Gesture-Controlled Glass Storefront Display via Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storefront displays are one-way communication systems, lacking interaction capabilities for passersby due to technological and financial challenges in integrating sensors and control data through glass, with existing solutions either exposing sensors to the elements or requiring direct glass contact, and suffering from inferior image quality and limited interaction.
Innovation Solution
A system using a source of light with a unique signature and ambient light-filtering sensing mechanisms, such as cameras, to detect human movements through a transparent medium like glass, allowing users to control images and objects without touching the glass, with the ability to position screens and sensors flexibly inside the storefront.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are placed outside the storefront window to detect user activity, then interaction capability is improved, but sensors are exposed to the elements and vulnerable to vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the glass window itself as an intermediary medium to transmit light signals from outside to sensors inside. The glass acts as a barrier that protects sensors while allowing optical signals to pass through, solving the contradiction between exposure and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical contact-based sensing with optical sensing. Instead of mechanical sensors that would need to be outside, the system uses light-based detection that can operate through the glass barrier, eliminating the need for external sensor placement.
2Ease of operation
If capacitive touch-sensing systems are used with rear-projected images, then touch interaction is enabled, but users must physically touch the glass and image quality suffers from sunlight and reflections
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of projecting images from the inside out through the glass, the patent inverts the approach by detecting gestures from the outside and displaying images on interior screens. This eliminates the problem of sunlight and reflections affecting the displayed image while maintaining user interaction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the display function from the glass surface itself and places it on separate interior screens. This separation allows the glass to serve only as a transparent interface for gesture detection, while the display quality is controlled independently inside the storefront.
3Area of stationary object
If rear-projected images are used on transparent film, then display on glass is achieved, but image quality suffers greatly and is adversely affected by sunlight and reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces interior screens as an intermediary display medium between the gesture detection system and the user. These screens are positioned inside the storefront and can display high-quality images without being directly affected by external light conditions, while the glass remains a transparent interface.
4Ease of manufacture
If a closed system with interior monitor is used, then display is enabled, but the system is not connected to other aspects of the holistic window area, limiting interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the glass window serves multiple purposes: it remains a transparent architectural element, acts as a gesture detection interface, and connects to interior display systems. This universal approach allows the same structure to provide both display and interaction functions without requiring separate closed systems.
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 two-way communication and interactive experiences for passersby, enhancing user engagement and flexibility in display design by allowing gesture-controlled interaction with images and objects from outside the storefront, while maintaining high image quality and resisting ambient light interference.
Implementation Method 1
The IR emitter directs IR radiation through the glass, wherein the IR radiation is reflected back through the glass to the IR detector
Implementation Method 2
a source of light having a unique signature and a sensing mechanism having an ambient light filter, the sensing mechanism configured to detect at least one movement of at least one human appendage
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for providing an interactive window display are provided, wherein the system includes a source of light having a unique signature and a sensing mechanism having an ambient light filter, the sensing mechanism configured to detect at least one movement of at least one human appendage. The system further includes a means for interpreting the at least one movement operatively connected to a processor configured to execute a set of computer-readable instructions, the means including instructions for controlling images on an external screen, instructions for controlling at least one integrated object, and at least one instruction, wherein the at least one instruction indicates to a user how to operate the system.