illumination of the object adjacent the touch panel; detecting a second shape of the object while in the first mode of operation; analyzing the detected first and second shapes; and determining a three-dimensional shape of the object based at least in part on the analysis of the first and second shapes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification