CA2273113A1 - Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor - Google Patents
Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor Download PDFInfo
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- CA2273113A1 CA2273113A1 CA002273113A CA2273113A CA2273113A1 CA 2273113 A1 CA2273113 A1 CA 2273113A1 CA 002273113 A CA002273113 A CA 002273113A CA 2273113 A CA2273113 A CA 2273113A CA 2273113 A1 CA2273113 A1 CA 2273113A1
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- wave energy
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- compressible substrate
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
- G06F3/0421—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
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- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
Abstract
A touch pad for controlling electronic equipment includes a deformable touch surface and a compressible pad body in contact with the touch surface. The compressible body is formed from a material which scatters or diffuses light within the material.
Multiple sources of light or other wave energy are directed into the interior of the substrate to form multiple illuminated cells inside the pad body. Each illuminated cell forms an integrated cavity within the pad body. A detector in communication with the compressible material detects light intensity within the integrated cavity. A
processor receives signals from the detector and converts the signals into useable information relating to the position of regions of compression of the pad.
Multiple sources of light or other wave energy are directed into the interior of the substrate to form multiple illuminated cells inside the pad body. Each illuminated cell forms an integrated cavity within the pad body. A detector in communication with the compressible material detects light intensity within the integrated cavity. A
processor receives signals from the detector and converts the signals into useable information relating to the position of regions of compression of the pad.
Description
TOUCH PAD USING A NON-ELECTRICAL DEFORMABLE PRESSURE
SENSOR
Field of the invention The present invention relates to touch pads for controlling electronic equipment. More particularly the invention relates to touch pads using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor. The invention also relates to pressure detection within a touch pad, mediated through changes in intensity of light or other wave energy within a compressible medium, within regions of the pad surrounding multiple light source linked to the pad.
Background of the Prior Art So called "touch pads" are commonly used to control electronic equipment. A
well-known application of this device is for control of a computer, namely the familiar "touch pad"
associated with many laptops. Touch pads can also be used to control other types of equipment, and they have the potential within many fields of application to provide a simple, highly accurate and easy to use control means.
Touch pads consist of devices which detect the position of an "indentor" and use this information to effect some form of control. The indentor can be a finger or fingers, other parts of the body, or a tool like a pen or stylus which is wielded by the user.
Virtually all touch pads now in use rely in one respect or other on electrical circuitry within the pad. Some touch pads, like those used on many laptop computers, are based on sensing of the electrical properties of the indentor, such as its capacitance. These pads are well suited to locating the position of a finger, which is used to control a pointer on the computer display. They typically do not register the pressure exerted by a finger, nor do they respond to an electrically inert indentor such as a pencil.
Other touch pads are based upon force sensitive resistor technology. This technique allows the detection of the pressure exerted by an indentor, as well as the horizontal position of the indentor. In addition to fingers, it allows the use of an electrically inert indentor. Touch pads based on this technology are becoming more widely used as computer input devices.
Yet other touch pads are commonly called graphics tablets. These require specialized indentors, which work in conjunction with the tablets. With some tablets, the indentors emit acoustic energy which is timed by the tablet to compute the location of the indentor. Others use an inductive principle to locate the location of the indentor, sometimes its pressure and even its tilt with respect to the horizontal plane.
There is a need for touch pads that do not require specialized indentors, which can be expensive and not as convenient or expressive as fingers, for example. There is a need for touch pads which can simultaneously locate several indentors - this would allow for the capture of gestures made by several fingers, and the use of those gestures to achieve some form of control. There is also the need for touch pads that are relatively inexpensive to produce, and which do not rely on electrical sensing systems to measure the location of indentors.
Humans typically use several fingers simultaneously to control various tools, musical instniments, toys, and to communicate. Computer applications such as control systems for machines, drawing programs, musical synthesizers and video games would benefit from the use of expressive controllers which allow the input of complex mufti-touch gestures. Touch pads to capture such gestures could be produced using electrical sensing techniques.
However, the multiplicity of individual touch sensors required leads to expensive devices, and the low level electrical signals from such sensors are susceptible to electrical noise at a level which could drown the usable signal.
It is proposed to provide a touch pad that relies on a pressure sensor of the type described within PCT publication no. WO 99/04234. This type of pressure sensor relies on a deformable integrating (i.e. capable of scattering and/or diffusing light) cavity for detecting a pressure applied to the cavity. Typically, the arrangement is comprised of a compressible material such as a translucent foam, which receives wave energy such as light from a source.
SENSOR
Field of the invention The present invention relates to touch pads for controlling electronic equipment. More particularly the invention relates to touch pads using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor. The invention also relates to pressure detection within a touch pad, mediated through changes in intensity of light or other wave energy within a compressible medium, within regions of the pad surrounding multiple light source linked to the pad.
Background of the Prior Art So called "touch pads" are commonly used to control electronic equipment. A
well-known application of this device is for control of a computer, namely the familiar "touch pad"
associated with many laptops. Touch pads can also be used to control other types of equipment, and they have the potential within many fields of application to provide a simple, highly accurate and easy to use control means.
Touch pads consist of devices which detect the position of an "indentor" and use this information to effect some form of control. The indentor can be a finger or fingers, other parts of the body, or a tool like a pen or stylus which is wielded by the user.
Virtually all touch pads now in use rely in one respect or other on electrical circuitry within the pad. Some touch pads, like those used on many laptop computers, are based on sensing of the electrical properties of the indentor, such as its capacitance. These pads are well suited to locating the position of a finger, which is used to control a pointer on the computer display. They typically do not register the pressure exerted by a finger, nor do they respond to an electrically inert indentor such as a pencil.
Other touch pads are based upon force sensitive resistor technology. This technique allows the detection of the pressure exerted by an indentor, as well as the horizontal position of the indentor. In addition to fingers, it allows the use of an electrically inert indentor. Touch pads based on this technology are becoming more widely used as computer input devices.
Yet other touch pads are commonly called graphics tablets. These require specialized indentors, which work in conjunction with the tablets. With some tablets, the indentors emit acoustic energy which is timed by the tablet to compute the location of the indentor. Others use an inductive principle to locate the location of the indentor, sometimes its pressure and even its tilt with respect to the horizontal plane.
There is a need for touch pads that do not require specialized indentors, which can be expensive and not as convenient or expressive as fingers, for example. There is a need for touch pads which can simultaneously locate several indentors - this would allow for the capture of gestures made by several fingers, and the use of those gestures to achieve some form of control. There is also the need for touch pads that are relatively inexpensive to produce, and which do not rely on electrical sensing systems to measure the location of indentors.
Humans typically use several fingers simultaneously to control various tools, musical instniments, toys, and to communicate. Computer applications such as control systems for machines, drawing programs, musical synthesizers and video games would benefit from the use of expressive controllers which allow the input of complex mufti-touch gestures. Touch pads to capture such gestures could be produced using electrical sensing techniques.
However, the multiplicity of individual touch sensors required leads to expensive devices, and the low level electrical signals from such sensors are susceptible to electrical noise at a level which could drown the usable signal.
It is proposed to provide a touch pad that relies on a pressure sensor of the type described within PCT publication no. WO 99/04234. This type of pressure sensor relies on a deformable integrating (i.e. capable of scattering and/or diffusing light) cavity for detecting a pressure applied to the cavity. Typically, the arrangement is comprised of a compressible material such as a translucent foam, which receives wave energy such as light from a source.
The wave energy employed within such devices is most commonly light.
Throughout the present patent specification, it will be understood that the term "light"
embraces wave energy of any suitable form, including electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible spectra.
A detector within or adjacent the optical cavity and spaced apart from the source detects intensity of the scattered and diffused light or other wave energy within the compressible material. The sensor operates on the principle whereby the deformation of the material decreases the effective size of the integrating optical cavity and thereby increases the light intensity in the region around the source. Thus, in the case where the source and detector are adjacent to each other or in the vicinity of each other, they will both reside within a common "optical integrated cavity" , the boundaries of which are established by the illuminated zone created by the light source. Light within the cavity is fully integrated by the nature of the material which forms the sensor body. That is, light received at any single point within the cavity emanates from all directions generally evenly. An increase in pressure on the material and consequent deformation in the region of the light source results in a consequent increase in the intensity of light within the optical cavity and detected by the detector. The signal corresponding to the intensity detected by the detector is transmitted to a processing unit which in turn quantifies the pressure experienced by the material.
In one version, the light source and detector each comprise multiple fiber optic strands leading to and from a central controller. Within this arrangement, multiple sensors can be spaced throughout the sensor mass in such a way that they can detect the pressures from multiple indentors. For example, a sheet of deformable material may be underlain with a planar array of light emitter/detector pairs, which detect and localize deformation of a particular portion of the sheet.
This principle is particularly advantageous for use with touch pads, since it allows the variable spacing of sensors within a flexible material, with the spacing and the material itself optimized to detect the range of pressures expected from particular types of indentors.
It is also desirable, in order to minimize cost and complexity, to provide a light-based sensor which achieves a highly sensitive, multi-indentor detectibility with a minimum number of light sources and detectors.
Summary of the Invention The invention comprises in one aspect a touch pad for controlling an electronic instrument, comprising the following elements:
a deformable and flexible touch surface or membrane forming an upper surface of the pad;
a resilient compressible pad body in contact with the membrane, the compressible material being translucent to light and capable of forming therein an integrated optical cavity for scattering or diffusing wave energy such as light;
multiple wave energy sources and detectors in communication with the pad body, positioned to form within the pad body contiguous cells, each comprising an optical integrating cavity whereby localized compression of the pad by one or more indentors increases the light intensity within one or more corresponding cells;
processing means to receive signals from the detectors and convert the signals into useable information relating to the position of regions of compression within the pad caused by indentors;
and linkage means to transmit said useable information to the instrument.
Conveniently, the compressible material may comprise a deformable, light translucent material such as open or closed cell foam, and the wave energy sources and receivers respectively may comprise fiber optic cables, associated with a light source and detector respectively.
In a further aspect, the mechanical properties of the surface membrane may be selected such that pressure exerted by an indentor is spread horizontally so as to cause the subsequent deformation of the compressible material to be spread horizontally and to be detectable by receivers located at some horizontal distance from the indentor. The appropriate selection of surface material also detenmines the minimum force which will cause a compression in the compressible material which is detectable by one or more receivers, and the force of shortest duration which is so detectable.
In a further aspect, the mechanical properties and surface properties of the surface membrane may be varied locally by the application of paints or other surface coating, or by the application of other surface layers which change locally the horizontal communication of compressive forces in the compressible material, the minimum detectable force and the force of shortest duration which may be detected by one or more receivers.
In a further aspect, a reflective material may be used directly beneath the source and detector, thereby ensuring that a maximum amount of the energy supplied to the compressible material by the source is directed into the compressive material, and available for scattering back to the detector.
In a further aspect, the pad body may be attached to a rigid base. In this case, the vertical travel of the indentor, and thus the maximum force which can be detected is constrained.
Alternatively, the pad body may have no base, or may be attached to a comparatively flexible base. With a flexible base, the deformation of the compressible material produces a measure of the bending and flexing of the pad, as well as any pressures exerted on it.
In a further aspect, a multiplexed arrangement of light sources and receivers comprise fiber optic strands are attached to multiple sources and receivers such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodiodes. Conveniently, these may be arranged so that individual electronic devices are not required for fiber optic strand. With this multiplexing arrangement, multiple fiber optic strands may be interfaced to a single emitter such as an LED. The corresponding receivers comprise multiple sets of receiver lines, each set interfaced to an individual receiver such as a photodiode. The groups of emitter and receiver lines form a matrix whereby within any given pair of cells formed within the pad, the respective emitter strands are linked to different sources and the respective receiver strands are linked to different detectors within the CPU. Thus, when the first LED is activated, the response from a corresponding photodiode is a measure of the pressure detected within a given cell. When a second LED
is activated, a response from the same photodiode is a measure of the pressure detected by a second set positionally removed from the first cell. The above arrangement with two receiver strands linked to each detector, thus permits a highly effective touch pad sensor which reduces by half the number of photodetectors required within the CPU, and requires only two light sources. The use of additional light sources permits a fi~rther reduction in the number of detectors. By contemplating a rapidly sequentially switching pattern within LED's so connected, and detecting the resulting responses from the photodiodes, a large number of cells may be provided with a relatively small number of photodetectors.
In a further aspect, the receiver fiber optic strands may be attached to linear or area photodiode detectors, thereby further reducing the number of electronic devices required for a large array of pressure sensors, and hence the cost and complexity of the touch pad.
In a fixrther aspect, the receivers may be connected to a processor having appropriate analogue and/or digital circuitry so that the response from each receiver may be measured, corrected for error effects, and supplied in such a format to be able to effect control over a computer or other machine. The processing may have the effect of comparing the responses from several pressures sensors which have been activated by a single indentor. The relative responses may be used to calculate an accurate horizontal position and shape of the indentor, as well as the total pressure exerted by that indentor. Calculations for multiple indentors can be done at the same time in this fashion.
In a further aspect, the invention comprises a method for providing control signals to a computer or other electronic apparatus, by means of the following steps:
- providing a touch-pad composed of a deformable, flexible membrane forming an upper surface of the pad, a resilient, compressible pad body in contact with the membrane, the material of which is translucent to light and capable of forming within the material an integrated optical cavity for scattering or diffusing wave energy such as light; multiple light sources and detectors in communication with the compressible material, and positioned to create a cellular arrangement of contiguous optical cavities substantially covering the entirety of the pad body;
Throughout the present patent specification, it will be understood that the term "light"
embraces wave energy of any suitable form, including electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible spectra.
A detector within or adjacent the optical cavity and spaced apart from the source detects intensity of the scattered and diffused light or other wave energy within the compressible material. The sensor operates on the principle whereby the deformation of the material decreases the effective size of the integrating optical cavity and thereby increases the light intensity in the region around the source. Thus, in the case where the source and detector are adjacent to each other or in the vicinity of each other, they will both reside within a common "optical integrated cavity" , the boundaries of which are established by the illuminated zone created by the light source. Light within the cavity is fully integrated by the nature of the material which forms the sensor body. That is, light received at any single point within the cavity emanates from all directions generally evenly. An increase in pressure on the material and consequent deformation in the region of the light source results in a consequent increase in the intensity of light within the optical cavity and detected by the detector. The signal corresponding to the intensity detected by the detector is transmitted to a processing unit which in turn quantifies the pressure experienced by the material.
In one version, the light source and detector each comprise multiple fiber optic strands leading to and from a central controller. Within this arrangement, multiple sensors can be spaced throughout the sensor mass in such a way that they can detect the pressures from multiple indentors. For example, a sheet of deformable material may be underlain with a planar array of light emitter/detector pairs, which detect and localize deformation of a particular portion of the sheet.
This principle is particularly advantageous for use with touch pads, since it allows the variable spacing of sensors within a flexible material, with the spacing and the material itself optimized to detect the range of pressures expected from particular types of indentors.
It is also desirable, in order to minimize cost and complexity, to provide a light-based sensor which achieves a highly sensitive, multi-indentor detectibility with a minimum number of light sources and detectors.
Summary of the Invention The invention comprises in one aspect a touch pad for controlling an electronic instrument, comprising the following elements:
a deformable and flexible touch surface or membrane forming an upper surface of the pad;
a resilient compressible pad body in contact with the membrane, the compressible material being translucent to light and capable of forming therein an integrated optical cavity for scattering or diffusing wave energy such as light;
multiple wave energy sources and detectors in communication with the pad body, positioned to form within the pad body contiguous cells, each comprising an optical integrating cavity whereby localized compression of the pad by one or more indentors increases the light intensity within one or more corresponding cells;
processing means to receive signals from the detectors and convert the signals into useable information relating to the position of regions of compression within the pad caused by indentors;
and linkage means to transmit said useable information to the instrument.
Conveniently, the compressible material may comprise a deformable, light translucent material such as open or closed cell foam, and the wave energy sources and receivers respectively may comprise fiber optic cables, associated with a light source and detector respectively.
In a further aspect, the mechanical properties of the surface membrane may be selected such that pressure exerted by an indentor is spread horizontally so as to cause the subsequent deformation of the compressible material to be spread horizontally and to be detectable by receivers located at some horizontal distance from the indentor. The appropriate selection of surface material also detenmines the minimum force which will cause a compression in the compressible material which is detectable by one or more receivers, and the force of shortest duration which is so detectable.
In a further aspect, the mechanical properties and surface properties of the surface membrane may be varied locally by the application of paints or other surface coating, or by the application of other surface layers which change locally the horizontal communication of compressive forces in the compressible material, the minimum detectable force and the force of shortest duration which may be detected by one or more receivers.
In a further aspect, a reflective material may be used directly beneath the source and detector, thereby ensuring that a maximum amount of the energy supplied to the compressible material by the source is directed into the compressive material, and available for scattering back to the detector.
In a further aspect, the pad body may be attached to a rigid base. In this case, the vertical travel of the indentor, and thus the maximum force which can be detected is constrained.
Alternatively, the pad body may have no base, or may be attached to a comparatively flexible base. With a flexible base, the deformation of the compressible material produces a measure of the bending and flexing of the pad, as well as any pressures exerted on it.
In a further aspect, a multiplexed arrangement of light sources and receivers comprise fiber optic strands are attached to multiple sources and receivers such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodiodes. Conveniently, these may be arranged so that individual electronic devices are not required for fiber optic strand. With this multiplexing arrangement, multiple fiber optic strands may be interfaced to a single emitter such as an LED. The corresponding receivers comprise multiple sets of receiver lines, each set interfaced to an individual receiver such as a photodiode. The groups of emitter and receiver lines form a matrix whereby within any given pair of cells formed within the pad, the respective emitter strands are linked to different sources and the respective receiver strands are linked to different detectors within the CPU. Thus, when the first LED is activated, the response from a corresponding photodiode is a measure of the pressure detected within a given cell. When a second LED
is activated, a response from the same photodiode is a measure of the pressure detected by a second set positionally removed from the first cell. The above arrangement with two receiver strands linked to each detector, thus permits a highly effective touch pad sensor which reduces by half the number of photodetectors required within the CPU, and requires only two light sources. The use of additional light sources permits a fi~rther reduction in the number of detectors. By contemplating a rapidly sequentially switching pattern within LED's so connected, and detecting the resulting responses from the photodiodes, a large number of cells may be provided with a relatively small number of photodetectors.
In a further aspect, the receiver fiber optic strands may be attached to linear or area photodiode detectors, thereby further reducing the number of electronic devices required for a large array of pressure sensors, and hence the cost and complexity of the touch pad.
In a fixrther aspect, the receivers may be connected to a processor having appropriate analogue and/or digital circuitry so that the response from each receiver may be measured, corrected for error effects, and supplied in such a format to be able to effect control over a computer or other machine. The processing may have the effect of comparing the responses from several pressures sensors which have been activated by a single indentor. The relative responses may be used to calculate an accurate horizontal position and shape of the indentor, as well as the total pressure exerted by that indentor. Calculations for multiple indentors can be done at the same time in this fashion.
In a further aspect, the invention comprises a method for providing control signals to a computer or other electronic apparatus, by means of the following steps:
- providing a touch-pad composed of a deformable, flexible membrane forming an upper surface of the pad, a resilient, compressible pad body in contact with the membrane, the material of which is translucent to light and capable of forming within the material an integrated optical cavity for scattering or diffusing wave energy such as light; multiple light sources and detectors in communication with the compressible material, and positioned to create a cellular arrangement of contiguous optical cavities substantially covering the entirety of the pad body;
and processing means to receive signals from the detectors;
- transmitting light through the energy sources into the pad body, thereby forming a generally continuous array of individual optical cavities within the pad body;
- contacting the membrane with one or more depressors, thereby compressing one or more corresponding optical cavities within the pad body;
- detecting the compressed region within the pad body, by measuring the corresponding increase in light intensity within the pad body by the detectors;
- transmitting the resulting information from the detectors to a controller;
- converting the information from the detectors, to control information in a form useable to the equipment being controlled thereby; and - transmitting the resulting control information to the equipment, thereby controlling the equipment.
In a further aspect, the invention comprises a combination of the apparatus described above, and an article of equipment or a computer controlled thereby.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is schematic side elevational view of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a second schematic elevational view, transverse to the first elevation;
Figure 3 (a) is a plan view illustrating a first optical fiber layout, showing the linkages associated with the light emitters;
Figure 3(b) is a view as in Figure 3(a), showing linkages associated with the light receptors;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the invention illustrating an alternative optical fiber layout.
_$_ Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to Figure 1, a touch pad 10 according to the preferred embodiment is herein described. A pad body 2 formed from a compressible layer is shown mounted on a rigid base 6. The pad body 2 is formed from a compressible light translucent material such as closed or open cell foam material. A surface membrane 1 forms the uppermost layer of the pad. The membrane is composed of a flexible, durable material such as a fabric or polymeric sheet. The degree of flexibility required of the membrane will depend on the resiliency of the underlying layer 2, and the desired tactile qualities of the device. This membrane 1 may be attached to the pad body with an adhesive, or the compressible material of the pad body may be manufactured in conjunction with the membrane and fused thereto. The region 7 within the pad body indicates a zone of local compression of the pad caused by an indentor such as a user's finger. The bottom surface of the pad body 2 is fastened to the base 6 by a layer of double-sided adhesive 4. Alternatively, the pad body may be manufactured in conjunction with the other elements of the pad. Multiple pairs of fiber optic strands 3(a) and 3(b) (shown in cross section) are mounted between the base 6 and the layer 2. A thin piece of reflective material such as aluminized Mylar TM is shown beneath the fiber pairs.
The optic pairs 3 each comprise a light source strand 3(a) and a light receiver strand 3(b).
The paired strands 3(a) and 3(b) are positioned either in side by side contact or in close proximity with each other, in order to encompass both strands within a common optical cavity formed by the light source, as will be discussed below.
The optical fibers 3 terminate at various positions relative to the pad 10, and collectively form an array of light sources and receivers 3(a) and 3(b) which are generally dispersed around the pad as seen in Figures 3 and 4. It will be noted that for simplicity, the figures show a reduced number of fiber optic lines than would be required for full coverage. The fiber optic pairs each terminate at a first end 20 directly beneath the pad body 2. The first ends 20(a) and (b) form respectively light sources and receivers. The light sources each illuminate a region or cell within the pad body 2, which effectively forms an optical cavity 22. The receivers 20 (b) are positioned in close proximity to their corresponding sources (a), and within the optical cavity 22.
The array of fiber optic pair ends 20 is arranged such that the respective optical cavities 22 form a contiguous cellular array, which preferably are slightly overlapping to ensure fiall coverage, throughout the pad body.
The second opposed ends 26(a) and (b) of the fiber optic lines terminate within a central processing unit 28. As will be described below, multiple light sources within the CPU 28 are associated with the terminals 26(a) of the transmit lines 3(a) of the fiber optic pairs 3. The terminals 26(b) of the receiver lines 3 (b) are associated with a processing means 24 within the CPU which converts the light intensity level received by the respective receivers 20(b) into useable positional information concerning the location of a compressed region or regions of the pad 10.
Figure 2 shows the pad from an elevational perspective. The same surface membrane 1, compressible pad body 2, and adhesive layer 4 are shown. The fiber pair 3 is now seen from the side. It can be seen terminating above a strip of reflective material 5, which serves to locally increase the intensity of light with the layer 2, thus effectively increasing the size of the optical cavity formed around the termination 20(a).
Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show the first embodiment of a pad 10 in plan view, with the location of fiber pairs illustrated as required for the mufti-Alex operation of the invention. With this arrangement, multiple indentations of the pad may be detected, with the light emitters and receivers being reduced in number relative to the number of fiber optic pairs 3. Fiber 3(a) is a transmit fiber, connected to a light source 30 within the CPU 28. It can be seen that a total of three fibers are connected to this same light source. Fiber 3(b) is a receive fiber which is not shown in its entirety to simplify the drawing. Figure 3(b) shows the same pad 10 with Fiber 3(b) shown in its entirety, while emitter fibers 3(a) are not shown in their entirety. A bundle of three receive fibers is connected to a detector 40. This pad contains 9 fiber pairs, three emitters (30(a), (b) and (c)) and three detectors, (40(a), (b) and (c)) and is referred to as a three by three array. Larger and more complex arrays can be constructed using the same approach.
The embodiment illustrated within figures 3(a) and 3(b) form a touch-pad which is capable of detecting multiple regions of compression, formed by 'multiple depressors'.
This is accomplished by providing multiple receivers, which are capable of simultaneously detecting light intensity levels within multiple optical cavities, and processing the information concerning same.
The arrangement described herein permits localized detection capability, wherein each position on the plane defined by the membrane 1, may be detected and localized by the CPU, while at the same time providing within the CPU a number of detectors which is fewer than ' the total number of light receptors 20(b). Within the CPU there is provided a sequential switching means, to rapidly and in sequence provide pulses of light emanating from the light sources 30 (a) through (c), respectively, thereby rapidly and sequentially illuminating the optical cavities associated with the corresponding fiber optic transmitters 3(a). The sequential switching operation is controlled by a switching controller, which is also linked to the multiple detectors 40(a) through (c), respectively. It will thus be seen that detection of a signal within detector 40 (a), for example, would result from depression of a region of the pad corresponding with any one of three specific locations within the pad.
Localization of the depressed region, amongst the three alternatives, is determined by reference to the sequential illumination sequence. Thus, for example, the pad regions associated with three transmit fibers associated with light source 30(a), are identified by numbers I, II, and III.
The pad regions associated with detector 40(a), are identified by x, y and z, in Figure 3 (b).
It will be seen that when light source 3(a) is illuminated, compression of region x may be detected. However, when light source 30(a) is switched off, compression of regions x, y and z may not be detected, and compression may only detected within the regions surrounding emitters II and III.
The sequential switching operation is performed very rapidly, in order to permit the arrangement to detect relatively brief periods of depression.
Figure 4 illustrates a fizrther embodiment of the invention, which is not multiplexed. That is, only a single light source and detector are provided, with all of the fiber optic transmitter and receiver lines being linked to a common source and receiver.
Figure 4 shows a similar pad 50 comprising a three by three array with fiber pairs arranged appropriately for a non-multiplexed operation. Here an array of receive fibers 50(a) is connected to an array of photodetectors 52, with the fibers each being interfaced to a corresponding pixel in the array, such that the signals from individual fibers can be discriminated by the pixels in the array. The transmits fibers 50(b) are all interfaced to a common light source such as an LED 54. The photodetector array is linked to a central information processing unit 60, in much the same manner as in the first embodiment, to process the information received by the array and convert same into useable control information.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
- transmitting light through the energy sources into the pad body, thereby forming a generally continuous array of individual optical cavities within the pad body;
- contacting the membrane with one or more depressors, thereby compressing one or more corresponding optical cavities within the pad body;
- detecting the compressed region within the pad body, by measuring the corresponding increase in light intensity within the pad body by the detectors;
- transmitting the resulting information from the detectors to a controller;
- converting the information from the detectors, to control information in a form useable to the equipment being controlled thereby; and - transmitting the resulting control information to the equipment, thereby controlling the equipment.
In a further aspect, the invention comprises a combination of the apparatus described above, and an article of equipment or a computer controlled thereby.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is schematic side elevational view of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a second schematic elevational view, transverse to the first elevation;
Figure 3 (a) is a plan view illustrating a first optical fiber layout, showing the linkages associated with the light emitters;
Figure 3(b) is a view as in Figure 3(a), showing linkages associated with the light receptors;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the invention illustrating an alternative optical fiber layout.
_$_ Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to Figure 1, a touch pad 10 according to the preferred embodiment is herein described. A pad body 2 formed from a compressible layer is shown mounted on a rigid base 6. The pad body 2 is formed from a compressible light translucent material such as closed or open cell foam material. A surface membrane 1 forms the uppermost layer of the pad. The membrane is composed of a flexible, durable material such as a fabric or polymeric sheet. The degree of flexibility required of the membrane will depend on the resiliency of the underlying layer 2, and the desired tactile qualities of the device. This membrane 1 may be attached to the pad body with an adhesive, or the compressible material of the pad body may be manufactured in conjunction with the membrane and fused thereto. The region 7 within the pad body indicates a zone of local compression of the pad caused by an indentor such as a user's finger. The bottom surface of the pad body 2 is fastened to the base 6 by a layer of double-sided adhesive 4. Alternatively, the pad body may be manufactured in conjunction with the other elements of the pad. Multiple pairs of fiber optic strands 3(a) and 3(b) (shown in cross section) are mounted between the base 6 and the layer 2. A thin piece of reflective material such as aluminized Mylar TM is shown beneath the fiber pairs.
The optic pairs 3 each comprise a light source strand 3(a) and a light receiver strand 3(b).
The paired strands 3(a) and 3(b) are positioned either in side by side contact or in close proximity with each other, in order to encompass both strands within a common optical cavity formed by the light source, as will be discussed below.
The optical fibers 3 terminate at various positions relative to the pad 10, and collectively form an array of light sources and receivers 3(a) and 3(b) which are generally dispersed around the pad as seen in Figures 3 and 4. It will be noted that for simplicity, the figures show a reduced number of fiber optic lines than would be required for full coverage. The fiber optic pairs each terminate at a first end 20 directly beneath the pad body 2. The first ends 20(a) and (b) form respectively light sources and receivers. The light sources each illuminate a region or cell within the pad body 2, which effectively forms an optical cavity 22. The receivers 20 (b) are positioned in close proximity to their corresponding sources (a), and within the optical cavity 22.
The array of fiber optic pair ends 20 is arranged such that the respective optical cavities 22 form a contiguous cellular array, which preferably are slightly overlapping to ensure fiall coverage, throughout the pad body.
The second opposed ends 26(a) and (b) of the fiber optic lines terminate within a central processing unit 28. As will be described below, multiple light sources within the CPU 28 are associated with the terminals 26(a) of the transmit lines 3(a) of the fiber optic pairs 3. The terminals 26(b) of the receiver lines 3 (b) are associated with a processing means 24 within the CPU which converts the light intensity level received by the respective receivers 20(b) into useable positional information concerning the location of a compressed region or regions of the pad 10.
Figure 2 shows the pad from an elevational perspective. The same surface membrane 1, compressible pad body 2, and adhesive layer 4 are shown. The fiber pair 3 is now seen from the side. It can be seen terminating above a strip of reflective material 5, which serves to locally increase the intensity of light with the layer 2, thus effectively increasing the size of the optical cavity formed around the termination 20(a).
Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show the first embodiment of a pad 10 in plan view, with the location of fiber pairs illustrated as required for the mufti-Alex operation of the invention. With this arrangement, multiple indentations of the pad may be detected, with the light emitters and receivers being reduced in number relative to the number of fiber optic pairs 3. Fiber 3(a) is a transmit fiber, connected to a light source 30 within the CPU 28. It can be seen that a total of three fibers are connected to this same light source. Fiber 3(b) is a receive fiber which is not shown in its entirety to simplify the drawing. Figure 3(b) shows the same pad 10 with Fiber 3(b) shown in its entirety, while emitter fibers 3(a) are not shown in their entirety. A bundle of three receive fibers is connected to a detector 40. This pad contains 9 fiber pairs, three emitters (30(a), (b) and (c)) and three detectors, (40(a), (b) and (c)) and is referred to as a three by three array. Larger and more complex arrays can be constructed using the same approach.
The embodiment illustrated within figures 3(a) and 3(b) form a touch-pad which is capable of detecting multiple regions of compression, formed by 'multiple depressors'.
This is accomplished by providing multiple receivers, which are capable of simultaneously detecting light intensity levels within multiple optical cavities, and processing the information concerning same.
The arrangement described herein permits localized detection capability, wherein each position on the plane defined by the membrane 1, may be detected and localized by the CPU, while at the same time providing within the CPU a number of detectors which is fewer than ' the total number of light receptors 20(b). Within the CPU there is provided a sequential switching means, to rapidly and in sequence provide pulses of light emanating from the light sources 30 (a) through (c), respectively, thereby rapidly and sequentially illuminating the optical cavities associated with the corresponding fiber optic transmitters 3(a). The sequential switching operation is controlled by a switching controller, which is also linked to the multiple detectors 40(a) through (c), respectively. It will thus be seen that detection of a signal within detector 40 (a), for example, would result from depression of a region of the pad corresponding with any one of three specific locations within the pad.
Localization of the depressed region, amongst the three alternatives, is determined by reference to the sequential illumination sequence. Thus, for example, the pad regions associated with three transmit fibers associated with light source 30(a), are identified by numbers I, II, and III.
The pad regions associated with detector 40(a), are identified by x, y and z, in Figure 3 (b).
It will be seen that when light source 3(a) is illuminated, compression of region x may be detected. However, when light source 30(a) is switched off, compression of regions x, y and z may not be detected, and compression may only detected within the regions surrounding emitters II and III.
The sequential switching operation is performed very rapidly, in order to permit the arrangement to detect relatively brief periods of depression.
Figure 4 illustrates a fizrther embodiment of the invention, which is not multiplexed. That is, only a single light source and detector are provided, with all of the fiber optic transmitter and receiver lines being linked to a common source and receiver.
Figure 4 shows a similar pad 50 comprising a three by three array with fiber pairs arranged appropriately for a non-multiplexed operation. Here an array of receive fibers 50(a) is connected to an array of photodetectors 52, with the fibers each being interfaced to a corresponding pixel in the array, such that the signals from individual fibers can be discriminated by the pixels in the array. The transmits fibers 50(b) are all interfaced to a common light source such as an LED 54. The photodetector array is linked to a central information processing unit 60, in much the same manner as in the first embodiment, to process the information received by the array and convert same into useable control information.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
Claims (28)
1. A touch pad suitable for use in a controller comprising:
a deformable touch surface;
a compressible substrate in operative association with said membrane, said compressible substrate comprising an integrated cavity adapted to scatter or diffuse wave energy from a wave energy source;
a wave energy source;
a wave energy source detector capable of detecting a signal;
wherein both of said wave energy source and said wave energy source detector being in communication with said compressible substrate; and processing means adapted to receive a signal from said source detector, said detector being adapted to convert a signal received from said wave energy source into positional information relating to deformation of said touch surface.
a deformable touch surface;
a compressible substrate in operative association with said membrane, said compressible substrate comprising an integrated cavity adapted to scatter or diffuse wave energy from a wave energy source;
a wave energy source;
a wave energy source detector capable of detecting a signal;
wherein both of said wave energy source and said wave energy source detector being in communication with said compressible substrate; and processing means adapted to receive a signal from said source detector, said detector being adapted to convert a signal received from said wave energy source into positional information relating to deformation of said touch surface.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said deformable touch surface is deformable by an indentor.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said compressible substrate includes a deformable, light translucent material.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said compressible substrate is a deformable, light translucent foam material.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said wave energy source and detector each comprise fiber optic cables.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said wave energy source and said detector are operatively associated with a light source and detector.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said touch pad further includes multiple wave energy sources; and multiple wave energy source detectors.
8. A touch pad suitable for use in a controller comprising:
a deformable touch surface;
a compressible substrate in operative association with said membrane, said compressible substrate comprising an integrated cavity adapted to scatter or diffuse wave energy from a wave energy source;
at least one light source;
at least one light source receiver capable of detecting a signal, wherein both of said light source and said light source receiver being in communication with said compressible substrate; and processing means adapted to receive a signal from said source detector, said detector being adapted to convert a signal received from said wave energy source into positional information relating to deformation of said touch surface.
a deformable touch surface;
a compressible substrate in operative association with said membrane, said compressible substrate comprising an integrated cavity adapted to scatter or diffuse wave energy from a wave energy source;
at least one light source;
at least one light source receiver capable of detecting a signal, wherein both of said light source and said light source receiver being in communication with said compressible substrate; and processing means adapted to receive a signal from said source detector, said detector being adapted to convert a signal received from said wave energy source into positional information relating to deformation of said touch surface.
9. In combination, a controller and a touch pad in which the touch pad comprises:
a deformable touch surface;
a compressible substrate in operative association with said membrane, said compressible substrate comprising an integrated cavity adapted to scatter or diffuse wave energy from a wave energy source;
a light source;
a light source receiver capable of detecting a signal;
wherein of said light source and said light source receiver being in communication with said compressible substrate; and processing means adapted to receive a signal from said source detector, said detector being adapted to convert a signal received from said wave energy source into positional information relating to deformation of said touch surface.
a deformable touch surface;
a compressible substrate in operative association with said membrane, said compressible substrate comprising an integrated cavity adapted to scatter or diffuse wave energy from a wave energy source;
a light source;
a light source receiver capable of detecting a signal;
wherein of said light source and said light source receiver being in communication with said compressible substrate; and processing means adapted to receive a signal from said source detector, said detector being adapted to convert a signal received from said wave energy source into positional information relating to deformation of said touch surface.
10. A device according to claims 8 and 9, wherein said touch pad includes multiple light sources and light receivers both of which comprise fiber optic cables and are operatively associated with said light source and detector respectively.
11. A device according to claims 8 and 9, wherein said compressible substrate comprises a deformable, light translucent material.
12. A device according to claims 8 and 9, wherein said compressible substrate comprises a deformable, light translucent foam material.
13. A device according to claim 8 and 9 , wherein said multiple light sources and said light receivers respectively comprise fiber optic cables, associated with a light source and detector respectively.
14. A device according to claim 1 and 9 , wherein said touch pad includes multiple light sources, multiple light source receivers, wherein said light sources and said light source receivers are located proximate each along a plane located beneath said compressible substrate so as when pressure is applied by an indentor to said compressible substrate said pressure causes deformation said compressible substrate whish is able to be measured/sensed by at least one of said light source receivers.
15. In a device according to any one of claims 1, 8 and 9, , wherein said deformable touch surface includes selective properties such that any pressure exerted by an indentor is spread along a horizontal plane so as to cause deformation of said compressible substrate horizontally wherein said deformation of said compressible substrate is detectable by said receivers positioned along a horizontal plane to said indentor.
16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said deformable touch surface includes a material capable of determining a minimum force effecting a compression of said compressible substrate which is able to be detected by said detectors.
17. A device according to any one of claims 1, 8 or 9, wherein said deformable touch surface includes a material capable of determining a minimum duration of force which is able to be detected by said detectors.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said deformable touch surface includes means adapted to modify the properties effecting the horizontal communication of compressive forces in said compressible substrate capable of detection by at least one receiver.
19. A device according to claim 18, wherein said means includes an application of at least one surface coating to said deformable touch surface.
20. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said receiver is capable of detecting a minimum compressive force and a minimum duration compressive force.
21. A device according to claims 1, 8 or 9, wherein a reflective material is positioned beneath said wave energy source and said detector, whereby a maximum amount of the energy supplied to said compressible substrate by said wave energy source is directed into said compressive substrate to be reflected back to said wave source detector.
22. A device according claims 1, 8 or 9, wherein said touch pad is affixed to a firm base, wherein the vertical travel of an indentor and the maximum force of said vertical travel is constrained by said base.
23. A device according to claims 1, 8 or 9, wherein said touch pad is affixed to a flexible base, whereby deformation of said compressible substrate produces a measure of pressures exerted onto the touch pad.
24. A device according to any one claims 8 or 9, wherein said light sources and said light source receivers are operatively associated with electronic devices (light emitting) devices selected from the group including light emitting diodes and photodiodes.
25. A device according to claim 24, said light sources and said light source receivers are multi-plexed such that said light sources and light source receivers are interfaced with at least one electronic device.
26. A device according to claims 8 and 9, said light source receivers may be attached to a linear or area photodiode detector.
27. A device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said receivers are operatively associated with measurement devices.
28. A device according to claim 27, wherein said measurement devices are selected from the group consisting of analogue or digital circuitry, wherein said measuring devices are capable to receive a signal from at least one receiver which is able to be measured to effect control of a controller.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002273113A CA2273113A1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-05-26 | Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor |
| AU49043/00A AU4904300A (en) | 1999-05-26 | 2000-05-24 | Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor |
| PCT/CA2000/000599 WO2000073982A1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 2000-05-24 | Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor |
| US09/979,134 US6788295B1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 2000-05-24 | Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002273113A CA2273113A1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-05-26 | Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2273113A1 true CA2273113A1 (en) | 2000-11-26 |
Family
ID=4163574
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002273113A Abandoned CA2273113A1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-05-26 | Touch pad using a non-electrical deformable pressure sensor |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6788295B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU4904300A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2273113A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000073982A1 (en) |
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| FR3067806B1 (en) * | 2017-06-14 | 2020-05-22 | Brochier Technologies | DETECTION SYSTEM CAPABLE OF GENERATING AN ELECTRIC SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF A VARIATION OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND PRESSURE SENSOR INCLUDING SUCH A DETECTION SYSTEM |
Family Cites Families (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3621268A (en) * | 1967-12-19 | 1971-11-16 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Reflection type contactless touch switch having housing with light entrance and exit apertures opposite and facing |
| US4198623A (en) * | 1978-11-13 | 1980-04-15 | Sanders Associates, Inc. | Touch entry interactive cathode ray tube arrangement |
| US4484179A (en) * | 1980-04-16 | 1984-11-20 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Touch position sensitive surface |
| JPS5933069Y2 (en) * | 1982-07-03 | 1984-09-14 | アルプス電気株式会社 | input device |
| US4593191A (en) | 1982-12-29 | 1986-06-03 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Pressure and optical sensitive device with deformable protrusions |
| NL8301298A (en) | 1983-04-14 | 1984-11-01 | Philips Nv | POSITION RECORDER. |
| JPH0325220Y2 (en) * | 1985-02-15 | 1991-05-31 | ||
| JPH0762821B2 (en) * | 1986-05-30 | 1995-07-05 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Touch panel input device |
| US5136156A (en) * | 1988-11-01 | 1992-08-04 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Photoelectric switch |
| US5266949A (en) * | 1990-03-29 | 1993-11-30 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. | Lighted electronic keyboard |
| JPH07261922A (en) | 1994-03-18 | 1995-10-13 | Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> | Touch pad, input device and computer system |
| US5818037A (en) * | 1996-04-09 | 1998-10-06 | Tv Interactive Data Corporation | Controller using a flexible element to vary light transferred to a photosensitive element |
| US6002594A (en) * | 1996-12-20 | 1999-12-14 | Logitech, Inc. | Flexible touchpad circuit with mounted circuit board |
| US5917180A (en) * | 1997-07-16 | 1999-06-29 | Canadian Space Agency | Pressure sensor based on illumination of a deformable integrating cavity |
| US5887995A (en) * | 1997-09-23 | 1999-03-30 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Touchpad overlay with tactile response |
-
1999
- 1999-05-26 CA CA002273113A patent/CA2273113A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2000
- 2000-05-24 US US09/979,134 patent/US6788295B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-05-24 WO PCT/CA2000/000599 patent/WO2000073982A1/en active Application Filing
- 2000-05-24 AU AU49043/00A patent/AU4904300A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US6788295B1 (en) | 2004-09-07 |
| WO2000073982A1 (en) | 2000-12-07 |
| AU4904300A (en) | 2000-12-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20050526 |