Optical Touch Panel Single Planar Light Generator Retro Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical touch panels require multiple light generators and receivers, increasing production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A touch display device with a single planar light generator, a retro reflector device, and a single photo sensor array, where the light generator emits a planar light covering the entire substrate surface, and the photo sensor array detects the reflected light to calculate touch input coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple light generators and light receivers are used to calculate touch input position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources into a single planar light generator that emits light across the entire surface of the substrate. This single planar light generator replaces the need for multiple discrete light generators, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to calculate touch input positions through the distribution of reflected light across multiple photo sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using multiple discrete light generators positioned at specific corners to a single planar light generator that illuminates the entire surface. This dimensional change from point sources to a distributed planar source allows the system to maintain measurement precision across the touch surface while reducing the number of active components.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light generators and light receivers are used to calculate touch input position, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple light generators into a single planar light generator, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be sourced, assembled, and tested. This consolidation directly reduces manufacturing cost while the planar geometry maintains adequate light distribution for accurate touch position calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar light generator creates a distributed light field that effectively copies the function of multiple light sources without requiring multiple physical sources. This optical copying approach maintains measurement precision while reducing component count and manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces product costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining accurate touch input functionality by using a single light generator and sensor array.
Implementation Method 1
a retro reflector device, and a single photo sensor array. The single light generator is disposed outside the surface of the substrate for generating a planar light whose illuminating range covers the entire surface of the substrate. The retro reflector device is disposed on at least a side of the substrate for reflecting the planar light.
Implementation Method 2
The single photo sensor array is disposed outside the surface of the substrate for sensing the reflected planar light and producing distribution information of the reflected light.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical touch panel includes a substrate, a single planar light generator, at least a retro reflector device, and a single photo sensor array. The substrate has a surface. The single planar light generator is disposed outside the surface of the substrate for generating a planar light, where the illuminating range of the planar light covers the range of the surface of the substrate. The retro reflector device is disposed on a side of the substrate for reflecting the planar light. The single photo sensor array is disposed outside the surface of the substrate for sensing the reflected planar light and generating reflected light distribution information.