{
  "patent_number": "US 20110234542",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Using Different Light Colors to Detect Touches on Screens",
  "original_title": "Methods and Systems Utilizing Multiple Wavelengths for Position Detection",
  "summary": "This 2011 patent describes a system that uses two different colors of light to accurately detect where an object, like a finger, touches a screen or surface.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent details a system for detecting the position of objects within a specific area, like a display screen. It works by using an optical detector to capture images. The system shines light of a first wavelength (color) into the area, capturing a first image. Then, it shines light of a second wavelength (another color) into the same area and captures a second image. The core idea is to process these two images, specifically by subtracting the second image's signal from the first. This subtraction helps to eliminate false signals, such as light that reflects directly back from the surface itself, and can also help identify the object based on how it interacts with the different light colors. For example, if you touch a screen, the system can figure out exactly where your finger is by analyzing the differences in the light patterns.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Systems that only use a single wavelength or color of light for detection.",
    "Detection systems that do not involve subtracting image signals to isolate object interaction.",
    "Methods that rely on sound waves or electrical capacitance for touch detection.",
    "Systems that cannot differentiate between direct reflections and reflections from a specific edge member.",
    "Position detection that does not involve generating an image from an optical detector."
  ],
  "filed": "2011-03-25",
  "granted": null,
  "expires": "2031-03-25",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Paul Marson",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/paul-marson"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 17,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software",
    "telecommunications"
  ],
  "abstract": "A position detection system can utilize multiple optical responses to a detection scene, such as by using multiple different patterns of light for imaging a given detection scene. The multiple patterns can include a first pattern containing image data that can be used to separate reflected light from retroreflected light in a second pattern of light. This can be used to reduce errors, such as false detections due to directly-reflected light, and/or can be used for identification of objects in the touch detection scene when the objects themselves are optically configured to appear differently in different patterns of light.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20110234542/methods-and-systems-utilizing-multiple-wavelengths-for-position-detection",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20110234542/methods-and-systems-utilizing-multiple-wavelengths-for-position-detection/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20110234542",
  "relatedPatents": []
}