Abstract: An optical touch screen that utilizes a planar transparent sheet and that is configured to determine the position of a touch event on the transparent sheet is disclosed. Light-source elements and light-sensing elements are operably disposed at the transparent sheet perimeter. Light is detected over lines-of-sight between the light-source elements and the light-sensing elements. Attenuated lines-of-sight due to a touch event are determined. Polygons are established by overlapping triangles defined by the limiting lines of sight for each light-sensing element. Polygons with attenuations below the attenuation threshold are eliminated. The centers of the remaining polygons are then determined to establish the locations of the touch events. The systems and methods provide robust detection of multiple touch events.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of glass wafers as carriers, interposers, or in other selected applications in which electronic circuitry or operative elements, such as transistors, are formed in the creation of electronic devices. The glass wafers generally include a glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or substantially equal to a coefficient of thermal expansion of semiconductor silicon, an indexing feature, and a coating on at least a portion of one face of the glass.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a touch sensitive display, in which a transparent layer is disposed over a display layer; light is directed to propagate into and/or through the transparent layer; scattered light is measured in response to an object touching a surface the transparent layer and disturbing the propagation of the light therethrough; and one or more positions at which the object touches the transparent layer are computed based on signals obtained by the step of measuring the scattered light.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of glass wafers as carriers, interposers, or in other selected applications in which electronic circuitry or operative elements, such as transistors, are formed in the creation of electronic devices. The glass wafers generally include a glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or substantially equal to a coefficient of thermal expansion of semiconductor silicon, an indexing feature, and a coating on at least a portion of one face of the glass.

Abstract: A high optical transmittance glass for use in electronic touch screen applications is disclosed. The glass materials are principally directed to use in frustrated total internal reflection applications. The glass compositions are composed of either low concentrations of light-absorbing compounds or have low levels of scattering centers to minimize the amount of light attenuation as the light propagates through the material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a touch sensitive display, in which a transparent layer is disposed over a display layer; light is directed to propagate into and/or through the transparent layer; scattered light is measured in response to an object touching a surface the transparent layer and disturbing the propagation of the light therethrough; and one or more positions at which the object touches the transparent layer are computed based on signals obtained by the step of measuring the scattered light.

Abstract: A hybrid touch system that utilizes a combination of a capacitive touch system for position sensing and an optical touch system for pressure sensing is disclosed. The optical touch system includes a transparent sheet having a surface, at least one light source and at least one detector which are operably arranged relative to the transparent sheet to transmit light through the sheet and to detect the transmitted light. Performing position sensing using the capacitive touch system simplifies the pressure-sensing optical touch system.

Abstract: A touch system for sensing a touch event that includes a transparent sheet having opposite upper and lower surfaces and an index of refraction n2. The system also has at least one light source that emits light. The light source is arranged in optical communication with the transparent sheet to cause the light to travel within the transparent sheet by total-internal reflection (TIR). At least one detector is arranged to detect the TIR-traveling light and to detect an amount of attenuation in the TIR-traveling light caused by the touch event. An interface layer is disposed on the lower surface of the transparent sheet. The interface layer has a refractive index n1, wherein n1<n2, and has a thickness of equal to or greater than 1 micron. The interface layer obviates the need for an air gap when interfacing the touch system to a display unit of display device.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing touch system that utilizes total-internal reflection of light is disclosed. The touch system includes a transparent sheet having a surface. At least one light source and at least one detector are operably arranged relative to the transparent sheet respective to transmit light through the sheet and to detect the transmitted light. A touch event at the top surface of the transparent sheet causes light to scatter from the transparent sheet, thereby changing the amount of light received at the detector. Since the amount of scattered light generated at the touch event location is a function of the applied pressure at the touch event, the change in the detector signal is used to determine the relative amount of applied pressure. Embodiments that include multiple waveguides and channel waveguides, as well as force-sensing devices, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical touch screen that utilizes a planar transparent sheet and that is configured to determine the position of a touch event on the transparent sheet is disclosed. Light-source elements and light-sensing elements are operably disposed at a perimeter of the transparent sheet. Light is detected over lines-of-sight between the light-source elements and the light-sensing elements. Attenuated lines-of-sight due to the touch event are determined. Central lines are established based on the attenuated lines-of-sight. The locations of central-line intersections are then established. The average of the locations of the central-line intersections is then used to establish the location of the touch event.

Abstract: An optical touch screen that utilizes a planar transparent sheet and that is configured to determine the position of a touch event on the transparent sheet is disclosed. Light-source elements and light-sensing elements are operably disposed at the transparent sheet perimeter. Light is detected over lines-of-sight between the light-source elements and the light-sensing elements. Attenuated lines-of-sight due to a touch event are determined. Polygons are established by overlapping triangles defined by the limiting lines of sight for each light-sensing element. Polygons with attenuations below the attenuation threshold are eliminated. The centers of the remaining polygons are then determined to establish the locations of the touch events. The systems and methods provide robust detection of multiple touch events.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of glass wafers as carriers, interposers, or in other selected applications in which electronic circuitry or operative elements, such as transistors, are formed in the creation of electronic devices. The glass wafers generally include a glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or substantially equal to a coefficient of thermal expansion of semiconductor silicon, an indexing feature, and a coating on at least a portion of one face of the glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing whether a liquid with a turbulent surface and contained within a vessel has fallen to a level where the liquid is substantially expended. The apparatus includes a light source for emitting light, a light sensor which is sensitive to the light emitted by the light source and which outputs a signal proportionate to the amount of light sensed, and logic for determining from fluctuations in the signal output by the light sensor when the liquid has fallen to the level in the vessel where the liquid is substantially expended. The fluctuations in the signal are caused by randomness in reflections of the emitted light due to the turbulence of the surface of the liquid. Where the vessel has a closed top and the liquid initially fills the vessel, the logic additionally uses the magnitude of the signal from the light sensor to determine when the liquid has fallen to the level where it is substantially expended.