Multi-touch sensing light emitting diode display and method for using the same
AssigneeNew York University
InventorJefferson Y. Han
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method for both displaying graphical output and for sensing, e.g., multi-touch input are provided. A light-emitting diode (“LED”) matrix-array may be configured to both emit and sense light. The array may be driven in such a way so as to enable the array itself to act as the illumination source preferable for either reflective or scattering optical touch sensing. The need for additional opto-electronic components, or an external illumination source, is thus eliminated or at least reduced. Additionally, the matrix-arrays have large dimensions.
Claims59
A method for multi-touch sensing, comprising:
- generating at least one image on a screen using a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) so as to provide a visible light;
- receiving photometric first information from at least one of the plurality of LEDs based on at least two conditions, wherein at least one other of the plurality of LEDs is configured to emit the visible light such that the visible light is at least one of reflected or scattered back so as to be detected by the at least one of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the reflected or scattered-back light is used to generate the photometric first information;
- and
- determining second information as a function of the photometric first information based on at least one predetermined range of values associated with at least one of the conditions.
An apparatus for determining information from at least one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprising:
- a computer arrangement configured to (a) generate at least one image on a screen using at least one of the plurality of LEDs so as to provide a visible light, and (b) receive first information from at least one other of the plurality of LEDs based on at least two conditions, wherein the at least one of the LEDs is configured to emit the visible light such that the visible light is at least one of reflected or scattered back so as to be detected by the at least one other of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the reflected or scattered-back light is used to generate the first information,
- wherein the computer arrangement is further configured to determine second information based on (i) the first information and (ii) a predetermined criteria for at least one of the conditions.
An apparatus for controlling a plurality of LEDs, comprising a computer arrangement configured to (i) generate at least one image on a screen using the plurality of LEDs, (ii) interchange an emitter function and a detector function associated with at least one of the plurality of LEDs, and (iii) determine information associated with at least one touch based on light received by the at least one of the plurality of LEDs while performing the detector function.
A method for controlling a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprising:
- generating at least one image on a screen using the plurality of LEDs;
- interchanging an emitter function and a detector function associated with at least one of the plurality of LEDs;
- and
- determining information associated with at least one touch based on light received by the at least one of the plurality of LEDs while performing the detector function.
A method for controlling at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprising:
- generating at least one image on a screen using a first LED of the at least two LEDs and a second LED of the at least two LEDs;
- emitting light from the first LED of the LEDs;
- detecting the light by the second LED;
- and
- determining first photometric information based on data associated with the second LED detecting the light, wherein the light is at least one of reflected or scattered back after being emitted from the first LED.
An apparatus for controlling at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprising:
- an arrangement including a computer that is configured to (i) generate at least one image on a screen using light from a first LED of the at least two LEDs and a second LED of the at least two LEDs, (ii) control an emission of light from the first LED, and (iii) determine first photometric information based on the second LED detecting light that is at least one of reflected or scattered back after being emitted from the first LED.
An apparatus for determining multiple touches with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprising:
- a computer configured to generating at least one image on a screen which extends along a first plane, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a matrix having at least two dimensions;
- a controller configured to, for at least a particular one of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs:
- (i) cause an illumination by the at least particular one of the LEDs so as to emit light along a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane;
- (ii) terminate the illumination of the light from the at least particular one of the LEDs;
- (iii) detect the light with the at least particular one of the LEDs while not emitting light;
- (iv) identify an object based on an increase in detected light.
An apparatus for detecting light, comprising:
- a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs),
- wherein at least one first LED Of the plurality of LEDs is configured to provide a first light in a first direction toward a screen that extends along a plane, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the plane, and wherein at least one second LED of the plurality of LEDs is configured to receive or detect a second light which is a reflection or a scattering of the first light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.