Spatial resolution in touch displays

Abstract

A touch-sensitive apparatus comprises a first subset of components on a first end of the touch surface, and a second subset of components on a second end which is opposite to and parallel with the first end. The components include emitters and detectors, each emitter being operable for propagating a diverging energy beam (e.g. radiation) across the touch surface inside the panel, and each detector being operable for detecting transmitted energy from at least two emitters. The components in at least one of the first and second subsets are systematically arranged in spatially separate groups along at least one of the first and second ends, so as to achieve a reduced spacing and/or an increased uniformity of the transmission paths along a center line between the first and second ends compared to an equidistant arrangement of all components.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A touch-sensitive apparatus, comprising
 a panel defining a touch surface, the panel comprising a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a third edge perpendicular from the first edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge;   a first plurality of emitters arranged on the first edge;   a second plurality of emitters arranged on the third edge;   a first plurality of detectors arranged on the second edge, wherein the second edge does not include any emitters; and   a second plurality of detectors arranged on the fourth edge, wherein the fourth edge does not include any emitters.   
     
     
         21 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first plurality of detectors are divided into a plurality of groups, wherein each group includes at least two detectors, wherein the plurality of groups are spaced apart according to an intra-group spacing and each of the detectors within a group are spaces apart according to an inter-group spacing. 
     
     
         22 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a ratio of the inter-group spacing to the intra-group spacing is 1.33. 
     
     
         23 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the intra-group spacing in at least one group is in the range 0.25-5 mm. 
     
     
         24 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first plurality of emitters are divided into a plurality of groups, wherein each group includes at least two emitters, wherein the plurality of groups are spaced apart according to an intra-group spacing and each of the emitters within a group are spaces apart according to an inter-group spacing. 
     
     
         25 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein a ratio of the inter-group spacing to the intra-group spacing is 1.33. 
     
     
         26 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the intra-group spacing in at least one group is in the range 0.25-5 mm. 
     
     
         27 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the panel is rectangular. 
     
     
         28 . A touch-sensitive apparatus, comprising
 a panel defining a touch surface, the panel comprising a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, a third edge perpendicular from the first edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge;   wherein the first edge is configured to include only a first plurality of emitters;   wherein the third edge is configured to include only a second plurality of emitters;   wherein the second edge is configured to include only a first plurality of detectors;   wherein the fourth edge is configured to include only a second plurality of detectors; and   wherein the panel is rectangular.   
     
     
         29 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the first plurality of emitters are divided into a plurality of groups, wherein each group includes at least two emitters, wherein the plurality of groups are spaced apart according to an intra-group spacing and each of the emitters within a group are spaces apart according to an inter-group spacing. 
     
     
         30 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein a ratio of the inter-group spacing to the intra-group spacing is 1.33. 
     
     
         31 . The touch-sensitive apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the intra-group spacing in at least one group is in the range 0.25-5 mm.