Deformable Optical Touch Sensing for 3D Hand Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensing technologies struggle to accurately characterize complex physical engagements between human bodies and computer interfaces, particularly in scenarios involving deformable surfaces and nuanced hand movements.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a deformable transmissive layer coupled to an interface membrane, illuminated by multiple light sources with varying orientations and properties, and detected by a photodetector or image capture device, which characterizes the geometric profile of interfaced objects through surface orientation determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid planar touch sensor surface is used, then the touch sensor can detect capacitance and resistance changes, but the physical engagement between human hand and interface cannot be accurately characterized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable transmissive layer that can flex and deform under touch, replacing the traditional rigid planar sensor surface. This flexible membrane structure allows the system to capture deformation patterns caused by human hand interactions, enabling accurate characterization of physical engagement while maintaining touch sensing capability through the deformable medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an interface membrane as an intermediary element between the deformable transmissive layer and the interfaced object. This membrane layer mediates the interaction by transferring mechanical deformation information from the object to the transmissive layer, enabling indirect measurement of touch engagement characteristics without direct contact between the sensor and the object.
2Measurement precision
If multiple illumination sources with varying orientations are used, then surface orientation and geometric profile can be determined, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent illumination sources positioned at different orientations. Each light source illuminates the deformable transmissive layer from a specific direction, allowing the system to capture surface orientation information by analyzing how each light source's illumination is modulated by the deformed surface geometry. This segmentation enables precise measurement while keeping each individual light source simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of illumination orientation to the traditional single-point illumination approach. By positioning multiple light sources at varying angles and using a deformable transmissive layer, the system transforms 2D surface contact information into 3D geometric profile data, enabling determination of surface orientation and shape characteristics through optical modulation.
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
This system enhances the characterization of touch interactions by accurately determining surface orientations and geometric profiles, enabling more precise simulation of human hand interactions and improving the prediction of user commands.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable transmissive layer coupled to an interface membrane, wherein the interface membrane is interfaced against at least one aspect of an interfaced object; a first illumination source operatively coupled to the deformable transmissive layer and configured to emit first illumination light into the deformable transmissive layer
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect light from within at least a portion of the deformable transmissive layer; and a computing system configured to operate the detector to detect at least a portion of light directed from the deformable transmissive layer
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a system for characterizing interaction between surfaces, comprising: a deformable transmissive layer coupled to an interface membrane, wherein the interface membrane is interfaced against at least one aspect of an interfaced object; a first illumination source operatively coupled to the deformable transmissive layer and configured to emit first illumination light into the deformable transmissive layer at a known first illumination orientation relative to the deformable transmissive layer, such that at least a portion of the first illumination light interacts with the deformable transmissive layer; a detector configured to detect light from within at least a portion of the deformable transmissive layer; and a computing system configured to operate the detector to detect at least a portion of light directed from the deformable transmissive layer, to determine surface orientations pertaining to positions along the interface membrane based at least in part upon interaction of the first illumination light with the deformable transmissive layer, and to utilize the determined surface orientations to characterize a geometric profile of the at least one aspect of the interfaced object as interfaced against the interface membrane.