TWI490752B - Sensing system - Google Patents

Description

Sensing system

The present invention relates to a sensing system, and more particularly to a sensing system having a reflective element.

A touch system has been disclosed in a number of related patents, such as U.S. Patent Nos. 4,782,328 and 6,803,906. The touch systems disclosed in the above two patents each require at least two sensors, so that the touch system disclosed in each of the above patents has a high cost of production. The following will be explained in one of the above two patents.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional touch screen system. The touch screen system 100 disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,782,328 includes a panel 110, a first photosensor 120, and a second photosensor 130. A processor 140. The panel 110 has a touch screen area 112 having a rectangular shape. The first photo sensor 120 and the second photo sensor 130 are disposed at opposite ends of one of the boundaries 112a of the touch screen area 112, and the sensing range of the first photo sensor 120 is The sensing range of the second photo sensor 130 covers the touch screen area 112, respectively. In addition, the first photo sensor 120 and the second photo sensor 130 are electrically connected to the processor 140 .

When a pointer 150 touches the touch screen area 112, the first light sensor 120 and the second light sensor 130 respectively follow a first sensing path 162 and a first The second sensing route 164 senses the indicator 150. The processor 140 calculates the location of the indicator 150 based on the first sensing route 162 and the second sensing route 164.

However, the conventional touch screen system 100 must have two photo sensors 120 and 130. Therefore, the conventional touch screen system 100 has a high production cost.

The present invention provides a sensing system that is less expensive to produce.

The present invention provides a sensing system adapted to sense an indicator and calculate the position of the indicator. The sensing system includes a panel, a reflective component, an image sensor, a processor, a first light guide rod, a second light guide rod and a light source module (light Source module). The panel has a first plane, a first area in the first plane, and a third area in the first plane. The third area is located in the first area. The first region has a quadrangular shape and has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side connected in sequence, and the square measure of the third area is less than or equal to the first area. area.

The reflective element is disposed on the first side and on the first plane. One of the second elements of the reflective element is substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and the second plane is a reflective mirror plane. The second plane mirrors the first region to form a second region, and the second plane reflects the third region to form a fourth region. The image sensor is disposed at a first corner intersecting the third side and the fourth side and is located on the first plane. The sensing range of the image sensor covers the third area and the fourth area. The processor is electrically connected to the image sensor.

The first light guiding rod is disposed on the second side and is located on the first plane. The first light guiding rod has a first light emitting surface and forms a second mirror image with respect to the reflective element. The second light guiding rod is disposed on the third side and is located on the first plane. The second light guiding rod has a second light exiting surface and forms a third mirror image with respect to the reflective element. At least a portion of the first light guide bar, at least a portion of the second image, and at least a portion of the third image are located within a sensing range of the image sensor. The light source module is adapted to emit light that enters the first light guiding rod and the second light guiding rod, is emitted by the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface, and is transmitted to the image sensor.

When the indicator is adjacent to the third area, and the indicator forms a first image with respect to the reflective element such that the indicator and the first image are located within the sensing range of the image sensor, the image sensor senses the indicator A mirror image, and the processor calculates the location of the pointer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light source module has a first light source disposed at a first corner, and the first light guide bar is coupled to the second light guide bar. In addition, the light source module further has a second light source disposed at a second corner intersecting the first side and the second side.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light source module has a first light source disposed at a third corner intersecting the second side and the third side. In addition, the light source module further has a second light source disposed in the first corner. In addition, the light source module further has a third light source disposed at a second corner intersecting the first side and the second side.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first light emitting surface is a rough surface, and the second light emitting surface is a rough surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing system further includes a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffusion sheet is disposed on the first light-emitting surface, and the second diffusion sheet is disposed on the second light-emitting surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first light guiding rod comprises a first reflective layer disposed on the first bottom surface of one of the first light guiding rods relative to the first light emitting surface. The second light guiding rod includes a second reflecting layer disposed on the second bottom surface of one of the second light guiding rods with respect to the second light emitting surface.

The present invention provides another sensing system, which is adapted to sense an indicator and calculate the position of the indicator. The sensing system includes a panel, a reflective component, an image sensor, a processor, a first diffusion sheet, a second diffusion sheet and a light source module. The panel has a first plane, a first area in the first plane, and a third area in the first plane. The third area is located in the first area. The first area has a quadrangular shape and has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side connected in sequence. The area of the third area is less than or equal to the area of the first area.

The reflective element is disposed on the first side and on the first plane. One of the second elements of the reflective element is substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and the second plane is a specularly reflective surface. The second plane reflects the first area to form a second area, and the second plane reflects the third area to form a fourth area. The image sensor is disposed at a first corner intersecting the third side and the fourth side and is located on the first plane. The sensing range of the image sensor covers the third area and the fourth area. The processor is electrically connected to the image sensor.

The first diffusion sheet is disposed on the second side and is located on the first plane. The first diffusion sheet has a first light exit surface and forms a second mirror image with respect to the reflective element. The second diffusion sheet is disposed on the third side and is located on the first plane. The second diffusion sheet has a second illuminating surface and forms a third mirror image with respect to the reflective element. At least a portion of the first diffuser, at least a portion of the second image, and at least a portion of the third image are located within a sensing range of the image sensor. The light source module is adapted to emit light that enters the first diffusion sheet and the second diffusion sheet and is emitted by the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface and transmitted to the image sensor.

When the indicator is adjacent to the third area, and the indicator forms a first image with respect to the reflective element such that the indicator and the first image are located within the sensing range of the image sensor, the image sensor senses the indicator A mirror image, and the processor calculates the location of the pointer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light source module has a plurality of light sources. Some of the light sources are disposed on one of the first diffusion sheets relative to the first bottom surface of the first light-emitting surface. The other part of the light source is disposed on one of the second diffusion plates opposite to the second bottom surface of the second light-emitting surface.

The processor of the sensing system of an embodiment of the present invention is capable of calculating the location of the pointer by the configuration of the reflective element and the image sensor. Therefore, the sensing system of the embodiment of the present invention can employ an image sensor as compared with the prior art, so that the sensing system of the embodiment of the present invention is low in production cost.

The above described features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent and understood.

[First Embodiment]

2 is a schematic top view of a sensing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between the second light source, the first light guiding rod and the first diffusion sheet of FIG. 2, and FIG. A schematic top view of the sensing system of Figure 2 during operation. Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the sensing system 200 is adapted to sense an indicator 270 and calculate the position of the indicator 270 (see below). The sensing system 200 includes a panel 210, a reflective component 220, a first light guide bar 230, a second light guide bar 240, an image sensor 250, a processor 260, and a light source module 290. The panel 210 is, for example, a whiteboard or a touch screen having a first plane 214, a first area 212 on the first plane 214, and a third area 216 on the first plane 214. . The third region 216 is located within the first region 212. The first region 212 has a quadrangular shape, which is, for example, a rectangle, and the first region 212 has a first side 212a, a second side 212b, a third side 212c and a fourth side 212d. The shape of the third region 216 may be a quadrilateral, which is, for example, a rectangle.

In the present embodiment, the area of the third region 216 is, for example, smaller than the area of the first region 212. It should be noted that the appearance and arrangement of the third region 216 can be referred to the contents of the Japanese Patent Application No. 097142355 and its corresponding U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/334,449, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein. In another embodiment, the area of the third region 216 may be equal to the area of the first region 212, and the third region 216 coincides with the first region 212, although the above is not illustrated.

The reflective element 220 is disposed on the first side 212a and on the first plane 214. One of the second planes 222 of the reflective element 220 is substantially perpendicular to the first plane 214 and the second plane 222 is a specularly reflective surface. The second plane 222 reflects the first region 212 to form a second region 212', and the second plane 222 reflects the third region 216 to form a fourth region 216'. The reflective element 220 is, for example, a plane mirror, but is not limited thereto.

The first light guiding rod 230 is disposed on the second side 212b and on the first plane 214. The first light guiding rod 230 has a first light emitting surface 232, and the first light guiding rod 230 forms a second mirror image 230' with respect to the reflective element 220. The second light guiding rod 240 is disposed on the third side 212c and located on the first plane 214. The second light guiding rod 240 has a second light exiting surface 242, and the second light guiding rod 240 forms a third mirror image 240' with respect to the reflective element 220. In the present embodiment, the first light guiding rod 230 is directly connected to the second light guiding rod 240. The sensing system 200 further includes a first diffusion sheet F21 and a second diffusion sheet F22. The first diffusion sheet F21 is disposed on the first light-emitting surface 232, and the second diffusion sheet F22 is disposed on the second light-emitting surface 242. In another embodiment, the first diffusion sheet F21 and the second diffusion sheet F22 may be omitted, and the first light-emitting surface 232 and the second light-emitting surface 242 may respectively be a rough surface, but the above is not shown in the drawing. .

In the embodiment, the first light guiding rod 230 includes a first reflective layer 234 disposed on the first bottom surface 236 of the first light guiding rod 230 relative to the first light emitting surface 232 . The second light guiding rod 240 includes a second reflecting layer 244 disposed on the second bottom surface 246 of one of the second light guiding rods 240 opposite to the second light emitting surface 242. In another embodiment, the first reflective layer 234 and the second reflective layer 244 may omit the configuration.

Additionally, the fourth side 212d of the first region 212 forms a fourth mirror image 212d' relative to the reflective element 220. The reflective element 220, the first light guide bar 230, the second light guide bar 240 and the fourth side 212d surround the first region 212. Reflective element 220, second image 230', third image 240' and fourth image 212d' surround second region 212'.

The image sensor 250 is disposed on the first corner C21 of the third side 212c and the fourth side 212d and is located on the first plane 214. The sensing range of the image sensor 250 covers the three areas 216 and the fourth area 216. '. At least a portion of the first light guide bar 230, at least a portion of the second image 230', and at least a portion of the third image 240' are located within the sensing range of the image sensor 250. In this embodiment, a portion of the first light guide bar 230, the second image 230', and a portion of the third image 240' are located within the sensing range of the image sensor 250. In addition, the processor 260 is electrically connected to the image sensor 250.

The light source module 290 is adapted to emit light that enters the first light guide bar 230 and the second light guide bar 240 and is emitted by the first light exit surface 232 and the second light exit surface 242 and transmitted to the image sensor 250. In detail, the light source module 290 has a first light source 292 and a second light source 294. The first light source 292 is disposed at the first corner C21, and the second light source 294 is disposed at a second corner C22 where the first side 212a and the second side 212b intersect. The first light source 292 and the second light source 294 are, for example, a light-emitting-diode element (LED element). The first light guiding rod 230 has a first side surface 238 adjacent to the first light emitting surface 232, and the second light guiding rod 240 has a second side surface 248 adjacent to the second light emitting surface 242. The first light source 292 is located on the second side 248 and is adapted to emit light toward the second side 248, the second source 294 being located on the first side 238 and adapted to emit light toward the first side 238. In another embodiment, the second light source 294 can omit the configuration.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the processor of FIG. 4 calculating the position of the pointer. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the indicator 270 is adjacent to the third area 216, and the indicator 270 forms a first image 270' with respect to the reflective element 220, the indicator 270 and the first image 270' are located in the image sensor. When within the sensing range of 250, image sensor 250 senses indicator 270 and first image 270', and processor 260 calculates the location of the pointer. In other words, the image sensor 250 of the present embodiment senses the indicator 270 along a first sensing route 282 and senses the first image 270 ′ along a second sensing route 284, and the processor 260 according to the first A sense route 282 and a second sense route 284 calculate the location of the indicator 270.

In the embodiment, the image sensor 250 has an image sensing window 252. When the indicator 270 is not adjacent to the third area 216, the portion from the first light-emitting surface 232 of the first light guiding rod 230, the second mirror image 230' corresponding to the first light-emitting surface 232, and the third mirror image 240' The light emitted from the portion corresponding to the second light-emitting surface 242 forms a bright zone with a higher brightness on the image sensing window 252, which is the primary sensing zone. ). When the indicator 270 is adjacent to the third area 216, a bright area on the image sensing window 252 may have a first obscure strip corresponding to the indicator 270 and a second corresponding to the first image 270'. Dark lines. Therefore, the processor 260 calculates the position of the pointer 270 on the third region 216 according to the position of the first dark line and the second dark line on the image sensing window 252. The above-mentioned related technical contents can be referred to the contents of the Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 097126033, 097142355 and 098100969, and the corresponding US Patent Application Nos. 12/249222, 12/334449 and 12/422191. Therefore, it will not be repeated here.

By the configuration of the reflective component 220 and the image sensor 250, the processor 260 of the sensing system 200 of the present embodiment can calculate the location of the pointer 270. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the sensing system 200 of the present embodiment can employ an image sensor 250, so that the sensing system 200 of the embodiment has a lower production cost.

[Second embodiment]

6 is a top plan view showing a sensing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 , the sensing system 300 of the present embodiment is different from the sensing system 200 of the first embodiment in that the light source module 390 of the sensing system 300 of the present embodiment has a first light source 392 . The second light source 394 and the third light source 396, and the first light guide bar 330 and the second light guide bar 340 are not in contact.

The reflective element 320 is disposed on the first side 312a of the first region 312. The first light source 392 is disposed at a third corner C33 where the second side 312b of the first region 312 intersects the third side 312c. The second light source 394 is disposed at a first corner C31 where the third side 312c of the first region 312 intersects the fourth side 312d. The third light source 396 is disposed at a second corner C32 where the first side 312a and the second side 312b of the first region 312 intersect. In another embodiment, the third source 396 can omit the configuration. In yet another embodiment, the second source 394 and the third source 396 can omit the configuration.

[Third embodiment]

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a sensing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 , the sensing system 400 of the present embodiment is different from the sensing system 200 of the first embodiment in that the sensing system 400 of the embodiment omits the first light guiding rod 230 and the second The light guide bar 240 has a plurality of light sources 492.

The reflective element 420 is disposed on the first side 412a of the first region 412. The first diffusion sheet F41 is disposed on the second side 412b of the first region 412 and located on the first plane 414, and the second diffusion sheet F42 is disposed on the third side 412c and located on the first plane 414. The first diffusion sheet F41 has a first light-emitting surface E41 and a first bottom surface B41, and the first light-emitting surface E41 is opposite to the first bottom surface B41. The second diffusion sheet F42 has a second light-emitting surface E42 and a second bottom surface B42, and the second light-emitting surface E42 is opposite to the second bottom surface B42. Some of the light sources 492 are disposed on the first bottom surface B41, and a portion of the other light sources 492 are disposed on the second bottom surface B42. In other words, the light source module 490 is adapted to be emitted into the first diffusion sheet F41 and the second diffusion sheet F42 via the first bottom surface B41 and the second bottom surface B42, and is emitted from the first light-emitting surface E41 and the second light-emitting surface E42. Light transmitted to image sensor 450.

In summary, the sensing system of an embodiment of the present invention has at least one of the following or other advantages. The processor of the sensing system of an embodiment of the present invention is capable of calculating the location of the pointer by the configuration of the reflective element and the image sensor. Therefore, the sensing system of the embodiment of the present invention can employ an image sensor as compared with the prior art, so that the sensing system of the embodiment of the present invention is low in production cost.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

100. . . Touch screen system

110, 210. . . panel

112. . . Touch screen area

112a, 212a, 212b, 212c, 212d, 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d, 412a, 412b, 412c. . . side

120, 130. . . Light sensor

140, 260. . . processor

150, 270. . . Indicator

162, 164, 282, 284. . . Sensing route

200, 300, 400. . . Sensing system

212, 212', 216, 216', 312, 412. . . region

214, 222. . . flat

220, 320, 420. . . Reflective element

230, 240, 330, 340. . . Light guide

212d', 230', 240', 270'. . . Mirror

232, 242, E41, E42. . . Glossy surface

234, 244. . . Reflective layer

236, 246, B41, B42. . . Bottom

238, 248. . . side

250. . . Image sensor

252. . . Image sensing window

290, 390. . . Light source module

292, 294, 392, 394, 396, 492. . . light source

C21, C22, C31, C32, C33. . . corner

F21, F22, F41, F42. . . Diffusion sheet

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional touch screen system.

2 is a top plan view of a sensing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between the second light source, the first light guide bar and the first diffusion sheet of FIG. 2 .

4 is a top plan view showing the operation of the sensing system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the processor of FIG. 4 calculating the position of the pointer.

6 is a top plan view showing a sensing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a sensing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

200. . . Sensing system

210. . . panel

212, 212', 216, 216'. . . region

212a, 212b, 212c, 212d. . . side

212d', 230', 240'. . . Mirror

214, 222. . . flat

220. . . Reflective element

230, 240. . . Light guide

232, 242. . . Glossy surface

234, 244. . . Reflective layer

236, 246. . . Bottom

250. . . Image sensor

252. . . Image sensing window

260. . . processor

290. . . Light source module

292, 294. . . light source

C21, C22. . . corner

F21, F22. . . Diffusion sheet

Claims (11)

A sensing system adapted to sense an indicator and calculate a position of the indicator, comprising: a panel having a first plane and a first area located in the first plane, the first area being quadrilateral in shape And having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side connected in sequence; a reflective element disposed on the first side and located on the first plane, wherein one of the reflective elements The second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and the second plane is a specular reflection surface; an image sensor is disposed at a first corner of the third side and the fourth side and is located at the first a first light guide bar is disposed on the second side and located on the first plane, wherein the first light guide bar has a first light exit surface And forming a second image with respect to the reflective element, the first light-emitting surface has a diffusion structure; a second light-guiding rod is disposed on the third side and located on the first plane, wherein the second light-guiding rod has a second light exiting surface and forming a third with respect to the reflective element For example, the second light exiting surface has a diffusing structure, and at least a portion of the first light guiding rod, at least a portion of the second mirror image, and at least a portion of the third mirror image are located within a sensing range of the image sensor; and a light source module a group adapted to emit light that enters the first light guiding rod and the second light guiding rod, is emitted by the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface, and is transmitted to the image sensor; when the indicator is adjacent to The image sensor senses the first plane and the indicator forms a first image with respect to the reflective element such that the indicator and the first image are within the sensing range of the image sensor. The indicator is associated with the first image and the processor calculates the location of the indicator. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the light source module has a first light source disposed in the first corner. The sensing system of claim 2, wherein the light source module further has a second light source disposed at a second corner where the first side and the second side intersect. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the light source module has a first light source disposed at a third corner intersecting the second side and the third side. The sensing system of claim 4, wherein the light source module further has a second light source disposed in the first corner. The sensing system of claim 5, wherein the light source module further has a third light source disposed at a second corner where the first side and the second side intersect. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the first light emitting surface is a rough surface, and the second light emitting surface is a rough surface. The sensing system of claim 1, further comprising a first diffusion sheet and a second diffusion sheet, wherein the first diffusion sheet is disposed on the first light-emitting surface, and the second diffusion sheet is disposed On the second illuminating surface. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the first light guiding rod comprises a first reflecting layer disposed on a first bottom surface of the first light guiding rod opposite to the first light emitting surface, The second light guiding rod includes a second reflective layer disposed on a second bottom surface of the second light guiding rod opposite to the second light emitting surface. A sensing system adapted to sense an indicator and calculate a position of the indicator, comprising: a panel having a first plane and a first area located in the first plane, the first area being quadrilateral in shape And having one of the first sides of the sequential connection, a second side, a third side and a fourth side; a reflective element disposed on the first side and located on the first plane, wherein a second plane of the reflective element is substantially perpendicular to the first plane The second plane is a specular reflection surface; an image sensor is disposed at a first corner of the third side and the fourth side and located on the first plane; a processor electrically connected to the An image sensor; a first diffusion sheet disposed on the second side and located on the first plane, wherein the first diffusion sheet has a first light-emitting surface and forms a second image with respect to the reflective element, The first light-emitting surface has a diffusion structure; a second diffusion sheet is disposed on the third side and located on the first plane, wherein the second diffusion sheet has a second light-emitting surface and forms a third surface with respect to the reflective element Mirroring, the second light-emitting surface has a diffusion structure, and at least a portion of the first diffusion sheet, at least a portion of the second image, and at least a portion of the third image are located within a sensing range of the image sensor; and a light source module Suitable for launching into the first expansion a light emitted from the first light-emitting surface and the second light-emitting surface and transmitted to the image sensor in the second diffusion sheet; when the indicator is adjacent to the first plane, and the indicator is opposite to the The reflective element forms a first image, such that the indicator and the first image are located within the sensing range of the image sensor, the image sensor senses the indicator and the first image, and the processor Calculate the location of the indicator. The sensing system of claim 10, wherein the light source module has a plurality of light sources, and some of the light sources are disposed on a first bottom surface of the first diffusing surface with respect to the first light emitting surface, and The other part of the light source is disposed on a second bottom surface of the second diffusing surface relative to the second light emitting surface.