Proximity and touch sensing surface for integration with a display
AssigneeSamsung Display Co., Ltd.
InventorDavid Hoffman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for hover detection and touch detection in a display. In one embodiment, a first set of infrared (IR) emitters illuminates the interior of a transparent layer and the IR light is confined to the interior of the layer by total internal reflection, unless an object, such as a finger, touches the surface of the layer. Additional IR emitters at a different wavelength illuminate the volume outside of the display for hover detection. Two sets of wavelength-selective IR sensors, such as quantum dot sensors, are embedded in the display and are used to localize one or more fingers touching, or hovering near, the display.
Claims18
A system for sensing proximity to, and touching of, a transparent layer having two principal surfaces, the layer forming the outer surface of a display, the system comprising:
- a first emitter of light, configured to emit light at a first infrared wavelength into a region between the two principal surfaces;
- a plurality of second emitters of light, configured to emit light at a second infrared wavelength differing from the first infrared wavelength and to illuminate a volume exterior to the display;
- a plurality of first sensors in the interior of the display, configured to sense light at the first infrared wavelength;
- and
- a plurality of second sensors, configured to sense light at the second infrared wavelength.
A method for sensing proximity to, and touching of, a transparent layer having two principal surfaces, the layer forming the outer surface of a display, the method comprising:
- emitting light at a first infrared wavelength, by a first emitter of light, into a region between the two principal surfaces;
- emitting light at a second infrared wavelength differing from the first infrared wavelength, by a plurality of second emitters of light, illuminating a volume exterior to the display;
- sensing light at the first infrared wavelength, by a plurality of first sensors in the interior of the display;
- and
- sensing light at the second infrared wavelength, by a plurality of second sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.