Communication with a Touch Screen

• US 20080122792A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Izadi, Shahram, Butler, David Alexander, Hodges, Stephen, Rrustemi, Alban
• Granted Patent: US 8,269,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04109 FTIR in optical digitiser, i.e. touch detection by frustrating the total internal reflection within an optical waveguide due to changes of optical properties or deformation at the touch location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A touch panel is arranged to enable communication using infrared signals with nearby devices. The touch panel includes an array of infrared sensors, arranged parallel to the touchable surface of the panel and at least one of the sensors is capable of detecting an infrared signal received from a nearby device.

Claims

1. A touch panel system for detecting one or more objects in proximity with a touchable surface of the touch panel system, the touch panel system comprising:

a touch panel having integrated therein an array of infrared sensors parallel to the touchable surface, wherein at least one of the infrared sensors is able to detect an infrared signal received from a device.

2. A touch panel system according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises one of said one or more objects in proximity with said touchable surface.

3. A touch panel system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a processor arranged to control the image displayed on said touch panel based on the detected infrared signal.

4. A touch panel system according to claim 3, wherein said processor is arranged to display a pointer icon on said touch panel based on said detected infrared signal.

5. A touch panel system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a computer vision system arranged to analyze signals generated by at least one of the infrared sensors in response to detection of an infrared signal.

6. A touch panel system according to claim 3, wherein said processor is further arranged to control said system based on said detected infrared signal.

7. A touch panel system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one infrared source arranged to transmit an infrared data signal.

8. A touch panel system according to claim 7, wherein said at least one infrared source is further configured to illuminate the objects with infrared radiation through the touchable surface, and

wherein at least one of the infrared sensors is able to detect infrared radiation reflected from one of the objects.

9. A touch panel system according to claim 1, wherein said infrared signal comprises a data element and said system further comprises:

a memory arranged to store said data element.

10. A touch panel system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one infrared source configured to illuminate the objects with infrared radiation through the touchable surface, and

wherein at least one of the infrared sensors is able to detect infrared radiation reflected from one of the objects.

11. A touch panel system for detecting one or more objects in proximity with a touchable surface of the touch panel system, the touch panel system comprising:

a touch panel having integrated therein an array of infrared sensors parallel to the touchable surface and at least one infrared source arranged to transmit an infrared data signal.

12. A touch panel system according to claim 11, wherein said infrared data signal comprises a data file.

13. A touch panel system according to claim 11, further comprising:

at least one infrared source configured to illuminate the objects with infrared radiation through the touchable surface, and

wherein at least one of the infrared sensors is able to detect infrared radiation reflected from one of the objects.

14. A touch panel system according to claim 13, wherein said at least one infrared source arranged to transmit an infrared data signal and said at least one infrared source configured to illuminate objects are the same.

15. A touch panel system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said array of infrared sensors is able to receive an infrared signal transmitted by a device.

16. A method of interacting with a touch panel, the touch panel comprising an array of infrared sensors parallel to a touchable surface, the method comprising:

detecting a signal at one or more of the array of infrared sensors; and

changing a display on the touch panel dependent upon the detected signal.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein changing a display on the touch panel dependent upon the detected signal comprises:

displaying an icon on the touch panel dependent upon a location of said one or more of the array of infrared sensors.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein changing a display on the touch panel dependent upon the detected signal comprises:

controlling an application running on said touch panel dependent upon the detected signal.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the signal comprises data and wherein the method further comprises:

saving the data.