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.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 2015

Filed:

May. 08, 2009
Applicant:

James Gourlay, West Lothian, GB;

Inventor:

James Gourlay, West Lothian, GB;

Assignee:

DESIGN LED PRODUCTS LIMITED, Livingston, GB;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F 3/044 (2006.01); H03K 17/96 (2006.01); F21V 8/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H03K 17/962 (2013.01); G02B 6/0043 (2013.01); G02B 6/006 (2013.01); H03K 2217/96079 (2013.01);
Abstract

A capacitive sensing apparatus is described that incorporates a light guide having a light scattering means for illumination of the apparatus. The apparatus has a capacitive sensor mounted on a substrate that provides a capacitive sensing area for generating an electric field that emanates from the apparatus. A light source is arranged in optical communication with the light scattering means via the light guide. This arrangement acts to mitigate the effects of interference between the capacitive sensor and the light source. When an opaque substrate is employed an air gap is located between the substrate and the light guide so as to provide a substantially uniform illumination across the light guide. Appropriate selection of the refractive indices of the light guide, n, and a transparent substrate, n, provides the same desired uniform illumination in alternative embodiments. The capacitive sensing apparatus finds particular application within a touch sensitive display.


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