Source: http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/8633918.html
Timestamp: 2018-07-22 01:29:31
Document Index: 275802313

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 10', 'art 700', 'art 500', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'art 600', 'art 600', 'art 500', 'arts 500', 'arts 500', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'art 500', 'art 700', 'arts 500', 'art 700', 'art 710', 'art 730', 'art 710', 'art 730', 'art 750', 'art 751', 'art 753', 'art 755', 'art 751', 'art 753', 'art 755', 'art 730', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'art 710', 'arts 500', 'art 730', 'art 750', 'art 751', 'art 753', 'arts 500', 'arts 500', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'arts 500', 'art 500', 'art 500', 'art 500', 'arts 500', 'art 500', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'arts 500', 'arts 500', 'arts 500', 'arts 500', 'arts 500', 'arts 500', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'art 700', 'art 700', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'art 700', 'art 700']

Method of detecting touch position, touch position detecting apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the touch position detecting apparatus - Patent # 8633918 - PatentGenius
Method of detecting touch position, touch position detecting apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the touch position detecting apparatus
8633918 Method of detecting touch position, touch position detecting apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the touch position detecting apparatus
U.S. Class: 345/176; 178/18.01; 345/173; 345/175
Field Of Search: ;345/173; ;345/174; ;345/175; ;345/176; ;345/177; ;345/178; ;345/179; ;359/487; ;359/529; ;359/652; ;178/18.01
Foreign Patent Documents: 10-2009-0051613
Other References: English Abstract for Publication No. 10-2009-0051613. cited by applicant.
Abstract: A light waveguide has a rectangular plate shape and is configured to totally reflect internal light arriving at an angle greater than a critical angle. Light emitting parts are disposed at corners of the light waveguide. Each of the light emitting parts emits light once in a period. A first light receiving part is disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide, and receives light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to a second side surface facing the first side surface of the light waveguide. The second light receiving part is disposed along the second side surface of the light waveguide, and receives light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface. A detecting part detects a touch position based on an amount of the light received by the first and second light receiving parts.
1. A method of detecting a touch position on a touch-sensitive panel, the method comprising: emitting light from each of a plurality of light emitting parts respectivelydisposed exclusively at four corners of a light waveguide having a rectangular plate shape, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting parts emits light once in a period; receiving a quantity of light by light receiving parts disposed along firstand second side surfaces of the light waveguide, the second side surface facing the first side surface, wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch; and detecting a position of the touch based on the quantity of the lightreceived in the light receiving parts.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light receiving part disposed along the first side surface of the light waveguide receives the light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the second side surface of the light waveguide, and thelight receiving part disposed along the second side surface of the light waveguide receives the light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguide.
4. A method of detecting a touch position on a touch-sensitive panel, the method comprising: emitting light from each of a plurality of light emitting parts respectively disposed at corners of a light waveguide having a rectangular plate shape,wherein each of the plurality of light emitting parts emits light once in a period; receiving a quantity of light by light receiving parts disposed along first and second side surfaces of the light waveguide, the second side surface facing the firstside surface, wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch; and detecting a position of the touch based on the quantity of the light received in the light receiving parts, wherein detecting the touch position comprises:obtaining 2N coordinates from the quantity of the received light within a coordinate system having a first axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal side of the first side surface of the light waveguide and a second axis substantially parallel witha longitudinal side of a third side surface of the light waveguide, the third side surface being substantially perpendicular to the first side surface; and calculating the 2N coordinates to detect N touch positions, wherein N is a positive integer.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein detecting the touch position further comprises: matching the 2N coordinates based on light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N coordinates when N is greater than or equal to 2.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein matching the 2N coordinates comprises: converting the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N coordinates into digital values; arranging the 2N coordinates according to lightreceiving time of the light receiving parts and sizes of the light modulating intensity widths which are converted into the digital values; and cross-matching the arranged 2N coordinates to output N coordinates.
9. A touch position detecting apparatus comprising: a light waveguide having a rectangular plate shape and having an index of refraction greater than an index of refraction of air; a plurality of light emitting parts respectively disposedexclusively at four corners of the light waveguide, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting parts emits light once in a period; a first light receiving part disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity oflight emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to a second side surface of the light waveguide wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch, the second side surface facing the first side surface; a second lightreceiving part disposed along the second side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguide, wherein the quantity of light received dependsupon the presence of a touch; and a detecting part detecting a position of the touch based on the quantity of the light received by the first and second light receiving parts.
11. The touch position detecting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the corners of the light waveguide are chamfered to create the light emitting parts.
12. The touch position detecting apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the light emitting parts comprises an infrared light emitting diode (LED).
13. A touch position detecting apparatus comprising: a light waveguide having a rectangular plate shape and having an index of refraction greater than an index of refraction of air; a plurality of light emitting parts respectively disposed atcorners of the light waveguide, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting parts emits light once in a period; a first light receiving part disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity of light emitted fromthe light emitting parts adjacent to a second side surface of the light waveguide wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch, the second side surface facing the first side surface; a second light receiving part disposedalong the second side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguide, wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of atouch; and a detecting part detecting a position of the touch based on the quantity of the light received by the first and second light receiving parts, wherein the detecting part comprises: an obtaining part obtaining 2N coordinates from the quantityof the received light, within a coordinate system having a first axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal side of the first side surface of the light waveguide and a second axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal side of a third sidesurface of the light waveguide, the third side surface being substantially perpendicular to the first side surface; and a calculating part calculating the 2N coordinates to detect N touch positions, wherein N is a positive integer.
14. The touch position detecting apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the 2N coordinates is coordinates having the smallest quantity of the received light in each light receiving range.
15. The touch position detecting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the detecting part further comprises a matching part matching the 2N coordinates based on light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N coordinates when Nis greater than or equal to 2.
16. The touch position detecting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the matching part comprises: a converting part converting the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N coordinates into digital values; an arrangingpart arranging the 2N coordinates according to light receiving time of the light receiving parts and sizes of the light modulating intensity widths which are converted into the digital values; and an outputting part cross-matching the arranged 2Ncoordinates to output N coordinates.
17. A display apparatus comprising: a light waveguide having a rectangular plate shape and having an index of refraction greater than an index of refraction of air; a plurality of light emitting parts respectively disposed exclusively at fourcorners of the light waveguide, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting parts emits light once in a period; a first light receiving part disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity of light emitted fromthe light emitting parts adjacent to a second side surface of the light waveguide wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch, the second side surface facing the first side surface; a second light receiving part disposedalong the second side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity of light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguide, wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of atouch; a detecting part detecting a position of the touch based on the quantity of light received by the first and second light receiving parts; a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate disposed under the light waveguide to receive an image signalaccording to the touch position; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the light waveguide and the TFT substrate.
19. A display apparatus comprising: a light waveguide having a rectangular plate shape and having an index of refraction greater than an index of refraction of air; a plurality of light emitting parts respectively disposed at corners of thelight waveguide, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting parts emits light once in a period; a first light receiving part disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity of light emitted from the lightemitting parts adjacent to a second side surface of the light waveguide wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch, the second side surface facing the first side surface; a second light receiving part disposed along thesecond side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving quantity of light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguide, wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch; adetecting part detecting a position of the touch based on the quantity of light received by the first and second light receiving parts; a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate disposed under the light waveguide to receive an image signal according to thetouch position; a liquid crystal layer formed between the light waveguide and the TFT substrate, a color filter disposed over the TFT substrate; a low refraction layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and a first surface of the lightwaveguide; and a polarizing plate disposed on a second surface of the light waveguide facing the first substrate.
20. A display apparatus comprising: a light waveguide having a rectangular plate shape and having an index of refraction greater than an index of refraction of air; a plurality of light emitting parts respectively disposed at corners of thelight waveguide, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting parts emits light once in a period; a first light receiving part disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity of light emitted from the lightemitting parts adjacent to a second side surface of the light waveguide wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch, the second side surface facing the first side surface; a second light receiving part disposed along thesecond side surface of the light waveguide, and receiving a quantity of light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguide, wherein the quantity of light received depends upon the presence of a touch; adetecting part detecting a position of the touch based on the quantity of light received by the first and second light receiving parts; a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate disposed under the light waveguide to receive an image signal according to thetouch position; a liquid crystal layer formed between the light waveguide and the TFT substrate, a color filter substrate disposed between the light waveguide and the liquid crystal layer; and a polarizing plat disposed between the light waveguide andthe color filter substrate.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0020665, filed on Mar. 9, 2010 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting a touch position, and more particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of detecting touch positions, a touch position detecting apparatus forperforming the method and a display apparatus having the touch position detecting apparatus.
A touch panel is an example of input devices which serve as an interface between an information communication apparatus having a display and a user. The user touches the touch panel with a finger or a stylus and the information communicationapparatus may then interpret the touches as input.
A touch panel may serve as an intuitive way for people of all ages to interact with a computerized device. Thus, touch panels are commonly used in cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), informational kiosks and automated tellermachines (ATMs), for example, as may be found in a bank, a public office, a medical center and a tourist center, a direction board, etc. Touch panels may be incorporated into flat panel displays such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus orconventional display devices such as those having a cathode ray tube (CRT).
For example, the infrared type touch panel uses characteristics of light to determine when a touch is present. In the infrared type touch panel, infrared light is blocked by an obstacle disposed on a surface of the touch panel so that a touchposition may be detected. In the infrared type touch panel, beams of infrared light propagating in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction are respectively blocked so that the touch position is detected by reading x and y coordinates of aposition at which the infrared light is blocked.
A first side of the infrared type touch panel includes infrared light sources that radiate infrared light and a second side of the infrared type touch panel includes a set of infrared light sensors that detect the infrared light. Accordingly,an infrared grid is established on the surface of the touch panel.
However, in conventional infrared type touch panels, even though a number of infrared light sources may be used, the panel may be limited to only sensing one touch position at a time. Accordingly, when two positions are touched on the infraredtype touch panel at the same time, the infrared type touch panel may not distinguish two positions, the infrared type touch panel may detect only the previously touched position, or a ghost touch position is detected and a touch error may occur.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting a plurality of touch positions. In the method, light emitting parts are respectively disposed at corners of a light waveguide having arectangular plate shape, and emit light once in a period from each of the light emitting parts. Light receiving parts disposed along first and second side surfaces of the light waveguide receive light according to a touch on the light waveguide. Thesecond side surface faces the first side surface. The touch position is detected based on an amount of the light received in the light receiving parts.
In an exemplary embodiment, the light receiving part disposed along the first side surface of the light waveguide may receive the light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the second side surface of the light waveguide, and thelight receiving part disposed along the second side surface of the light waveguide may receive the light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguide, when the light is received according to the touch onthe light waveguide.
In an exemplary embodiment, when the touch position is detected, 2N coordinates may be obtained from the amount of the received light, using a coordinate system having an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal side of the first sidesurface of the light waveguide and an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal side of a third side surface of the light waveguide. Then, the 2N coordinates may be calculated to detect N touch positions. In this case, the third side surface maybe substantially perpendicular to the first side surface, and N may be a positive integer.
In an exemplary embodiment, when the 2N coordinates are matched, the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N coordinates may be converted into digital values. The 2N coordinates may be arranged according to lightreceiving time of the light receiving parts and sizes of the light modulating intensity widths which are converted into the digital values. The arranged 2N coordinates may be cross-matched to output N coordinates.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display touch position detecting apparatus includes a light waveguide, light emitting parts, a first light receiving part, a second light receiving part and a detecting part. Thelight waveguide has a rectangular plate shape and totally reflects incident light. The light emitting parts are respectively disposed at corners of the light waveguide. Each of the light emitting parts emits light once in a period. The first lightreceiving part is disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide and receives light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to a second side surface of the light waveguide according to a touch on the light waveguide. The second sidesurface faces the first side surface. The second light receiving part is disposed along the second side surface of the light waveguide and receives light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to the first side surface of the light waveguideaccording to the touch on the light waveguide. The detecting part detects a touch position based on an amount of the light received by the first and second light receiving parts.
In an exemplary embodiment, the detecting part may include an obtaining part and a calculating part. The obtaining part may obtain 2N coordinates from the amount of the received light, using a coordinate system having an axis substantiallyparallel with a longitudinal side of the first side surface of the light waveguide and an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal side of a third side surface of the light waveguide. The third side surface may be substantially perpendicular tothe first side surface. The calculating part may calculate the 2N coordinates to detect N touch positions. In this case, N is a positive integer.
In an exemplary embodiment, the matching part may include a converting part, an arranging part and an outputting part. The converting part may convert the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N coordinates intodigital values. The arranging part may arrange the 2N coordinates according to a light receiving time of the light receiving parts and sizes of the light modulating intensity widths which are converted into the digital values. The outputting part maycross-match the arranged 2N coordinates to output N coordinates.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatus includes a light waveguide, light emitting parts, a first light receiving part, a second light receiving part, a detecting part, a thin-film transistor (TFT)substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The light waveguide has a rectangular plate shape and totally reflects incident light. The light emitting parts are respectively disposed at corners of the light waveguide. Each of the light emitting parts emitslight once in a period. The first light receiving part is disposed along a first side surface of the light waveguide and receives light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to a second side surface of the light waveguide according to a touchon the light waveguide. The second side surface faces the first side surface. The second light receiving part is disposed along the second side surface of the light waveguide, and receives light emitted from the light emitting parts adjacent to thefirst side surface of the light waveguide according to the touch on the light waveguide. The detecting part detects a touch position based on an amount of the light received by the first and second light receiving parts. The TFT substrate is disposedunder the light waveguide to receive an image signal according to the touch position. The liquid crystal layer is formed between the light waveguide and the TFT substrate.
In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a color filter disposed over the TFT substrate, a low refraction layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and a first surface of the light waveguide, and a polarizingplate disposed on a second surface of the light waveguide facing the first substrate.
In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a color filter substrate disposed between the light waveguide and the liquid crystal layer and a polarizing plat disposed between the light waveguide and the color filtersubstrate.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I' in FIG. 1;
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited tothe exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings,the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements orlayers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numerals may refer to likeelements throughout.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a touch position detecting apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A to 2D are conceptual diagrams illustrating the touch position detecting apparatus 10 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I' in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detecting part 700 in FIG. 1.
The touch position detecting apparatus 10 uses a frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR). The FTIR is an optical phenomenon which occurs when light is incident from an optically dense medium to a less optically dense medium, in other words,light is incident from a medium having a higher refractive index to a medium with having a lower refractive index and an incident angle is larger than a critical angle with respect to a perpendicular direction of a boundary surface between the two media.
The light waveguide 100 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a first side surface 160, a second side surface 170, a third side surface 180 and a fourth side surface 190. The first side surface 160 and the second side surface 170face each other, the third side surface 180 and the fourth side surface 190 face each other, and the third side surface 180 connects the first and second side surfaces 160 and 170. The third side surface 180 and the fourth side surface 190 aresubstantially perpendicular to the first side surface 160 and the second side surface 170, respectively.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an upper surface and a lower surface of the light waveguide 100 may have rectangular shapes having lateral sides which are longitudinal sides of first and second side surfaces 160 and 170 or longitudinalsides which are longitudinal sides of first and second side surfaces 160 and 170. In addition, the upper surface and the lower surface of the light waveguide 100 may have square shapes having four sides which are substantially the same and arelongitudinal sides of the first and third side surfaces 160 and 180.
The light waveguide 100 totally reflects light incident from the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 respectively disposed at corners 110, 120, 130 and 140 inside of the light waveguide 100. The total reflection in the light waveguide 100may be frustrated when contact is made by an external obstacle. The external obstacle may include a pointing device such as a finger or a touch pen.
The light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 emit light at the corners 110, 120, 130 and 140. The light emitted from the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 is incident to the light waveguide 100. The corners 110, 120, 130 and 140 of thelight waveguide 100 may be chamfered according to shapes of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4, so that the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may be disposed at the corners 110, 120, 130 and 140 of the light waveguide 100. Each of the lightemitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may include an infrared light emitting diode (LED).
Each of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 emits light once in a period. For example, the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 do not emit light at the same time. Each of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 emits light with atime difference or continuously emits light. The period is defined as a time in which all of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 emit light once. The light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may emit light sequentially or randomly. In addition,the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may emit light clockwise or counterclockwise.
The first light receiving part 500 receives light emitted from the light emitting parts S1 and S2 adjacent to the second side surface 170. Thus, a diffusion angle .theta.1 of the light emitting part S1 may be defined as a tangent (a length of alongitudinal side of the first side surface 160/a length of a longitudinal side of the third side surface 180) with respect to the third side surface 180, as shown in FIG. 2A. A diffusion angle .theta.2 of the light emitting part S2 may be defined as atangent (a length of the longitudinal side of the first side surface 160/a length of a longitudinal side of the fourth side surface 190) with respect to the fourth side surface 190, as shown in FIG. 2B.
Accordingly, the light emitted from the light emitting parts S1 and S2 may irradiate the first light receiving part 500, and may not irradiate the second light receiving part 600. Thus, the diffusion angles .theta.1 and .theta.2 of the lightemitted from the light emitting parts S1 and S2 may be greater than or equal to a tangent (a length of a lateral side of the light waveguide 100/a length of a longitudinal side of the light waveguide 100), and less than a 2 tangent (the length of thelateral side of the light waveguide 100/the length of the longitudinal side of the light waveguide 100).
For example, light emitted from the light emitting part S1 disposed at the first corner 110 of the light waveguide 100 is radiated between the third side surface 180 of the light waveguide 100 and a virtual diagonal line 151 connecting the firstand third corners 110 and 130. In addition, light emitted from the light emitting part S2 disposed at the second corner 120 of the light waveguide 100 is radiated between the fourth side surface 190 of the light waveguide 100 and a virtual diagonal line152 connecting the second and fourth corners 120 and 140.
The second light receiving part 600 receives light emitted from the light emitting parts S3 and S4 adjacent to the first side surface 160. Thus, a diffusion angle .theta.3 of the light emitting part S3 may be defined as a tangent (a length of alongitudinal side of the second side surface 170/a length of the longitudinal side of the fourth side surface 190) with respect to the fourth side surface 190, as shown in FIG. 2C. A diffusion angle .theta.4 of the light emitting part S4 may be definedas a tangent (the length of the longitudinal side of the second side surface 170/the length of the longitudinal side of the third side surface 180) with respect to the third side surface 180, as shown in FIG. 2D.
Accordingly, the light emitted from the light emitting parts S3 and S4 may irradiate the second light receiving part 600, and may not irradiate the first light receiving part 500. Thus, the diffusion angles .theta.3 and .theta.4 of the lightemitted from the light emitting parts S3 and S4 may be greater than or equal to a tangent (the length of the lateral side of the light waveguide 100/the length of the longitudinal side of the light waveguide 100), and less than a 2 tangent (the length ofthe lateral side of the light waveguide 100/the length of the longitudinal side of the light waveguide 100).
For example, light emitted from the light emitting part S3 disposed at the third corner 130 of the light waveguide 100 is radiated between the fourth side surface 190 of the light waveguide 100 and the virtual diagonal line 151. In addition,light emitted from the light emitting part S4 disposed at the fourth corner 140 of the light waveguide 100 is radiated between the third side surface 180 of the light waveguide 100 and the virtual diagonal line 152.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the case of a touch in an, area [2, 3], when the light emitting part S2 and the light emitting part S3 emit light, the touch may be detected. In addition, in the case of a touch in an area [1, 2], when the light emittingpart S1 and the light emitting part S2 emit light, the touch may be detected. In addition, in the case of a touch in an area [1, 4], when the light emitting part S1 and the light emitting part S4 emit light, the touch may be detected. In addition, inthe case of a touch in an area [3, 4], when the light emitting part S3 and the light emitting part S4 emit light, the touch may be detected.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 are respectively disposed along the first and second side surfaces 160 and 170 which are lateral sides of the light waveguide 100. Alternatively, thefirst and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 may be respectively disposed along the third and fourth side surfaces 180 and 190 which are longitudinal sides of the light waveguide 100. In addition, the touch position detecting apparatus 10 mayfurther include a third light receiving part (not shown) and a fourth light receiving part (not shown) respectively disposed along the third and fourth side surfaces 180 and 190 of the light waveguide 100.
Light emitted from the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 correspondingly reaches the first light receiving part 500 or the second light receiving part 600 according to the external touch. Light 311 not meeting an external obstacle, amongthe lights from the light emitting part S1 disposed at the first corner 110 is totally reflected at an inside of the light waveguide 100 to reach the first light receiving part 500, as shown in FIG. 3. In contrast, light 313 meeting the externalobstacle, among the lights from the light emitting part S1 disposed at the first corner 110, may propagate out of the light waveguide 100 because the total reflection in the light waveguide 100 is frustrated.
The detecting part 700 detects an external touch position P based on an amount of the light received by the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600. As shown in FIG. 4, the detecting part 700 includes an obtaining part 710 and acalculating part 730.
The obtaining part 710 obtains 2N y-axis coordinates from the amount of the received light, using an xy coordinate system having a y-axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal side of the first side surface 160 of the light waveguide 100and an x-axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal side of the third side surface 180 of the light waveguide 100. In this case, `N` is a positive integer. The y-axis coordinates may have the smallest amount of the received light in each lightreceiving range. The calculating part 730 calculates the 2N y-axis coordinates to detect N touch positions P.
The matching part 750 includes a converting part 751, an arranging part 753 and an output part 755. The converting part 751 converts the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N y-axis coordinates into digitalvalues. The arranging part 753 arranges the 2N y-axis coordinates according to a light receiving time of the light receiving parts and sizes of the light modulating intensity widths which are converted into the digital values. The output part 755cross-matches the arranged y-axis coordinates to output N coordinates to the calculating part 730.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5B, in the method of detecting the touch position performed by the touch position detecting apparatus 10, each of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 is respectively disposed at each of the corners 110, 120, 130and 140 of the light waveguide 100 having a rectangular shape and emits light once in the period (step S100).
Each of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may emit light once in a period. For example, the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 would not emit light at the same time. Each of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may emitlight at different times or alternatively, they may each continuously emit light. The period is defined as a time in which all of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 emit light once. The light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may emit lightsequentially, in any pattern, or randomly. For example, the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may emit light sequentially either clockwise or counterclockwise.
The light emitted from the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 is respectively incident to the corners 110, 120, 130 and 140 of the light waveguide 100. The incident light is totally reflected at an inside of the light waveguide 100. Thetotal reflection in the light waveguide 100 may be frustrated by making contact with an external obstacle in accordance with the physical phenomenon of frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR), as described above. The external obstacle may include afinger or a pointing device such as a touch pen or stylus.
The first light receiving part 500 disposed along the first side surface 160 of the light waveguide 100 and the second light receiving part 600 disposed along the second side surface 170 of the light waveguide 100 receive light according to thetouch on the light waveguide 100 (step S300).
The first light receiving part 500 receives light emitted from the light emitting parts S1 and S2 adjacent to the second side surface 170, and the second light receiving part 600 receives light emitted from the light emitting parts S3 and S4adjacent to the first side surface 160.
The obtaining part 710 obtains the 2N y-axis coordinates from the amount of the light received by the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600, using the xy coordinate system having the y-axis substantially parallel with thelongitudinal side of the first side surface 160 of the light waveguide 100 and the x-axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal side of the third side surface 180 of the light waveguide 100 (step S510). In this case, `N` is a positive integer. The y-axis coordinates may have the smallest amount of the received light in each light receiving range.
The calculating part 730 calculates the 2N y-axis coordinates to detect N touch positions P (step S530). In addition, the touch position P may be detected using a position which is symmetric to the touch position P with respect to a center 150of the light waveguide 100.
The matching part 750 may match the 2N y-axis coordinates based on the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N y-axis coordinates (step S550), when N is greater than or equal to 2 and the touch position P isdetected (step S500).
The converting part 751 converts the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the 2N y-axis coordinates into the digital values (step S551). The arranging part 753 arranges the 2N y-axis coordinates according to the lightreceiving time of the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 and sizes of the light modulating intensity widths which are converted into the digital values (step S553).
An arranging rule of the 2N y-axis coordinates is as follows. The y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 are arranged in a plurality of columns. Each of the columns includes the y-axis coordinates obtained from the first and second lightreceiving parts 500 and 600 at the same time. Among the y-axis coordinates obtained at the same time, for example, among the y-axis coordinates in one column, the y-axis coordinate having a bigger size of the light modulating intensity width is disposedhigher and the y-axis coordinate having a smaller size of the light modulating intensity width is disposed lower.
For example, the y-axis coordinates obtained from each of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 are arranged in a column, and total four columns may be arranged corresponding to the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 because the lightemitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 emit light at a different time.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams illustrating an algorithm for detecting a touch position of a single touch occurring in an area [1, 4] of a light waveguide in FIG. 1. FIGS. 7A and 7B are conceptual diagrams illustrating an algorithm fordetecting a touch position of a single touch occurring in an area [1, 2] of the light waveguide in FIG. 1.
For example, the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may sequentially emit light clockwise. The light emitting part S1 disposed at the first corner 110 of the light waveguide 100 may represent an original point, a longitudinal side of thethird side surface 180 corresponding to a surface of the light waveguide 100 may represent an x-axis, and a longitudinal side of the second side surface 170 corresponding to the surface of the light waveguide 100 may represent a y-axis. Longitudinalsides of the first and second side surfaces 160 and 170 are defined as lateral sides of the light waveguide 100. In this case, a length of each of the lateral sides is B. In addition, longitudinal sides of the third and fourth side surfaces 180 and 190are defined as longitudinal sides of the light waveguide 100. In this case, a length of each of the longitudinal sides is A.
Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the algorithm detecting the touch position P is explained when a touch occurs in the area [1, 4]. An amount of the light reaching the first light receiving part 500 from the light emitting part S1 and an amount ofthe light reaching the second light receiving part 600 from the light emitting part S4 are changed when an external touch occurs.
A first right-angled triangle having a base of the third side surface 180 and an altitude of y is defined and a second right-angled triangle having a base of the third side surface 180 and an altitude of y1 is defined when the touch position Pis defined as a coordinate (x, y) in an xy coordinate system. The first and second right-angled triangles are substantially similar in shape. Thus, a ratio of the base to the altitude may be defined by the following Equation 1. x:y=A:y1 Equation 1
A third right-angled triangle having a base of the third side surface 180 and an altitude of y is defined and a fourth right-angled triangle having a base of the third side surface 180 and an altitude of y4 is defined. The third and fourthright-angled triangles are substantially similar in shape. Thus, a ratio of the base to the altitude may be defined by the following Equation 2. A-x:y=A:y4 Equation 2
Equations 1 and 2 are respectively arranged according to x and y to get Equations 3 and 4. x=A*y4/(y1+y4) Equation 3 y=y1*y4/(y1+y4) Equation 4
The variable `x` of Equation 3 is an x-axis coordinate of the touch position P, and the variable `y` of Equation 4 is a y-axis coordinate of the touch position P. Thus, the longitudinal side and the lateral side of the light waveguide 100 areknown, and the altitude of y1 of the second right-angled triangle and the altitude of y4 of the fourth right-angled triangle may be obtained, for example, using the minimal light amounts in each light receiving range of the first and second lightreceiving parts 500 and 600 so that the x-axis coordinate and the y-axis coordinate of the touch position P may be calculated.
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the algorithm detecting the touch position P is explained when a touch occurs in the area [1, 2]. An amount of the light reaching the first light receiving part 500 from the light emitting part S1 and an amount ofthe light reaching the first light receiving part 500 from the light emitting part S2 are changed when an external touch occur. The light emitting parts S1 and S2 emit light with a time difference or continuously emit light, thus, the first lightreceiving part 500 may detect a change in the light amounts emitted from the first and the second light receiving parts 500 and 600 with a time difference.
A fifth right-angled triangle having a base of the third side surface 180 and an altitude of y is defined and a sixth right-angled triangle having a base of the third side surface 180 and the altitude of y1 is defined when the touch position Pis defined as a coordinate (x, y) in the xy coordinate system. The fifth and sixth right-angled triangles are substantially similar in shape. Thus, a ratio of the base to the altitude may be defined by the following Equation 5. x:y=A:y1 Equation 5
A seventh right-angled triangle having a base of the fourth side surface 190 and an altitude of B-y is defined and an eighth right-angled triangle having a base of the fourth side surface 190 and an altitude of B-y2 is defined. The seventh andeighth right-angled triangles are substantially similar in shape. Thus, a ratio of the base to the altitude may be defined by the following Equation 6. A-x:(B-y)=A:(B-y2) Equation 6
Equations 5 and 6 are respectively arranged according to x and y to get Equations 7 and 8. x=A*B/(B+y1-y2) Equation 7 y=B*y1/(B+y1-y2) Equation 8
The variable `x` of Equation 7 is an x-axis coordinate of the touch position P, and the variable `y` of Equation 8 is a y-axis coordinate of the touch position P. Thus, the longitudinal side and the lateral side of the light waveguide 100 areknown, and the altitude of y1 of the sixth right-angled triangle and the altitude of B-y2 of the eighth right-angled triangle may be obtained, using the minimal light amount in the light receiving range of the first light receiving part 500 during eachemitting time of the light emitting parts S1 and S2 so that the x-axis coordinate and the y-axis coordinate of the touch position P may be calculated.
The algorithm detecting the touch position P may be used when a touch occurs in the area [2, 3] or in the area [3, 4], as well. In addition, the touch position P may be detected using a position which is symmetric to the touch position P withrespect to the center 150 of the light waveguide 100 when the touch occurs in the area [2, 3] of the light waveguide 100. Accordingly, a coordinate (x', y') in the area [1, 4] which is symmetric to the touch position P with respect to the center 150 ofthe light waveguide 100 may be calculated by Equations 3 and 4. The coordinate (x, y) of the touch position P may be calculated by Equations 9 and 10. x=A-x' Equation 9 y=B-y' Equation 10
Similarly, the touch position P may be detected using a position which is symmetric to the touch position P with respect to the center 150 of the light waveguide 100 when the touch occurs in the area [3, 4] of the light waveguide 100. Accordingly, a coordinate (x', y') in the area [1, 2] which is symmetric to the touch position P with respect to the center 150 of the light waveguide 100 may be calculated by Equations 7 and 8. The coordinate (x, y) of the touch position P may becalculated by Equations 9 and 10.
For example, the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 may sequentially emit light clockwise. The light emitting part S1 disposed on the first corner 110 of the light waveguide 100 may represent an original point, a longitudinal side of thethird side surface 180 corresponding to a surface the light waveguide 100 may represent an x-axis, and a longitudinal side of the second side surface 170 corresponding to the surface the light waveguide 100 may represent a y-axis. Longitudinal sides ofthe first and second side surfaces 160 and 170 are defined as lateral sides of the light waveguide 100. In this case, a length of each of the lateral sides is B. In addition, longitudinal sides of the third and fourth side surfaces 180 and 190 aredefined as longitudinal sides of the light waveguide 100. In this case, a length of each of the longitudinal sides is A.
Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the algorithm detecting the touch positions P1 and P2 is explained when a touch occurs in the area [1, 4]. An amount of the light reaching the first light receiving part 500 from the light emitting part S1 and anamount of the light reaching the second light receiving part 600 from the light emitting part S4 are changed when an external touch occur. Hereinafter, in yab and wab, `a` corresponds to the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4, and `b` corresponds tothe touch positions P1 and P2.
The touch position P1 is defined as a coordinate (x1, y1), the touch position P2 is defined as a coordinate (x2, y2), and the y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 which are obtained from the minimal light amounts in each of the lightreceiving ranges of the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 are matched.
For example, the light modulating intensity widths respectively corresponding to the y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 are converted into digital values. The y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 according to a light receiving time ofthe first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 and sizes of the light modulating intensity widths which are converted into the digital values, are arranged. The arranged y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 are cross-matched to output twocoordinates.
An arranging rule of the y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 is the following. The y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 are arranged in a plurality of columns. Each of the columns includes the y-axis coordinates obtained from thefirst and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 at the same time. Among the y-axis coordinates obtained at the same time, for example, among the y-axis coordinates in one column, the y-axis coordinate having a bigger size of the light modulatingintensity width is disposed higher and the y-axis coordinate having a smaller size of the light modulating intensity width is disposed lower.
For example, the y-axis coordinates obtained from each of the light emitting part S1, S2, S3 and S4 are arranged in a column, and total four columns may be arranged corresponding to the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 because the lightemitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 emit light at a different time.
According to the arranging rule, the y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 are grouped into a plurality of columns so that the columns are arranged in a horizontal direction in an order of obtaining time, and the y-axis coordinates in each ofthe columns are arranged in a vertical direction according to sizes of light modulating intensity widths w11, w12, w41 and w42 corresponding to the y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42. Arranging relationships of the y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41and y42 are the following.
TABLE-US-00001 y42 y11 y41 y12
Accordingly, the arranged y-axis coordinates y11, y12, y41 and y42 are cross-matched to deduct two coordinates which are a y-axis coordinate (y41, y11) and a y-axis coordinate (y42, y12). Therefore, the y-axis coordinate (y41, y11) issubstituted in Equations 3 and 4 to detect an xy coordinate (x1, y1) of the touch position (P1). Similarly, the y-axis coordinate (y42, y12) is substituted in Equations 3 and 4 to detect an xy coordinate (x2, y2) of the touch position (P2).
Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the light receiving ranges of the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 overlap with each other. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, differences among the light modulating intensity widths w11, w12, w41 andw42 exist according to distances between the touch points P1 and P2 and the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4, even though the light receiving ranges of the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 overlap with each other. Therefore, thearranging may be possible according to the arranging rule.
FIGS. 10A to 10H show number of cases of which the touch positions P1 and P2 are on each area of the light waveguide 100, and show matchings of the y-axis coordinates according to the cases when two touches occur. In addition, the touchpositions P1 and P2 may be detected using positions which are symmetric to the touch positions P1 and P2 with respect to the center 150 of the light waveguide 100.
The y-axis coordinates are obtained from the light amounts of the first and second light receiving parts 500 and 600 during each light emitting time of each of the light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 disposed at each of the corners 110, 120,130 and 140 of the light waveguide 100. The obtained y-axis coordinates are arranged through the arranging rule and cross-matched to deduct two coordinates. The touch positions P1 and P2 may be detected by substituting the deducted coordinates in thefollowing Equations 3, 4, 7 to 10.
The touch position detecting apparatus 10 is disposed over the display panel 90. The touch position detecting apparatus 10 includes a light waveguide 100, light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4, a first light receiving part 500, a second lightreceiving part 600 and a detecting part 700. The touch position detecting apparatus 10 according an exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as the touch position detecting apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 so that any repetitive explanation concerning theabove elements may be omitted. A method of detecting the touch position performed by the touch position detecting apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment may be substantially the same as the method illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B so that anyrepetitive explanation concerning the above elements may be omitted.
The touch position detecting apparatus 10 detects a touch position P to provide an information on the touch position P to the display panel 90 when an external touch occurs. The detecting part 700 is connected to a time controller of thedisplay panel 90 to provide the information on the touch position P to the display panel 90.
The display panel 90 is disposed under the light waveguide 100 to display an image through the light waveguide 100. The display panel 90 displays an image according to the touch position P provided from the touch position detecting apparatus10.
The display panel 90 includes a lower substrate 20, an upper substrate 30 facing the lower substrate 20 and a liquid crystal layer 40 formed between the lower and upper substrates 20 and 30. The display panel 90 may further include a polarizingplate 21 disposed under the lower substrate 20 and a polarizing plate 31 disposed over the upper substrate 30.
The lower substrate 20 may include a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines crossing the data lines, pixel areas defined by the data lines and gate lines, and thin-film transistors (TFTs) formed on the pixel areas. The TFTs provideimage signals from the data lines to the pixel areas in response to gate signals provided from the gate lines.
The upper substrate 30 includes a color filter 50. A common electrode, a black matrix, and other display panel elements, may be formed on the upper substrate 30. In the present exemplary embodiment, the color filter 50 and the common electrodeare formed on the upper substrate 30. Alternatively, the color filter 50 and the common electrode may be formed on the lower substrate 20.
The display apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a light waveguide 100 which is transparent, separated from the upper substrate 30 and disposed over the display panel 90. Thus, the light waveguide 100 protects thedisplay panel 90 so that the display apparatus 1 may be used as an outdoor display apparatus.
The touch position detecting apparatus 10 includes a light waveguide 100, light emitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4, a first light receiving part 500, a second light receiving part 600 and a detecting part 700. The touch position detectingapparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as the touch position detecting apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 so that any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements may be omitted. A method of detecting the touchposition performed by the touch position detecting apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as the method illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B so that any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements may be omitted.
The touch position detecting apparatus 10 detects a touch position P to provide information on the touch position P to the lower substrate 25 when an external touch occurs. The detecting part 700 is connected to a time controller of the lowersubstrate 25 to provide the information on the touch position P to the lower substrate 25.
The light waveguide 100 of the touch position detecting apparatus 10 may be used as an upper substrate in the display apparatus 5. The display apparatus 5 may further include a polarizing plate 26 disposed under the lower substrate 25 and apolarizing plate 36 disposed over the light waveguide 100.
The lower substrate 25 includes a color filter 55. The lower substrate 25 may include a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines crossing the data lines, pixel areas defined by the data lines and gate lines, and thin-film transistorsTFTs formed on the pixel areas. The TFTs provide image signals provided from the data lines to the pixel areas in response to gate signals provided from the gate lines.
The display apparatus 5 may further include a low refraction layer 70 between the liquid crystal layer 45 and the light waveguide 100. The low refraction layer 70 blocks light 311 not meeting an external obstacle among the lights from the lightemitting parts S1, S2, S3 and S4 so that the light 311 is not emitted to the liquid crystal layer 45. For example, a refraction index of the light waveguide 100 is about 1.5, and a refraction index of the low refraction layer 70 is less than or equal toabout 1.2, or greater than about 1.
The light waveguide 100 of the touch position detecting apparatus 10 may be used as an upper substrate in the display apparatus 5 according to an exemplary embodiment. Thus, a thickness of the display apparatus 5 may decrease so that thedisplay apparatus 5 may be used as an outdoor display apparatus or an indoor display apparatus.
The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the present invention.
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