Patent ID: 9323328
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: G06F

Claim Text:
1. A touch panel comprising: a pressure detection unit configured to generate a first optical signal, receive a second optical signal in response to a pressure applied externally, and detect location information, a pressure intensity, or both, according to an intensity of the received second optical signal, the pressure detection unit comprising: a light-source unit configured to generate the first optical signal; an optical waveguide configured to transmit the first optical signal; and a sensing unit disposed on the optical waveguide and configured to adjust the first optical signal to the second optical signal according to the pressure; and a light-receiving unit configured to receive the second optical signal transmitted through the optical waveguide, wherein the pressure detection unit detects the location information, the pressure intensity, or both according to the second optical signal received at the light-receiving unit, and wherein the sensing unit comprises: a lower layer including a first portion, a second portion, and a groove defined by the first and second portions, the lower layer disposed on the optical waveguide; and an upper layer disposed directly on the lower layer and having a projection portion, the projection portion protruding from a bottom portion of the upper layer into the groove; and an actuator contacting the pressure detection unit to cause a deformation of a material in proportion to the pressure intensity, wherein the actuator provides a tactile feedback through a vibration according to the pressure intensity; wherein a distance between a bottom surface of the projection portion of the upper layer and an upper surface of the optical waveguide in the groove is less than a thickness of each of the first portion and the second portion of the lower layer; and wherein the distance between the bottom surface of the projection portion of the upper layer and the upper surface of the optical waveguide in the groove is greater than zero when the pressure is not applied to the upper layer, a portion of the upper surface of the optical waveguide corresponding to a bottom surface of the groove.