US Patent 7417627 Sensing display

A display and method for making the same are provided that can sense a force applied thereto. The display comprises a substrate, an array of individually controllable image-forming elements arranged on the substrate; and a support located proximate to the substrate. The support has an arrangement of light paths formed therein to transmit light from a light source to a light sensor. The light paths are arranged in an area that is, at least in part, co-extensive with the array. The support is elastically deformable so that an application of force to the support causes the light paths to deform in a manner that reduces the portion of light passing through light paths elastically deformed by the application of force.