Avoiding optical effects of touch on liquid crystal display

• US 8,427,439 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2009
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Larsen, Glen C., Large, Timothy Andrew, Emerton, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): HALEY, JOSEPH R
• Application Number:
  US12/422,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20100259488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,471 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0046 Tapered light guide, e.g. wedge-shaped light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133317 Intermediate frames, e.g. between backlight housing and front frame
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display

Abstract

Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the avoidance of undesirable optical effects in a liquid crystal display used with a touch-sensitive display input device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface comprising a body, a light source disposed within the body, and a liquid crystal display configured to create an image displayable on one or more display surfaces coupled to the body. The user interface device further includes a light delivery system positioned optically between the light source and the liquid crystal display to deliver light produced by the light source to the liquid crystal display. The light delivery system comprises a light exit surface spaced from the liquid crystal display to form a gap positioned between the light exit surface of the light delivery system and the liquid crystal display.

Claims

1. A user interface device, comprising:

a body comprising a support surface;

a light source disposed within the body;

a liquid crystal display configured to receive and dynamically modulate light produced by the light source to create an image displayable on one or more display surfaces coupled with the body;

a support sheet joined to a light exit surface of the liquid crystal display, the support sheet comprising a perimeter region that extends beyond an outer edge of the liquid crystal display and over the support surface of the body; and

a light delivery system positioned optically between the light source and the liquid crystal display to deliver light produced by the light source to the liquid crystal display, the light delivery system comprising a light exit surface spaced from the liquid crystal display to form a gap positioned between the light exit surface of the light delivery system and a light input surface of the liquid crystal display, wherein the liquid crystal display is positioned between the support sheet and the light delivery system.

2. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the perimeter region of the support sheet contacts the support surface of the body.

3. The user interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

a seal disposed on the support surface, wherein the seal contacts the support sheet.

4. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display contacts the body.

5. The user interface device of claim 1, further comprising:

a seal disposed on the support surface, wherein the seal contacts the liquid crystal display.

6. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the support sheet has a thickness in a range of 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters.

7. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the support sheet comprises an optical coating that comprises one or more of a hot minor and an antireflective coating.

8. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the support sheet is integrated with one or more optical elements configured to modify light from the liquid crystal display.

9. The user interface device of claim 8, wherein the one or more optical elements comprise graded index lenses.

10. The user interface device of claim 8, wherein the one or more optical elements comprise light divergence inhibitors.

11. A user interface device, comprising:

a body;

a keypad comprising a plurality of actuatable keys;

a light source;

a liquid crystal display configured to receive and dynamically modulate light produced by the light source to create a plurality of display images that are respectively projected onto the plurality of actuatable keys; and

an optical waveguide positioned optically between the light source and the liquid crystal display to deliver light produced by the light source to the liquid crystal display, the optical waveguide comprising a light exit surface spaced from the liquid crystal display to form a gap positioned between the light exit surface of the optical waveguide and a light input surface of the liquid crystal display; and

a support sheet joined to a light exit surface of the liquid crystal display, the support sheet comprising one or more graded index lenses and a perimeter region that interfaces with the body to space the liquid crystal display from the optical waveguide.

12. The user interface device of claim 11, wherein the body comprises a seal-supporting surface, and wherein the user interface device further comprises:

a seal disposed on the seal-supporting surface, wherein one or more of the support sheet and the liquid crystal display contacts the seal.

13. The user interface device of claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of light divergence inhibitors, each of the plurality of light divergence inhibitors being optically positioned between the support sheet and a corresponding key of the plurality of actuatable keys.

14. The user interface device of claim 13, wherein the support sheet is molded such that the plurality of light divergence inhibitors is integral to the support sheet.

15. The user interface device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of light divergence inhibitors is joined to the support sheet with an adhesive.

16. A user interface device, comprising:

a body comprising an opening with a seal-supporting surface;

a seal disposed on the seal-supporting surface;

a keypad disposed within the opening of the body and comprising a plurality of actuatable keys;

a light source disposed within the body;

a liquid crystal display configured to receive and dynamically modulate light produced by the light source to create a plurality of display images that are respectively projected onto the plurality of actuatable keys;

a support sheet joined to a light exit surface of the liquid crystal display, the support sheet comprising an optical coating that comprises one or more of a hot minor and an anti-reflective coating and a perimeter region that extends beyond an outer edge of the liquid crystal display and that contacts the seal; and

an optical waveguide positioned optically between the light source and the liquid crystal display to deliver light produced by the light source to the liquid crystal display, the optical waveguide comprising a light exit surface spaced from the liquid crystal display to form a gap positioned between the light exit surface of the optical waveguide and a light input surface of the liquid crystal display.

17. The user interface device of claim 16, further comprising:

a plurality of light divergence inhibitors, each of the plurality of light divergence inhibitors being optically positioned between the support sheet and a corresponding key of the plurality of actuatable keys.