Fluid-Based Touch Panel Using RGB Analysis for Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panel systems, such as capacitance, resistive membrane, ultrasonic surface acoustic wave, and optical types, face issues like high manufacturing costs, high failure rates, and inability to deform or detect force and shape changes during use, with infrared thermography systems being affected by ambient temperature and unable to sense non-heating objects.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel system with a flexible bag-shaped body containing a colored, viscous fluid, using a camera to capture visible light and analyze RGB values to calculate touch coordinates and shape changes, allowing for deformation and real-time adjustment of touch sensitivity and fluid properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional touch panel systems (capacitance, resistive membrane, ultrasonic surface acoustic wave, optical) are used, then touch detection function is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the touch detection function from complex electrode patterns, membranes, or infrared cameras and implements it through a simple fluid-based system. A transparent flexible panel contains colored fluid that changes position or concentration when touched, allowing detection through optical means without requiring complex electronic components or multiple layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive materials such as colored dyes or pigments suspended in transparent fluid within a flexible container. These materials are cheap, easily replaceable, and eliminate the need for expensive manufacturing processes associated with conventional touch panels.
2Reliability
If conventional touch panel systems are used, then touch detection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive materials such as colored dyes or pigments suspended in transparent fluid within a flexible container. These materials are cheap, easily replaceable, and eliminate the need for expensive manufacturing processes associated with conventional touch panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the touch detection function from complex electrode patterns, membranes, or infrared cameras and implements it through a simple fluid-based system, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
3Measurement precision
If infrared thermography camera is used for touch detection, then touch location can be sensed, but the system fails when ambient temperature is close to body temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal detection mechanism (infrared thermography) with a mechanical/optical mechanism. When the panel is touched, the colored fluid physically moves or changes concentration in response to the applied force, and this change is detected optically rather than thermally, making the system immune to ambient temperature effects.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid touch panel structure is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the panel cannot be deformed to any shape during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible transparent container or membrane to hold the colored fluid, replacing rigid structural components. This flexible enclosure maintains structural integrity while allowing the panel to be bent, folded, or deformed into various shapes, enabling adaptable form factors.
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 system provides a low-cost, high accuracy touch panel that is not affected by ambient temperature, can detect force and shape changes, and allows for real-time adjustment of touch sensitivity and fluid properties, enabling flexible and accurate touch detection.
Implementation Method 1
a camera 50 capable of capturing light of visible wavelengths, for capturing the opposite face
Implementation Method 2
the camera captures, when an external force is applied to the touch face, the change in the color of the opposite face resulting from the touch face and the opposite face coming closer in distance and the fluid moving from this distance-reduced location
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel system 1 includes: a bag-shaped touch panel body part V having a flexible touch face 11 and a visible light transmittable opposite face 12, wherein a colored fluid 20 is contained in a space between the touch face and the opposite face; a camera 50 for taking an image of the opposite face; and an image analysis part 100 for analyzing RGB values of pixels in the image captured by the camera, wherein the camera captures a change in color of the opposite face resulting from an external force applied to the touch face and making the opposite face closer in distance, moving the fluid from the location 14; and the image analysis part calculates at least coordinates of the location or shape of the location based on the RGB value analysis results, and reflects the result in an image on an image display device.