Touchscreen with a light modulator

#Not Applicable

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention generally relates to touchscreens. More specifically, the present invention relates to a touchscreen with a light modulator.

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a touchscreen unit of a device of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is an isolated top view of a touchscreen unit of a device of the present invention.

#FIG. 2A is an isolated bottom view of a touchscreen unit of a device of the present invention.

#An exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a touchscreen unit 27 of a device 25 is shown in FIG. 1. The touchscreen unit 27 preferably comprises a touchscreen surface 51, a first VHB adhesive 52 for attaching the touchscreen surface 51 to a main body 53, a sensor LED 54, a main PCBA 55, an elastomeric connector 56, a liquid crystal cell 57, a protective surface element 58 adhered with a second VHB adhesive 59 to a protective plate 60, wherein a plurality of screws 61 are threaded through a plurality of apertures to connect the components of the touchscreen unit 27.

#FIGS. 2, 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate various isolated views of the touchscreen unit 27. The touchscreen unit 27 preferably has a thickness T2, as shown in FIG. 2C that ranges from 4 millimeters (“mm”) to 10 mm, more preferably from 5 mm to 8 mm, and most preferably 6 mm. The touchscreen unit 27 preferably has a width W2 that ranges from 100 mm to 200 mm, more preferably from 110 mm to 150 mm, and most preferably 120 mm to 135 mm. The touchscreen unit 27 preferably has a length D2 that ranges from 180 mm to 300 mm, more preferably from 190 mm to 260 mm, and most preferably from 210 mm to 230 mm. The touchscreen unit 27 has a housing 29, an outer touchscreen display 30 and an inner touchscreen display 31. The housing 29 is preferably composed of a thixomolded magnesium material to provide lightweight strength and durability. The touchscreen unit 27 also preferably has a magnetic mating surface 50a for engaging a main unit 26 of the device 25 and for charging a battery of the touchscreen unit 27. A radiofrequency (“RF”) communication component, a battery, LCD driver and integrated circuit electronics for the touchscreen unit 27 are preferably placed within the housing 29 at a region 29b, as shown in FIG. 2. An outer surface the touchscreen unit 27 preferably has a polycarbonate or acrylic IR multi-touch surface that extends beyond the outer touchscreen display 30, preferably for a mouse function. The inner surface of the touchscreen unit 27 also preferably has a protective polycarbonate sheet.

#FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B illustrate various isolated views of the main unit 26 of the device 25. The main unit 26 preferably has a thickness T1, as shown in FIG. 3B that ranges from 8 mm to 25 mm, more preferably from 10 mm to 20 mm, and most preferably 14 mm. As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 26 preferably has a width, W1, that ranges from 100 mm to 200 mm, more preferably from 110 mm to 150 mm, and most preferably 120 mm to 135 mm. The main unit 26 preferably has a length, D1, that ranges from 180 mm to 300 mm, more preferably from 190 mm to 260 mm, and most preferably from 210 mm to 230 mm. The main unit 26 has a housing 28 and a LCD display 40. The housing 28 is preferably composed of a thixomolded magnesium material to provide lightweight strength and durability. The housing 28 of the main unit 26 also preferably has a magnetic mating surface 50 for engaging and for charging a battery of the touchscreen unit 27. As shown in FIG. 3B, a region 28a is preferably composed of an ABS plastic material to allow for transmissions from a RF antenna location within the housing 28 in this region 28a. As shown in FIG. 3A, a region 28b is a magnesium casing region of the housing 28, a region 28c is a location of a battery, and a region 28d is a region of the electronics for the main unit 26.