AMBIENT LIGHT INTERFERENCE REDUCTION FOR OPTICAL INPUT DEVICES
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sensing touch and proximity events in a display device, comprising:
- an optical transmitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal through a first plane of the display device, the optical transmitter being in addition to a main light source for the display device; and
an optical receiver adapted to detect the electromagnetic signal as reflected back through said first plane.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for preventing fluctuations in ambient light from affecting the optical input mechanism of a liquid crystal display device. In one embodiment, an independent light source is adapted to generate electromagnetic signals through the cover glass of the display device. When the user'"'"'s finger is proximate to a certain region of the touch panel, the electromagnetic signals reflect off of the user'"'"'s finger and back through the cover glass. One or more photosensors monitoring the presence of these reflected signals service the various regions on the touch panel where input may be detected. Thus, when the reflected signals are detected at a certain region, the user'"'"'s finger may be assumed to be present.
142 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for sensing touch and proximity events in a display device, comprising:
-
an optical transmitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal through a first plane of the display device, the optical transmitter being in addition to a main light source for the display device; and an optical receiver adapted to detect the electromagnetic signal as reflected back through said first plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method comprising:
-
generating electromagnetic signals at a first location within a device adapted for optical input; modulating the electromagnetic signals so as to attain a level of insensitivity to ambient signals; determining whether a reflected modulated electromagnetic signal has been received at a second location within the optical device; and generating an output based at least in part upon said determining whether the reflected modulated electromagnetic signal has been received at the second location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A mobile phone comprising:
-
an optical transmitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal through a first plane of a display associated with the mobile phone, the optical transmitter being in addition to a main light source for the display; and an optical receiver adapted to detect the electromagnetic signal as reflected back through said first plane.
-
-
24. A digital media player comprising:
-
an optical transmitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal through a first plane of a display associated with the digital media player, the optical transmitter being in addition to a main light source for the display; and an optical receiver adapted to detect the electromagnetic signal as reflected back through said first plane.
-
-
25. A personal computer comprising:
-
an optical transmitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal through a first plane of a display associated with the personal computer, the optical transmitter being in addition to a main light source for the display; and an optical receiver adapted to detect the electromagnetic signal as reflected back through said first plane.
-
Specification