Coplanar 3D Display with Ultrasonic Tactile Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for generating multi-sense experiences, such as 3-D displays combined with directed audio and tactile fields, face scalability and usability issues due to the need for large orthogonal planes, which are cumbersome and can interfere with each other's functionality.
Innovation Solution
A tileable and scalable unit is proposed, where a slit plane is coplanar with a 3-D display panel, allowing slits for light passage and ultrasonic transducers for tactile and audio generation. This configuration enables seamless tiling of units without the obstructions caused by orthogonal planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic transducers are disposed orthogonally relative to a 3-D display plane, then directed audio and tactile fields can be generated, but the device becomes non-scalable and requires large orthogonal planes that interfere with each other's functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the 3-D display plane and ultrasonic transducer plane into a single coplanar surface. The transducers are integrated directly onto the display plane, allowing both visual and acoustic/tactile functions to coexist in the same spatial plane without requiring orthogonal separation. This integration enables scalability while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional orthogonal arrangement (display plane perpendicular to transducer plane) to a two-dimensional coplanar arrangement. By flattening the spatial relationship between components onto a single plane, the system eliminates the interference problems associated with orthogonal protrusions and enables seamless tiling for scalability.
2Area of stationary object
If a large orthogonal plane is used for ultrasonic transducers to generate large 3-D displays, then directed audio and tactile fields can be generated, but the device requires users to stand on large planes or take up entire walls
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the display and transducer functions into a single coplanar unit, the patent eliminates the need for separate large orthogonal planes. The integrated design allows the entire system to be mounted on a wall or surface without requiring users to stand on the transducer plane, improving usability while maintaining large display capability.
3Reliability
If orthogonal planes are used for 3-D display and ultrasonic transducers, then directed audio and tactile fields can be generated, but light from the display is blocked by the orthogonal plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display and transducer planes into a single coplanar structure, eliminating the orthogonal plane that blocked light. The transducers are positioned on the same plane as the display, allowing light to pass through the display surface without obstruction while still enabling acoustic and tactile functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for the creation of large, immersive 3-D environments with directed audio and tactile fields, maintaining functionality and usability by eliminating the need for large orthogonal planes, thus enhancing scalability and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a slit plane is disposed over a 3-D display panel such that the slit plane and 3-D display panel are coplanar relative to each other. The slit plane may include slits through which light from the 3-D display passes
Implementation Method 2
The unused area on the slit plane between the slits may be occupied by ultrasonic transducers for generating a tactile field, directional audio, or both
Implementation Method 3
In the area of touch, ultrasonic tactile fields is a rapidly developing technology by which specially placed sound energy, frequently generated by ultrasonic transducers, allows a person to feel the sound waves as virtual shapes in space
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for a scalable multi-sense user experience are disclosed. A three-dimensional (“3-D”) display is disposed behind a slit plane comprising slits and ultrasonic transducers. Light from the 3-D display passes through the slits in the slit plane to generate a 3-D image. The ultrasonic transducers on the front of the slit plane, i.e., opposite the side where the 3-D display is disposed, generate directed acoustic field and/or a formed tactile field. Because the generating components for all three senses, i.e., visual, audio, and tactile, are coplanar, units may be tiled and thereby scaled to generate larger multi-sense experiences.