The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 25, 2018
Filed:
Nov. 08, 2017
Stmicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, Marlow, GB;
Mathieu Reigneau, Amilly, FR;
STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED, Marlow-Buckinghamshire, GB;
Abstract
An input device may include an image sensor having an imaging surface comprising that includes an array of pixels, and an optical waveguide layer carried by the imaging surface and having an exposed user surface and a first refractive index associated therewith. The input device may also include a substrate between the optical waveguide layer and the image sensor and having a second refractive index associated therewith that is lower than first refractive index. A collimation layer may be between the image sensor and the substrate. A light source may be configured to transmit light into the optical waveguide so that the light therein undergoes a total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may be being adjacent the imaging surface so that an object brought into contact with the exposed user surface disturbs the total internal reflection results resulting in an image pattern on the imaging surface.