Abstract: A touch panel including a generally planar surface, at least two illuminators, for illuminating a sensing plane generally parallel to the generally planar surface, at least one selectably actuable reflector operative, when actuated, to reflect light from at least one of the at least two illuminators, at least one sensor for generating an output based on sensing light in the sensing plane and a processor which receives the output from the at least one sensor, and provides a touch location output indication.

Abstract: An optical touch panel including a support defining a detection region, an optical illumination assembly including at least two edge emitting optical light guides extending along adjacent portions of the detection region and having ends adjacent to one another and at least one mechanical coupling and optical coupling assembly, at least one sensor assembly, operative to detect changes in the light received from the optical illumination assembly produced by the presence of an object in the detection region and detection circuitry receiving at least one output from the at least one sensor assembly and providing an output indication of the two dimensional location of object impingement in the detection region.

Abstract: An optical touch panel including a support defining a generally planar surface, an optical illumination assembly arranged along and above at least part of a periphery of the support to define a detection region, at least one light detector, arranged to detect changes in the light received from the optical illumination assembly produced by the presence of an object in the detection region and detection circuitry receiving at least one output from the at least one light detector and providing an output indication of the two dimensional location of object impingement in the detection region.

Abstract: An optical touch panel including a support defining a generally planar surface, an optical illumination assembly arranged along and above at least part of a periphery of the support to define a detection region, at least one light detector, arranged to detect changes in the light received from the optical illumination assembly produced by the presence of an object in the detection region and detection circuitry receiving at least one output from the at least one light detector and providing an output indication of the two dimensional location of object impingement in the detection region.

Abstract: An optical touch panel including a support defining a generally planar surface, an optical illumination assembly arranged along and above at least part of a periphery of the support to define a detection region, at least one light detector, arranged to detect changes in the light received from the optical illumination assembly produced by the presence of an object in the detection region and detection circuitry receiving at least one output from the at least one light detector and providing an output indication of the two dimensional location of object impingement in the detection region.

Abstract: An optical touch panel including a support, an optical fiber illumination assembly arranged along and above at least part of a periphery of the support to define a detection region, the assembly including at least one optical fiber and a light source arranged for directing light along the at least one optical fiber, at least one light detector, arranged to detect changes in the light received from the optical fiber illumination assembly produced by the presence of a finger or stylus in the detection region and detection circuitry receiving at least one output from the at least one light detector and providing an output indication of the two dimensional location of finger or stylus impingement in the detection region.

Abstract: An optical system including at least one optical fiber having a core and cladding, the at least one optical fiber having a cross section defining a circumference, the at least one optical fiber having at least one light scattering discontinuity at least one location therealong, the at least one optical fiber having optical power at least one light transmissive region having a focus located in proximity to the discontinuity, the at least one light scattering discontinuity having an angular extent of less than ten percent of the circumference and the at least one light transmissive region having an angular extent of more than 25% of the circumference and a light source arranged for directing light along the at least one optical fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring hand propinquity to plural adjacent item locations arranged in a generally two-dimensional array including an illuminator, disposed adjacent a first edge of the two-dimensional array and generating radiation which illuminates a generally planar imaginary curtain disposed in front of the plural adjacent item locations, at least one detector, disposed adjacent the first edge of the array and sensing the radiation reflected from a hand traversing the imaginary curtain generally at any location on the curtain and location determination circuitry responsive to at least one output of the at least one detector for associating a sensed position of the hand with respect to one of the plural adjacent item locations.