TWI552054B - Reflecting mirror and optical touch device using the same - Google Patents

Description

Mirror and optical touch device using the same

The present invention relates to an optical component and a touch device, and more particularly to a mirror and an optical touch device using the same.

The touch device has the advantages of easy operation, and has been widely used in various electronic products in recent years, such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, a music player, a tablet computer, a satellite navigation device, a touch screen, and the like. At present, common touch devices include resistive touch devices, capacitive touch devices, and optical touch devices. Among them, optical touch devices have become more and more durable due to their advantages of better durability and lower cost. Received attention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a conventional optical touch device. Referring to FIG. 1 , the conventional optical touch device 100 includes a light guiding group 110 , a light emitting element 120 , and a light sensing element 130 . The light guiding group 110 includes light guiding strips 112a and 112b and a mirror 114. The light guiding strips 112a, 112b and the mirror 114 are arranged along three sides of a rectangular track, wherein the light guiding strip 112a is opposite to the mirror 114, and the light guiding strip 112b is connected between the light guiding strip 112a and the mirror 114, and the above The area within the rectangular track is the sensing area 116 of the optical touch device 100. In addition, the light emitting element 120 is disposed between the adjacent ends of the light guiding strip 112a and the light guiding strip 112b, and is configured to provide light into the light guiding strip 112a and the light guiding strip 112b. The light guiding strips 112a, 112b are used to convert the light provided by the light source into a linear light source to illuminate the entire sensing area 116 by the linear light source. In addition, the light sensing element 130 is disposed beside the light guiding strip 112a.

In the above, the light sensing component 130 is configured to detect whether there is a sensing area 116. Shade and calculate the position of the shade. In more detail, the touch point (ie, the shade) A in the sensing area 116 generates the mirror point A1 via the mirror 114, and the light sensing element 130 detects the dark points A2 and A3, and calculates according to the information. The position of the touch point A. The method of calculating the position of the touch point is a general knowledge in the art, and will not be described in detail herein.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of Figure 1. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the conventional optical touch device 100, the reflective surface 117 of the mirror 114 for reflecting the light 122 is a flat mirror surface, and the bottom surface 118 of the mirror 114 should be parallel to the X-axis and The plane formed by the Y axis (referred to as the XY plane). However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the carrier substrate carrying the optical touch device 100 is bent and the bottom surface 118 of the mirror 114 is not parallel to the XY plane, the light 122' reflected by the reflective surface 117 will deviate from the light sensing. The area that component 130 can receive is not received by light sensing element 130. As such, the optical touch device 100 will not function properly.

In order to solve the above problem, the mirror 114 can be replaced with the mirror 140 shown in FIG. The mirror 140 includes a light incident surface 142 and a plurality of light reflecting columns 143 opposite to the light incident surface 142. Each of the reflective columns 143 protrudes away from the light incident surface 142, and each of the reflective columns 143 is a triangular prism. The reflecting column 143 can make the light 122 of the incident mirror 140 and the light 122' emitted from the mirror 140 parallel to the component of the plane formed by the Y-axis and the Z-axis (referred to as the YZ plane), thereby avoiding the optical caused by the bending of the carrier substrate. The situation where the touch device does not work properly.

The above-described mirror 140 is usually manufactured by injection molding or extrusion molding. If the injection molding manufacturing method is adopted, it is necessary to manufacture molds of different sizes of mirrors according to optical touch devices of different sizes, so that a high mold cost is required. Further, if the extrusion molding method is employed, the shape of the reflective column 143 after molding is often not satisfactory. For example, the top of the reflective column 143 The angle θ1 is likely to be an arc angle rather than a right angle, thereby affecting the reflection effect of the mirror 140.

The present invention provides a reflective strip that has the advantage of low cost.

The invention further provides an optical touch device which has the advantage of low cost.

In order to achieve the above advantages, the present invention provides a mirror comprising a retroreflective sheeting, a light transmissive substrate and a light transmissive colloid layer. The retroreflective sheeting has a first connecting surface and a plurality of light reflecting structures opposite to the first connecting surface, each of the reflecting structures protruding away from the first connecting surface. The retroreflective structures define a reflective region and a light transmissive region, each reflective structure having at least one reflective surface, and the reflective region including the reflective surface. The light transmissive substrate has opposite light transmissive surfaces and a second connecting surface. The transparent colloid layer is disposed between the reflective sheet and the transparent substrate, and connects the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflective sheet is a cymbal, and each of the reflective structures is a mast, the cymbals are parallel to each other, and the adjacent two cymbals are connected to each other.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the reflective structures is a triangular prism.

In an embodiment of the invention, the angle of the apex angle of each of the reflective structures is in the range of 86 degrees to 94 degrees.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first connecting surface is rectangular and has two long sides and two short sides, and a long axis direction of each of the light reflecting structures is parallel to the long sides of the first connecting surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light transmissive substrate further has a diffusion structure disposed on the light transmission surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the reflective structures has two reflective surfaces that are inclined toward each other, the reflective surfaces intersect each other, and a gap is formed between adjacent two masts, and the light penetrating region includes the gap.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the light reflecting structures has two reflecting surfaces that are inclined toward each other and a light transmitting portion, and the light transmitting portion is connected between the light reflecting surfaces, and the light penetrating region includes the light penetrating portion. unit. Furthermore, the adjacent two reflective structures are, for example, connected to each other. In another embodiment, there is a gap between the adjacent two reflective structures, and the light penetrating region further includes the gap.

In an embodiment of the invention, the top surface of each of the reflective structures is provided with a plurality of V-shaped grooves. The reflective surface described above includes a plurality of groove walls of the V-shaped grooves. There is a gap between the adjacent two reflective structures, and the light penetrating region includes the gap.

The invention also provides an optical touch device having a sensing area. The optical touch device includes at least one of the above-mentioned mirror, light source module and light sensing module. Each mirror is disposed beside one side of the sensing area. The light transmissive surface of the light transmissive substrate of each mirror faces the sensing area. The light source module is disposed beside the sensing area to provide light to the sensing area. The light sensing module is disposed beside the sensing area, and the sensing range of the light sensing module covers the mirror.

In the mirror of the present invention, a prism sheet which is widely used in the liquid crystal display device industry can be cut into various types of reflectors, and the light-transmitting substrate can be manufactured by extrusion or by advance. The prepared light-transmitting material is cut. In this way, it is not necessary to design different molds for different sizes of mirrors, so the mold cost can be saved, and the production cost of the mirror and the optical touch device using the mirror can be reduced.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more <RTIgt;

4 is a top plan view of an optical touch device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4 , the optical touch device 200 of the present embodiment has a sensing area 201 and includes a light sensing module 210 , a light source module 220 , and at least one mirror 230 . The light sensing module 210 and the light source module 220 are disposed adjacent to the sensing area 201 , and the sensing range of the light sensing module 210 covers the mirror 230 . The light source module 220 provides light into the sensing area 201, the mirror 230 can be used to generate a mirror image, and the light sensing module 220 is used to sense the position of the shade.

In this embodiment, the light sensing module 210 includes a light sensing component. The photo sensing element can be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensing element, a charge coupled device (CCD) or other suitable light sensing element. In addition, the light source module 220 includes, for example, one light emitting element 222 and two light guiding elements 224. The light guiding element 224 is disposed beside the two adjacent sides of the sensing region 201, and the light emitting element 222 is disposed between the light guiding elements 224 to provide light to the light guiding element 224. The light guiding element 224 is then adapted to direct light to the sensing region 201. Light-emitting element 224 can be a light emitting diode, a laser diode, or other suitable point source.

It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the number and position of the light sensing elements of the light sensing module 210, the number and position of the light emitting elements, the number and position of the light guiding elements, and the number and position of the mirrors. In other embodiments, the number and position of the mirrors, the light-emitting elements, the light-guiding elements, and the light-sensing elements can be adjusted according to different design requirements. In addition, the light source module 220 of the embodiment is an example of the light-emitting component 222 and the light-guiding component 224 that are mutually matched. However, in another embodiment, the light source module may include a light-emitting component and a reflective strip that do not cooperate with each other. Use a light guiding element. In addition, the sensing area 201 may be located on a surface of a carrier substrate (not shown), and the carrier substrate may be a glass substrate or other rigid substrate. Light sensing module 210. The light source module 220 and the mirror 230 are disposed on the carrier substrate. In another embodiment, the carrier substrate can be a display panel, that is, the optical touch device 200 can be integrated with the display panel into a touch display device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mirror of the optical touch device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the mirror 230 of the embodiment includes a reflective sheet 232 , a transparent substrate 233 , and a transparent colloid layer 234 . The retroreflective sheeting 232 has a first connecting surface 232a and a plurality of light reflecting structures 232b opposite to the first connecting surface 232a, and each of the light reflecting structures 232b protrudes away from the first connecting surface 232a. The light transmitting substrate 233 has opposite light transmitting surfaces 233a and second connecting surfaces 233b. The light penetration surface 233a faces the sensing area 201. The transparent colloid layer 234 is disposed between the retroreflective sheet 232 and the transparent substrate 233 and connects the first connecting surface 232a and the second connecting surface 233b.

In the present embodiment, each of the light reflecting structures 232b is, for example, a mast, and the masts are, for example, parallel to each other, and the adjacent two masts are connected to each other, for example. Each of the reflective structures 232b is, for example, a triangular prism, that is, the mast can be a triangular prism, but the invention does not limit the reflective structure to be a triangular prism. The angle of the apex angle θ2 of each of the light reflecting structures 232b ranges, for example, from 86 degrees to 94 degrees. The actual angle may depend on the design requirements. In one embodiment, the angle of the apex angle θ2 may be 90 degrees. In addition, each of the light reflecting structures 232b includes a first inner surface 235 and a second inner surface 236. The first inner surface 235 and the second inner surface 236 can serve as a mirror surface, and the apex angle θ2 is between the first surface 235 and the second surface 236. Angle. The first connecting surface 232a has a rectangular shape, for example, and has two long sides 237 and two short sides 238. The long axis direction D of each of the light reflecting structures 232b is, for example, parallel to the long side 237 of the first connecting surface 232a. It is worth mentioning that the retroreflective sheet 232 can be directly cut by the cymbal commonly used in the current liquid crystal display device industry, and thus has the advantage of lower cost. In addition, although FIG. 5 only shows two reflective structures 232b, the present invention is not limited thereto. The number of reflective structures 232b.

The light-transmitting substrate 233 is, for example, a rectangular body through which light can pass, and has a simple structure, can be manufactured by extrusion molding, or can be cut from a light-transmitting material prepared in advance, thereby having the advantage of low cost. The reflective sheet 232 is attached to the transparent substrate 233 by the transparent colloid layer 234, and the transparent substrate 233 can support the retroreflective sheet 232 to prevent the retroreflective sheet 232 from being deformed. Further, the light-transmitting colloid layer 234 is, for example, a transparent liquid glue or a transparent solid glue.

In this embodiment, the retroreflective sheeting 232 of the mirror 230 and the transparent substrate 233 are separated, and the reflective sheet 232 and the transparent substrate 233 are adhered by the transparent colloid layer 234. Since the retroreflective sheeting 232 can be cut by using a large number of cymbals used in the current liquid crystal display device industry, it does not require a mold development cost, so it has the advantage of low cost. In addition, the structure of the light-transmitting substrate 233 is simple, can be manufactured by extrusion molding, or can be cut by a light-transmitting material prepared in advance. Compared with the mirror 140 used in the prior art (as shown in FIG. 3), the mirror 230 of the present embodiment can save mold development cost during production, and therefore has the advantages of low production cost and easy manufacture. In addition, the retroreflective sheeting 232 of the present embodiment can be cut by using a cymbal sheet used in a liquid crystal display device, so that the shape of the reflective structure 232b after molding is prevented from being inconsistent, and the retroreflective effect is deteriorated.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mirror according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the mirror 230a of the present embodiment is similar to the mirror 230 described above. The difference is that the light-transmitting substrate 233c of the mirror 230a further has a diffusion structure 233d disposed on the light-transmitting surface 233a of the light-transmitting substrate 233c. To homogenize the light that is transmitted to the sensing area. The diffusion structure 233d of this embodiment is exemplified by a plurality of diffusion particles. The diffusion particles are formed, for example, in a doping manner on the light transmission surface 233a. The material of the diffusion particles is, for example, a resin such as dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate. (dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, DPHA) or cerium oxide (Silica) Wait, but not limited to this. This mirror 230a can be used in place of the mirror 230 described above.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an optical touch device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7 , in the optical touch device of the embodiment, the mirror 230 b is disposed between the light source module 220 and the side of the sensing region 201 , and the reflector 232 c of the mirror 230 b is adjacent to the light source module 220 . One of the light guiding elements 224. The retroreflective structure 232d of the retroreflective sheeting 232c defines a reflective region and a light transmissive region, each reflective structure 232d having at least one reflective surface 241, and the reflective region includes the reflective surface 241. In this embodiment, each of the light reflecting structures 232d includes two reflecting surfaces 241, and the two reflecting surfaces 241 are inclined toward each other, and each of the reflecting structures 232d further includes a light transmitting portion 242. The light transmitting portion 242 is connected. Between the two reflective surfaces 241, the light penetrating region includes the light penetrating portion 242. Further, in the light reflecting sheet 232c of the present embodiment, the adjacent two light reflecting structures 232d are connected to each other, for example.

In the optical touch device of the embodiment, the light guiding element 224 adjacent to the mirror 230b and the other light guiding elements (not shown) of the light source module 220 are, for example, wheel-out light. When the light guiding element 224 adjacent to the mirror 230b emits light, the light 243 can penetrate the light reflecting sheet 232c through the light transmitting region, and then sequentially enter the sensing region 201 through the transparent colloid layer 234 and the transparent substrate 233. The light sensing module (not shown) of the optical touch device can receive the light 243. When a light shield (not shown) is located in the sensing area 201, the light sensing module can sense the first optical information of the light shield. In addition, when the light guiding element 224 adjacent to the mirror 230b does not emit light, but the other light guiding elements provide light to the sensing area 201, the light 244 from the sensing area 201 is reflected by the two reflective surfaces 241 of the reflective structure 232d. Reflected in sequence, and then returned to the sensing area 201. In other words, the retroreflective sheet 232c can A mirror function is provided to generate a mirror image, so that when a light shield is located within the sensing region 201, the light sensing module can sense the second optical information of the shade. The position of the shade can be calculated by the first optical information and the second optical information.

The present invention is not limited to the specific structure of the above-mentioned mirror having a light penetrating and reflecting function, and other possible structures will be described below by way of examples, but it is not intended to limit the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror of another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the mirror 230c of the present embodiment is similar in structure and function to the mirror 230b of FIG. 7. The difference is that there is a gap G1 between the adjacent two reflective structures 232d of the mirror 230c, and the mirror 230c is The light penetrating region includes the gap G1 in addition to the light penetrating portion 242 including the light reflecting structure 232d.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror of another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, in the mirror 230d of the embodiment, each of the reflective structures 232b has two reflective surfaces 241 that are inclined toward each other. The two reflective surfaces 241 intersect each other, and the reflective area of the mirror 230d includes the reflective surfaces 241. In addition, there is a gap G2 between the adjacent two light reflecting structures 232b, and the light penetrating area of the mirror 230d includes the gap G2.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror of another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, in the mirror 230e of the embodiment, the top surface 245 of each of the reflective structures 232e is provided with a plurality of V-shaped grooves 246. The plurality of groove walls 247 of these V-shaped grooves 246 can serve as a reflective surface, and the reflective areas of the mirror 230e include these reflective surfaces. In addition, there is a gap G3 between the adjacent two reflective structures 230e, and the light penetrating region of the mirror 230e includes the gap G3.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention In the meantime, the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧Optical touch device

110‧‧‧Light guide group

112a, 112b‧‧‧Light guide strips

114, 140‧‧‧Mirrors

116‧‧‧Sensing area

117‧‧‧ Reflective surface

118‧‧‧ bottom

120‧‧‧Lighting elements

122, 122’‧‧‧ rays

130‧‧‧Light sensing components

140‧‧‧Mirror

142‧‧‧Light penetration surface

143‧‧‧Reflective structure

200‧‧‧Optical touch display device

201‧‧‧Sensing area

210‧‧‧Light sensing module

220‧‧‧Light source module

222‧‧‧Lighting elements

224‧‧‧Light guiding elements

230, 230a, 230b, 230c, 230d, 230e‧‧‧ mirrors

232, 232c‧‧‧Reflecting film

232a‧‧‧first connection surface

232b, 232d, 232e‧‧‧reflective structure

233, 233c‧‧‧Light base

233a‧‧‧Light penetration surface

233b‧‧‧second connection surface

233d‧‧‧Diffusion structure

234‧‧‧Transparent colloid layer

235‧‧‧ first inner surface

236‧‧‧Second inner surface

237‧‧‧Longside

238‧‧‧ Short side

241‧‧‧ Reflective surface

242‧‧‧Light penetration

243, 244‧‧‧ rays

245‧‧‧ top surface

246‧‧‧V-shaped groove

247‧‧‧ slot wall

A‧‧‧ touch point

A1‧‧‧ mirror point

A2, A3‧‧‧ dark spots

D‧‧‧Long-axis direction

G1, G2, G3‧‧‧ gap

Θ1, θ2‧‧‧ vertices

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a conventional optical touch device.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of Figure 1.

3 is a schematic view of a conventional mirror. FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an optical touch device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mirror of the optical touch device of FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mirror according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an optical touch device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror of another embodiment of the present invention.

230‧‧‧Mirror

232‧‧‧Reflecting film

232a‧‧‧first connection surface

232b‧‧‧Reflective structure

233‧‧‧Light base

233a‧‧‧Light penetration surface

233b‧‧‧second connection surface

234‧‧‧Transparent colloid layer

235‧‧‧ first inner surface

236‧‧‧Second inner surface

237‧‧‧Longside

238‧‧‧ Short side

D‧‧‧Long-axis direction

Θ2‧‧‧ top angle

Claims (22)

A mirror for an optical touch device, the optical touch device having a sensing area, the mirror comprising: a reflective sheet having a first connecting surface and opposite the first connecting surface a plurality of reflective structures, each of the reflective structures protruding away from the first connecting surface, the reflective structures defining a reflective region and a light transmissive region, each reflective structure having at least one reflective surface, and the reflective The reflective surface includes a short axis direction and a surface perpendicular to the short axis direction, the surface facing the sensing region and configured to receive light from the sensing region; a light transmissive substrate, And a light-transmissive layer disposed between the light-reflecting sheet and the light-transmitting substrate, and connecting the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the reflector is a cymbal, and each of the reflective structures is a mast, the cymbals are parallel to each other, and the adjacent cymbals are mutually Connected. The mirror of claim 2, wherein each of the reflective structures is a triangular prism. The mirror of claim 3, wherein the angle of the apex angle of each of the reflective structures ranges from 86 degrees to 94 degrees. The mirror of claim 2, wherein the first connection The surface is rectangular and has two long sides and two short sides, and a long axis direction of each of the reflective structures is parallel to the long sides of the first connecting surface. The mirror of claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting substrate further has a diffusion structure disposed on the light-transmitting surface. The mirror of claim 1, wherein each of the light reflecting structures has two reflecting surfaces that are inclined toward each other, the reflecting surfaces intersect each other, and a gap is formed between the adjacent two pillars, and the light The penetration zone includes the gap. The mirror of claim 1, wherein each of the light reflecting structures has two reflecting surfaces that are inclined toward each other and a light transmitting portion, and the light transmitting portion is connected between the reflecting surfaces, and the light transmitting portion is connected between the reflecting surfaces. The light penetrating region includes the light penetrating portion. The mirror of claim 8, wherein the adjacent two reflective structures are connected to each other. The mirror of claim 8, wherein a gap is formed between the adjacent two reflective structures, and the light penetrating region further includes the gap. The mirror of claim 1, wherein a top surface of each of the reflective structures is provided with a plurality of V-shaped grooves, the reflective surfaces including a plurality of groove walls of the V-shaped grooves, adjacent There is a gap between the two reflective structures, and the light penetrating region includes the gap. An optical touch device having a sensing area, the optical touch The control device includes: at least one mirror disposed at at least one side of the sensing area, each mirror comprising: a retroreflective sheet having a first connecting surface and a plurality of reflective surfaces opposite to the first connecting surface a structure, each of the reflective structures protruding away from the first connecting surface, the reflective structures defining a reflective region and a light transmissive region, each reflective structure having at least one reflective surface, and the reflective region includes the reflective region a reflective surface, wherein each of the reflective structures has a short axis direction and a surface perpendicular to the short axis direction, the surface facing the sensing area and for receiving light from the sensing area; a transparent substrate having opposite a light-transmitting surface and a second connecting surface, the light-transmitting surface facing the sensing area; and a light-transmitting colloid layer disposed between the light-reflecting sheet and the light-transmitting substrate, and connecting the first connecting surface And the second connecting surface; a light source module disposed adjacent to the sensing area to provide light to the sensing area, the mirror is disposed between the light source module and the side of the sensing area; And a light sensing module Disposed beside the sensing region, and the sensing range of the sensing module to cover the at least one mirror. The optical touch device of claim 12, wherein the reflective sheet is a cymbal, and each of the reflective structures is a mast, the cymbals are parallel to each other and adjacent ribs The mirror columns are connected to each other. The optical touch device of claim 13, wherein each of the reflective structures is a triangular prism. The optical touch device of claim 14, wherein the angle of the apex angle of each of the reflective structures ranges from 86 degrees to 94 degrees. The optical touch device of claim 13, wherein the first connecting surface is rectangular and has two long sides and two short sides, and a long axis direction of each of the reflective structures is parallel to the first connecting surface. The long sides of the. The optical touch device of claim 12, wherein the transparent substrate further has a diffusion structure disposed on the light transmission surface. The optical touch device of claim 12, wherein each of the reflective structures has two reflective surfaces that are inclined toward each other, the reflective surfaces intersect each other, and a gap is formed between adjacent two masts. And the light penetrating region includes the gap. The optical touch device of claim 12, wherein each of the light reflecting structures has two reflective surfaces that are inclined toward each other and a light transmitting portion that is connected between the reflective surfaces. And the light penetrating region includes the light penetrating portion. The optical touch device of claim 19, wherein the adjacent two reflective structures are connected to each other. The optical touch device of claim 19, wherein a gap is formed between adjacent two reflective structures, and the light penetrating region further comprises the same Gap. The optical touch device of claim 12, wherein a top surface of each of the reflective structures is provided with a plurality of V-shaped grooves, and the reflective surfaces include a plurality of groove walls of the V-shaped grooves. There is a gap between the adjacent two reflective structures, and the light penetrating region includes the gap.