IP Library Granted Patent US 7,852,417
Granted Patent B2
US 7,852,417 · App. 11/977,866 · Granted Dec 14, 2010

Light sensitive display

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,852,417
App. No.
11/977,866
Granted
Dec 14, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light sensitive display.

Claims (23)

1. A display device including a viewing surface comprising:

a stack of layers configured to display an image;

a light guide adjacent to the viewing surface;

a light source for establishing internally reflected light within the light guide;

a plurality of light sensitive elements formed within the stacked structure, the plurality of light sensitive elements configured to detect a diffusion of the light from the light guide due to contact of an object on the light guide; and

a layer included in the stacked structure, the layer including a non-continuous opening configured to direct the diffusion of the light towards the plurality of light sensitive elements to a greater extent than collimated light.

2. The display device as recited in claim 1 wherein the non-continuous opening comprises a central material disposed adjacent to a given light sensitive element.

3. The display device as recited in claim 1 wherein the light source is configured to provide the light comprising a range of wavelengths less than white light.

4. The display device as recited, in claim 3 wherein the display device further comprises a layer configured to pass the range of wavelengths to the plurality of light sensitive elements and block wavelengths other than the range of wavelengths.

5. The display device as recited in claim 3 wherein the range of wavelengths corresponds to a single color.

6. The display device as recited in claim 3 wherein the range of wavelengths comprises to 600-700 nm.

7. The display device as recited in claim 3 wherein the range of wavelengths comprises to 400-500 nm.

8. The display device as recited in claim 3 wherein the range of wavelengths comprises to 530-580 nm.

9. The display device as recited in claim 1 wherein the object is one of a stylus and a finger.

10. The display device as recited in claim 1 wherein the object has an index of refraction within a range of 0.5 to 0.25 of an index of refraction of the light guide.

11. The display device as recited in claim 1 wherein a surface characteristic of the object is at least one of white, shiny, and reflective.

12. The display device as recited in claim 1 wherein the light source is configured to switch between the light source providing a first light and the light source providing a second light different than the first light.

13. The display device as recited in claim 3 wherein the light source is configured to switch between providing the light comprising the range of wavelengths less than white light and providing a light corresponding to white light.

14. The display device as recited in claim 1 wherein the light source is configured to switch between the light source providing a first light comprising a first range of wavelengths and providing a second light comprising a second range of wavelengths.

15. The display device as recited in claim 13 wherein the light source is configured to switch in response to a state of a switch on the device.

16. The display device as recited in claim 13 wherein the light source is configured to switch automatically.

17. The display device as recited in claim 14 wherein the light source is configured to switch in response to a state of a switch on the device.

18. The display device as recited in claim 14 wherein the light source is configured to switch automatically.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2013
From: ABILEAH, ADIEL; DEN BOER, WILLEM; GREEN, PATRICK J.
To: PLANAR SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031387/0350 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2013
From: PLANAR SYSTEMS, INC.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 031391/0420 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2009
From: ABILEAH, ADIEL; DEN BOER, WILLEM
To: PLANAR SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022117/0376 →