Dual mode touch systems

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting a pointer includes a waveguide and a touch surface over the waveguide on which pointer contacts are to be made. At least one reflecting device extends along a first side of the waveguide and touch surface. The reflecting device defines an optical path between the interior of the waveguide and the region of interest above the touch surface. At least one imaging device looks across the touch surface and into the waveguide. The imaging device captures images of the region of interest and within the waveguide including reflections from the reflecting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A touch detection sensing apparatus for detecting a touch object on a surface, comprising:
 reflecting structure extending at least partially along opposite sides of said surface; and   at least two image capturing devices having at least partially overlapping fields of view and configured to capture images of the touch object and reflections thereof in the reflecting structure from different vantages.   
     
     
         2 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising image processing structure configured to receive image data captured by the at least two image capturing devices and to calculate the position of the touch object on the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is of a rectangular shape, said reflecting structure extending along opposite long sides of said surface. 
     
     
         4 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said reflecting structure extends substantially the entire length of said surface. 
     
     
         5 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 3  wherein each image capturing device is positioned adjacent a different short side of said surface. 
     
     
         6 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 4  wherein each image capturing device is positioned adjacent a different short side of said surface. 
     
     
         7 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising image processing structure configured to receive image data captured by the at least two image capturing devices and to calculate the position of the touch object on the surface. 
     
     
         8 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising image processing structure configured to receive image data captured by the at least two image capturing devices and to calculate the position of the touch object on the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising image processing structure configured to receive image data captured by the at least two image capturing devices and to calculate the position of the touch object on the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said image capturing devices are cameras. 
     
     
         11 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said image capturing devices are cameras. 
     
     
         12 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said image capturing devices are cameras. 
     
     
         13 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said image capturing devices are cameras. 
     
     
         14 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one light source adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface. 
     
     
         15 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said at least one light source is an infrared light source. 
     
     
         16 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising at least one light source adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface. 
     
     
         17 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said at least one light source is an infrared light source. 
     
     
         18 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising at least one light source adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface. 
     
     
         19 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said at least one light source is an infrared light source. 
     
     
         20 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising at least one light source adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface. 
     
     
         21 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said at least one light source is an infrared light source. 
     
     
         22 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of light sources adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface from different directions. 
     
     
         23 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said light sources are infrared light sources. 
     
     
         24 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a plurality of light sources adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface from different directions. 
     
     
         25 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said light sources are infrared light sources. 
     
     
         26 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of light sources adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface from different directions. 
     
     
         27 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said light sources are infrared light sources. 
     
     
         28 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of light sources adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface from different directions. 
     
     
         29 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 28  wherein said light sources are infrared light sources. 
     
     
         30 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said reflection structure comprises mirrors. 
     
     
         31 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising image processing structure configured to receive image data captured by the at least two image capturing devices and to calculate the position of the touch object on the surface. 
     
     
         32 . The touch detection sensing apparatus of  claim 31  further comprising at least one light source adjacent said surface configured to emit light across said surface.