Light guide having focusing element and internal reflector on same face

Abstract

An improved light collector for use in a touch panel device which has a plurality of substantially parallel light beams directed across a display surface thereof, which collector collects the light in the light beams and redirects it in a direction substantially perpendicular to the light beams for detection by a light detector positioned adjacent one end of the light collector. The collector comprises a multi-sided elongated strip of light transmissive material having a longitudinal axis, and being terminated by a light collection station. A plurality of longitudinally spaced light focusing elements are disposed along a first side of the strip. A like plurality of longitudinally spaced light redirecting elements, likewise disposed along the first side of the strip, are individually paired with an assigned one of the light focusing elements and each such redirecting element has a light intercepting surface having transverse dimensions small in comparison to the cross-sectional dimensions of the strip. The light intercepting surface of each redirecting element is tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip. A like plurality of longitudinally spaced light reflectors are disposed along that side of the strip which is opposite the first side and each reflector is located at a point on the strip which is intermediate an assigned one of the light focusing elements and that element's paired light redirecting element.