System and a method of determining a position of a scattering/reflecting element on the surface of a radiation transmissive element

• US 8,218,154 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FlatFrog Laboratories AB
• Original Assignee: FlatFrog Laboratories AB
• Inventors: Østergaard, Jens Wagenblast Stubbe, Eliasson, Jonas Ove Philip, Larsen, Niels Agersnap
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Sang
• Application Number:
  US12/225,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20090273794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,930 Days
• Field of Search: 356610-614, 356/625, 250/221, 250/222.1, 435/173, 435/157, 435/175, 435/176
• US Class Current: 356/614
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0016 Grooves, prisms, gratings, scattering particles or rough surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• 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 3/0423 using sweeping light beams, e.g. using rotating or vibrating mirror

Abstract

A system and a method of determining a position of a scattering/reflecting element on a surface of a radiation transmissive element adapted to transport scattered/reflected radiation toward one or more detectors. Radiation having different characteristics or properties is transmitted to different areas of the surface whereby the position of the touch may be determined from the radiation scattered/reflected.

Claims

1. A system for determining a position of an element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the system comprising:

a radiation transmissive element having a first surface adapted to be engaged by the element and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

a radiation provider adapted to provide radiation to or at the first surface in order for the element to be able to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation into the radiation transmissive element at the position on the first surface,

one or more detectors for detecting at least one of scattered and reflected radiation, at the position at the first surface, into the radiation transmissive element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward the one or more detectors and for outputting one or more corresponding signals,

a touch controller configured to determine the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals from the one or more detectors, wherein

the touch controller is adapted to determine the position on the basis of at least one of properties and characteristics of the radiation detected by the one or more detectors, and

the radiation provider is adapted to provide radiation with at least one of different properties and characteristics to different portions of the first surface, at least one area of the first surface receiving radiation having at least two of the at least one different properties and characteristics, the radiation provider including,

a plurality of radiation emitters each adapted to emit radiation through the second surface and onto the first surface, each radiation emitter or group of radiation emitters being controllable independently of other emitters or groups of emitters, and each radiation emitter including a radiation altering unit receiving radiation from one or more radiation emitters providing radiation to the radiation altering unit, wherein

the radiation altering unit includes a plurality of radiation altering elements, and each radiation emitter provides radiation to a plurality of radiation altering elements, no radiation altering elements receive radiation from more than one radiation emitter, and wherein properties of the radiation emitters are controllable independently of radiation altering properties of the individual radiation altering elements.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation provider further comprises:

a plurality of radiation providers each providing radiation to a predetermined portion of the first surface and each being adapted to provide radiation with a predetermined attribute or with an attribute selected from a predetermined group of attributes, the attribute being at least one of a property and characteristic of the radiation.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation provider is adapted to emit radiation into the radiation transmissive element and onto the first surface, and wherein the radiation transmissive element is adapted to guide radiation from the radiation provider to the first surface.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of radiation emitters comprise:

at least two scanning beam emitters, each of the at least two scanning beam emitters being configured to provide a scanning beam directing radiation toward the first surface from a different location.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the one or more detectors are positioned so as to be able to determine one or more points in time where the scanning beams emit radiation toward the one or more detectors, and wherein the touch controller is adapted to determine the position also on the basis of the one or more points in time.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation provider is adapted to control the plurality of radiation emitters or groups of radiation emitters to, sequentially in a predetermined order, emit radiation with a predetermined variation in wavelength or intensity, and wherein the touch controller is adapted to determine the position on the basis of at least one of the wavelength and intensity variation and a point in time of detection of the variation.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation provider is adapted to provide radiation with an attribute which is a variation in at least one of the amplitude and wavelength of the radiation, the variation being at least 50 Hz.

8. A system for determining a position of an element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the system comprising:

a radiation transmissive element having a first surface adapted to be engaged by the element and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

a radiation provider adapted to provide radiation to or at the first surface in order for the element to be able to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation into the radiation transmissive element at the position on the first surface,

one or more detectors for detecting radiation that is at least one of scattered and reflected, at the position at the first surface, into the radiation transmissive element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward the one or more detectors and for outputting one or more corresponding signals,

a touch controller configured to determine the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals from the one or more detectors, wherein

the touch controller is adapted to determine the position on the basis of attributes of the radiation detected by the one or more detectors, the attributes including at least one of properties and characteristics of the radiation detected by the one or more detectors, and

the radiation provider is adapted to provide radiation with different attributes to different portions of the first surface, at least one area of the first surface receiving radiation having at least two of the different attributes, the radiation provider including,

a plurality of radiation emitters each adapted to emit radiation through the second surface and onto the first surface, each radiation emitter or group of radiation emitters being controllable independently of other emitters or groups of emitters, and wherein

the radiation provider is adapted to control the emitters so as to provide, through the second surface and onto the first surface of the radiation transmissive element, radiation representing a predetermined image, and wherein the radiation provider is further adapted to alter the emission of one or more radiation emitters by addition or subtraction of a predetermined intensity or wavelength, the touch controller being adapted to determine the position as a position in which the intensity or wavelength has been altered.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the radiation provider is adapted to sequentially alter the emission of different groups of emitters.

10. A system for determining a position of an element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the system comprising:

a radiation transmissive element having a first surface adapted to be engaged by the element and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

a radiation provider adapted to provide radiation to or at the first surface in order for the element to be able to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation into the radiation transmissive element at the position on the first surface,

one or more detectors for detecting radiation that is at least one of scattered and reflected, at the position at the first surface, into the radiation transmissive element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward the one or more detectors and for outputting one or more corresponding signals,

a touch controller configured to determine the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals from the one or more detectors, wherein

the radiation provider is adapted to provide radiation with different attributes to different portions of the first surface, at least one area of the first surface receiving radiation having at least two of the different attributes, the attributes including at least one of properties and characteristics of the radiation,

the touch controller is adapted to determine the position on the basis of attributes of the radiation detected by the one or more detectors, and

the touch controller is adapted to,

determine a first position of a first element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the first element engaging the first surface and a second position of a second element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the second element engaging the first surface, and

control the radiation provider to provide first radiation at or on the first position and second radiation at or on the second position, the first radiation having a first attribute or an attribute selected from a first group of attributes, and the second radiation having a second attribute or an attribute selected from a second group of attributes, the first and second attributes being different and the first and second groups of attributes having no attribute in common,

track the first position on the basis of signals from the one or more detectors and relating to radiation having the first attribute or radiation having an attribute from the first group, and

track the second position on the basis of signals from the one or more detectors and relating to radiation having the second attribute or radiation having an attribute from the second group.

11. A method for determining a position of an element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the method comprising:

providing, from a radiation provider, radiation to or at a first surface of a radiation transmissive element, the first surface being adapted to be engaged by the element, and the radiation transmissive element having a second surface opposite to the first surface,

the element at least one of scattering and reflecting radiation, at the position, from the radiation provider into the radiation transmissive element at the position on the first surface,

detecting radiation at least one of scattered and reflected by the element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward one or more detectors and providing one or more corresponding signals,

determining the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals,

wherein the radiation providing step comprises,

providing radiation with different attributes to different portions of the first surface and providing radiation having at least two of the different attributes to at least one area, and

providing each radiation emitter with a radiation altering element, all radiation altering elements receiving radiation from one or more radiation emitters providing radiation to a plurality of radiation altering elements, wherein the determining step comprises,

determining the position on the basis of the attributes of the radiation detected,

wherein each radiation emitter emits radiation through the second surface and onto the first surface,

wherein each radiation emitter or group of radiation emitters are controlled independently of other emitters or groups of emitters,

wherein each radiation emitter provides radiation to a plurality of radiation altering elements, no radiation altering elements receive radiation from more than one radiation emitter, and

wherein properties of the radiation emitters are controlled independently of radiation altering properties of the individual radiation altering elements.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the radiation providing step comprises:

each of the radiation emitters providing radiation to a predetermined portion of the first surface and each providing radiation with a predetermined attribute or with an attribute selected from a predetermined group of properties.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the radiation providing step comprises:

providing at least two scanning beams directing radiation toward the first surface from different locations.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the detecting step comprises:

determining one or more points in time where the scanning beams emit radiation toward the one or more detectors, and wherein the determining step comprises,

determining the position also on the basis of the one or more points in time.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the radiation provider emits radiation into the radiation transmissive element and onto the first surface, and wherein the radiation transmissive element guides radiation from the radiation provider to the first surface.

16. A method according to claim 11, wherein the radiation providing step comprises:

the radiation emitters or groups of radiation emitters emitting, sequentially in a predetermined order, radiation with a predetermined variation in wavelength or intensity, and wherein the determination step comprises,

determining the position on the basis of at least one of a wavelength and intensity variation and a point in time of detection of the variation.

17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the radiation providing step comprises:

providing radiation with an attribute which is a variation in at least one of an amplitude and a wavelength of the radiation, the variation being at least 50 Hz.

18. A method for determining a position of an element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the method comprising:

providing, from a radiation provider, radiation to or at a first surface of a radiation transmissive element, the first surface being adapted to be engaged by the element, and the radiation transmissive element having a second surface opposite to the first surface,

the element at least one of scattering and reflecting radiation, at the position, from the radiation provider into the radiation transmissive element at the position on the first surface,

detecting radiation that is at least one of scattered and reflected by the element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward the one or more detectors and providing one or more corresponding signals,

determining the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals,

wherein the radiation providing step includes,

providing radiation with different attributes to different portions of the first surface and providing radiation having at least two of the different attributes to at least one area, the attributes including at least one of properties and characteristics of the radiation,

emitters providing, through the second surface and onto the first surface of the radiation transmissive element, radiation representing a predetermined image, and

altering the emission of one or more of the emitters by addition or subtraction of a predetermined intensity or wavelength, and

wherein the determining step includes,

determining the position on the basis of attributes of the radiation detected, and

determining the position as a position in which the intensity or wavelength has been altered.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the radiation providing step comprises:

sequentially altering the emission of different groups of emitters.

20. A method for determining a position of an element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the method comprising:

providing, from a radiation provider, radiation to or at a first surface of a radiation transmissive element, the first surface being adapted to be engaged by the element, and the radiation transmissive element having a second surface opposite to the first surface,

the element at least one of scattering and reflecting radiation, at the position, from the radiation provider into the radiation transmissive element at the position on the first surface,

detecting radiation that is at least one of scattered and reflected by the element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward one or more detectors and providing one or more corresponding signals,

determining the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals,

determining a first position of a first element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, and a second position of a second element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation,

providing first radiation at or on the first position and second radiation at or on the second position, the first radiation having a first attribute or an attribute selected from a first group of attributes, and the second radiation having a second attribute or an attribute selected from a second group of attributes, the first and second attributes being different and the first and second groups of attributes having no attribute in common,

tracking the first position on the basis of one or more signals relating to detected radiation having the first attribute or radiation having an attribute from the first group, and

tracking the second position on the basis of one or more signals relating to detected radiation having the second attribute or radiation having an attribute from the second group,

wherein the radiation providing step includes providing radiation with different attributes to different portions of the first surface and providing radiation having at least two of the different attributes to at least one area, and

wherein the determination step comprises determining the position on the basis of the attributes of the radiation detected.

21. A system for determining a position of an element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the system comprising:

a radiation transmissive element having a first surface adapted to be engaged by the element and a second surface opposite to the first surface,

a monitor or display comprising a plurality of controllable radiation emitters each being adapted to provide radiation through the radiation transmissive element from the second surface toward a predetermined area of the first surface, the monitor or display being adapted to control the emitters to provide radiation representing predetermined images on the first surface,

one or more detectors for detecting radiation emitted by the monitor or display, at least one of scattered and reflected, at the position of the first surface, into the radiation transmissive element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward the one or more detectors and for outputting one or more corresponding signals,

a controller configured to determine the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals from the one or more detectors,

wherein the monitor or display is adapted to control predetermined radiation emitters or groups of radiation emitters to alter at least one of a wavelength and intensity of radiation emitted thereby in order for at least one of the wavelength and intensity of the emitters to deviate from that of an actual predetermined image,

wherein the controller is adapted to determine the position as a position in which the at least one of the intensity and wavelength is altered in relation to that of the predetermined image,

wherein the monitor or display is adapted to, sequentially, for each of a number of groups of radiation emitters, alter between providing the at least one of the wavelength and intensity of the predetermined image and the altered at least one of the intensity and wavelength, and

wherein the controller is adapted to determine the position on the basis of,

a point in time in which the altered at least one of the intensity and wavelength is detected,

a group of radiation emitters having altered the at least one of the intensity and wavelength at that point in time, and

an area of the first surface in which a radiation emitter of the group of radiation emitters is adapted to provide radiation.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the controller is adapted to determine the position on the basis of an initial determination of an area and a subsequent repetition of the process of:

1. performing a determination of;

a. altering the radiation of the determined radiation emitters within the predetermined area,

b. determining whether an altered at least one of intensity and wavelength is detected,

c. if so, determining a reduced, predetermined area as a part of the predetermined area and repeating step 1 within the reduced, predetermined area,

d. if not, repeating step 1 with an amended predetermined area being a last predetermined area within which an altered at least one of intensity and wavelength was detected subtracted the predetermined area of step a.

23. A system according to claim 21, wherein the monitor or display is adapted to control all groups of radiation emitters to alter the at least one of wavelength and intensity sequentially and in a predetermined order.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the monitor or display is adapted to control the radiation emitters to alter the at least one of wavelength and intensity of the radiation emitted thereby in an order so that the radiation, at the first surface, is altered sequentially along a predetermined direction in a plane of the first surface.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein the monitor or display is adapted to alter the radiation of each radiation emitter in a predetermined manner and over a predetermined period of time.

26. A system according to claim 23, wherein the monitor or display is adapted to control the radiation emitters of the groups controlled to alter the radiation emitted thereby so that each of the radiation emitters of the group alters the at least one of wavelength and intensity in a different manner.

27. A system according to claim 21, wherein the monitor or display is adapted to control radiation emitters, adapted to provide radiation to a predetermined area at or around a predetermined position, to alter the at least one of wavelength and intensity of radiation emitted thereby in a predetermined manner.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein the monitor or display is adapted to control different ones of the radiation emitters to alter the at least one of wavelength and intensity differently, and wherein the controller is adapted to determine the position on the basis of the actual altering of the at least one of wavelength and intensity detected.

29. A method for determining a position of a element to at least one of scatter and reflect radiation, the method comprising:

providing radiation through a radiation transmissive element, having a first surface adapted to be engaged by the element and a second surface opposite to the first surface, from the second surface toward a predetermined area of the first surface, the radiation being provided by a monitor or display comprising a plurality of controllable radiation emitters each providing radiation to a predetermined area of the first surface, the monitor or display controlling the emitters to provide radiation representing one or more predetermined images on the first surface,

detecting radiation emitted by the monitor or display, at least one of scattered and reflected by the element, at the position of the first surface, into the radiation transmissive element and guided by the radiation transmissive element toward one or more detectors, and providing one or more corresponding signals, and

determining the position on the basis of the one or more corresponding signals from the one or more detectors,

wherein the monitor or display controls predetermined radiation emitters or groups of radiation emitters to alter at least one of wavelength and intensity of radiation emitted thereby so that the at least one of wavelength and intensity of the emitters deviate from that of an actual predetermined image,

wherein the position is determined as a position in which the at least one of wavelength and intensity is altered in relation to that of the predetermined image,

wherein the radiation emitters of each of a number of groups of radiation emitters, sequentially alter between providing the at least one of wavelength and intensity of the predetermined image and the altered at least one of intensity and wavelength, and

wherein the position is determined on the basis of,

a point in time in which the altered at least one of intensity and wavelength is detected,

a group of radiation emitters having altered the at least one of wavelength and intensity at that point in time, and

an area of the first surface in which a radiation emitter of the group of radiation emitters is adapted to provide radiation.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the position is determined on the basis of an initially determined area and a subsequent repetition of the process of:

1. performing a determination of;

a. altering the radiation of the radiation emitters within the predetermined area,

b. determining whether an altered at least one of intensity and wavelength is detected,

c. if so, determining a reduced, predetermined area as a part of the predetermined area and repeating step 1 within the reduced, predetermined area,

d. if not, repeating step 1 with an amended predetermined area being the last predetermined area within which an altered at least one of intensity and wavelength was detected subtracted the predetermined area of step a.

31. A method according to claim 29, wherein all groups of radiation emitters alter the at least one of wavelength and intensity sequentially and in a predetermined order.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the radiation emitters alter the at least one of wavelength and intensity of the radiation emitted thereby in an order so that the radiation, at the first surface, is altered sequentially along a predetermined direction in a plane of the first surface.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the monitor or display is adapted to control the radiation emitters of the groups controlled to alter the radiation emitted thereby so that each of the radiation emitters of the group alters the at least one of intensity and wavelength in a different manner.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the radiation of each radiation emitter in each group is altered in a predetermined manner and over a predetermined period of time.

35. A method according to claim 29, wherein radiation emitters providing radiation to a predetermined area at or around a predetermined position emit radiation with at least one of wavelength and intensity altered in a predetermined manner.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein different ones of the radiation emitters emit radiation with differently altered at least one of wavelength and intensity, and wherein the position is determined on the basis of the actual altering of the at least one of wavelength and intensity detected.