Frameless Interactive Display Embedded in Non-Transparent Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch screen technologies require transparent materials, leading to increased dimensions and limited display capabilities when integrated into non-glass surfaces, failing to seamlessly blend with environments and provide full-range display functionalities.
Innovation Solution
An interactive display device with a frameless design, comprising a sensor layer, a light layer, and a microcontroller, embedded beneath a non-transparent surface layer, allowing for touch and proximity sensing, and rendering digital information through a grid of independently powered light elements, such as LEDs or OLEDs, which can be activated to display information without visible indication when inactive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If touch screen technology is integrated into non-glass surfaces, then environmental blending and aesthetic integration are improved, but device dimensions increase and display area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is divided into multiple independent layers (sensor layer, light layer, support layer) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, reducing the overall thickness while maintaining functionality when integrated into non-glass surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer and light layer are nested within the non-transparent surface structure, with the microcontroller positioned in a recess of the support layer. This nesting arrangement allows the display components to be embedded within the surface rather than adding external bulk, reducing overall dimensions while enabling integration into non-glass surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If multiple layers including air gaps and light guide are used for non-glass surface integration, then touch sensing capability is maintained, but device complexity and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor layer integrates both touch sensing functionality and structural support functions into a single layer, eliminating the need for separate air gaps and light guide layers. The sensor layer is positioned in direct contact with the non-transparent surface, merging multiple functional requirements into one component, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining touch sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides touch sensing capability, acts as a structural element, and enables light transmission from the light layer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated layers for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full operational capability.
3Area of stationary object
If frameless design with extendable light elements is used, then display area is maximized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light layer consists of multiple independently controllable light elements arranged in a grid pattern that extends to the outer perimeter. This segmentation allows each light element to be positioned and controlled independently, facilitating maximum display area coverage while managing manufacturing precision requirements through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light element in the grid can be independently powered and controlled, allowing local optimization of display quality and precision requirements. This local control approach enables the system to achieve high overall display area coverage while managing manufacturing precision at the individual element level rather than requiring perfect alignment across the entire display.
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
Enables seamless integration of touch and display capabilities into various non-transparent surfaces, providing a full range of display functionalities while maintaining a non-transparent appearance, enhancing user interaction and environmental blending.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor layer may have a capacitive touch sensor configured to generate an input signal related to a touch position on the sensor layer
Implementation Method 2
a light layer comprising a plurality of light elements that extend to the outer perimeter of the interactive display device and are configured to render digital information
Implementation Method 3
Exemplary light elements include at least LED, OLED
Data Source
AI summary
Touch responsive displays that may be integrated into a wide variety of non-transparent surfaces to provide on-demand human computer interfaces that blend with the environment, i.e., remain invisible unless activated, effectively adding digital user interfaces (UI) to non-technology products and surfaces. The interactive display devices are frameless assemblies of a sensor layer, a light layer, and a support layer housing a microcontroller, wherein the device is configured to be positioned beneath a non-transparent surface layer with the sensor or light layer arranged below the surface layer.