Abstract: A touch panel system allows multiple simultaneous touch objects on a touch panel to be distinguished. The touch panel includes on its periphery a first plurality of light transmitters and a second plurality of light sensors, each positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter of the touch panel. A processor in communication with the at least one light sensor acquires light intensity data from the sensor(s), wherein any one or more touch objects placed within a touch detectable region of the panel interrupts at least a subset of light paths between transmitter and sensor. Based on the interrupted light paths, the processor generates a touch input vector that represents the placement of each touch object on the touch panel.

Abstract: A touch panel method and system detects one or more touch objects placed on a surface of a touch panel and assigns consistent ID, position, size and convex contour to each touch object. The method and system allows multiple simultaneous touch objects on the touch panel to be distinguished. The touch panel includes on its periphery at least one light transmitter and at least one light sensor, each positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter of the touch panel. A processor in communication with the at least one light sensor acquires light intensity data from the sensor(s), wherein any one or more touch objects placed within a touch detectable region of the panel interrupts at least a subset of light paths between transmitter and sensor. Based on the interrupted light paths, the processor generates a touch input vector (assigned ID and spatial properties) that represents the placement of each touch object on the touch panel.

Abstract: A touch panel method and system detects one or more touch objects placed on a surface of a touch panel and assigns consistent ID, position, size and convex contour to each touch object. The method and system allows multiple simultaneous touch objects on the touch panel to be distinguished. The touch panel includes on its periphery at least one light transmitter and at least one light sensor, each positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter of the touch panel. A processor in communication with the at least one light sensor acquires light intensity data from the sensor(s), wherein any one or more touch objects placed within a touch detectable region of the panel interrupts at least a subset of light paths between transmitter and sensor. Based on the interrupted light paths, the processor generates a touch input vector (assigned ID and spatial properties) that represents the placement of each touch object on the touch panel.