Touch sensor using light control

• US 20040189612A1
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elisa M. Cross, Frank J. Bottari, Paul J. Richter, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh
• Original Assignee: Elisa M. Cross, Frank J. Bottari, Paul J. Richter, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh
• Inventors: Bottari, Frank J., Richter, Paul J., Cross, Elisa M., Moshrefzadeh, Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US10/400,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189612A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/006 Systems in which light light is reflected on a plurality of parallel surfaces, e.g. louvre mirrors, total internal reflection [TIR] lenses Fresnel mirrors G02B5/09, Fresnel lenses G02B3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12061 Silicon
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1323 Arrangements for providing a switchable viewing angle
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/043 using propagating acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

Touch sensing methods and systems implement an optical control layer to direct light through a touch sensor. The optical control layer may be arranged as a structural element of the touch sensor. The structural element incorporating optical control functionality may provide a touch surface of the touch sensor. Processes for manufacturing a light control touch sensor involve providing a structural element that incorporates light control and forming an active touch sensing element on the structural element.

Claims

1. A touch sensing method, comprising:

providing a structural element of a touch sensor; and

controlling directional viewability of light through the touch sensor using the structural element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises a micro-louvered layer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises a substrate of the touch sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises a superstrate of the touch sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises a touch surface of the touch sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is a transparent touch sensor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is a flexible touch sensor.

8. A touch sensor, comprising:

a structural element of the touch sensor configured to control a viewable range of angles through the touch sensor; and

an active element coupled to the structural element and adapted to sense a touch on the touch sensor.

9. The touch sensor of claim 8, wherein the structural element comprises a micro-louvered layer.

10. The touch sensor of claim 8, wherein the active element comprises one or more conductive layers.

11. The touch sensor of claim 10, wherein the one or more conductive layers comprises a transparent conductive oxide.

12. The touch sensor of claim 10, wherein the one or more conductive layers comprises a conductive polymer.

13. The touch sensor of claim 8, wherein the touch sensor is a capacitive touch sensor.

14. The touch sensor of claim 8, wherein the touch sensor is a resistive touch sensor.

15. The touch sensor of claim 8, further comprising a control system coupled to the touch sensor and configured to determine a touch location on the touch sensor.

16. The touch sensor of claim 8, further comprising a display, configured to display information through the optical control layer.

17. The touch sensor of claim 16, further comprising a processor coupled to the display and adapted to process touch location information and data to be displayed on the display.

18. A touch sensor, comprising:

a structural element comprising an optical control layer for controlling a viewable range of angles through the touch sensor; and

an active element coupled to the optical control layer, the active element adapted to sense a touch on the optical control layer.

19. The sensor of claim 18, wherein the optical control layer comprises a micro-louvered layer.

20. The sensor of claim 18, wherein the touch sensor is a transparent touch sensor.

21. The sensor of claim 18, wherein the active element comprises one or more force touch sensor.

22. The sensor of claim 18, wherein the active element comprises a plurality of conductive sensor bars.

23. The sensor of claim 18, wherein the touch sensor is a surface acoustic wave touch sensor.

24. The sensor of claim 18, wherein the touch sensor is an infrared touch sensor.

25. The touch sensor of claim 18, further comprising a control system coupled to the touch sensor and configured to determine a touch location on the touch sensor.

26. The touch sensor of claim 18, further comprising a display, configured to display information through the optical control layer.

27. The touch sensor of claim 18, further comprising a processor coupled to the display and adapted to process touch location information and data to be displayed on the display.

28. A process for manufacturing a touch sensor, comprising:

providing a structural element of the touch sensor adapted to control the viewing angle of the transparent touch sensor; and

forming an active element coupled to the structural element, the active element adapted to sense a touch on the touch sensor.

29. The process of claim 28, wherein the structural element is a substrate.

30. The process of claim 28, wherein the structural element is a superstrate.

31. The process of claim 28, wherein the structural element comprises a touch surface of the touch sensor.

32. The process of claim 28, wherein the optical control layer is a micro-louvered layer.

33. The process of claim 28, wherein the active element is a conductive layer.

34. The process of claim 33, wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive polymer.