Infrared Light Guide Plate for Non-Contact Touch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels require direct contact with the screen to operate, limiting user interaction to only tactile inputs and restricting functionality.
Innovation Solution
A touch display apparatus incorporating a light guide plate, infrared light source arrays, and cameras to recognize input coordinates adjacent to the display surface by emitting and capturing infrared rays, allowing for both contact and non-contact interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional touch panels are used, then direct contact operation is achieved, but non-contact interaction capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The display apparatus integrates both contact and non-contact touch detection capabilities into a single system. The touch panel can operate in both direct contact mode (traditional capacitive/resistive sensing) and non-contact mode (infrared sensing), allowing one device to serve multiple interaction purposes without requiring separate systems for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared light guide plate serves as an intermediary element between the display panel and the infrared light sources. It distributes infrared light uniformly across the display surface, enabling the infrared sensors to detect non-contact gestures. This mediator allows the system to extend beyond direct contact while maintaining a unified touch interface.
2Ease of operation
If only direct contact with screen is allowed, then simple operation is maintained, but interaction range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional contact-based interaction (only on the screen surface) to three-dimensional interaction by detecting gestures in the air space above the display. The infrared sensing capability allows users to perform gestures at different heights and distances from the screen, adding a spatial dimension to the interaction model while preserving intuitive operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If infrared light sources and cameras are added, then non-contact touch detection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared light guide plate is integrated with the display panel structure, merging the optical guiding function with the existing display architecture. The infrared light sources are positioned along the edges of the display, and the light guide plate distributes this light across the entire surface, combining multiple functions (light distribution, touch sensing enablement) into a single integrated component rather than adding separate discrete elements.
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 intuitive and accurate recognition of input coordinates, enhancing user interaction by allowing inputs adjacent to the screen, thereby expanding the range of possible interactions beyond direct contact.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate disposed over the display surface of the display panel and formed to emit light incident into one side surface of the light guide plate through an upper surface of the light guide plate
Implementation Method 2
a first light source array disposed on one side of the light guide plate and including a plurality of infrared light sources configured to emit infrared rays to an one side surface of the light guide plate
Implementation Method 3
a camera disposed on at least one side of the first light source array and configured to photograph infrared rays emitted through an entire area of the upper surface of the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
A touch display apparatus is provided. The touch display apparatus includes a display panel including a display surface, a light guide plate disposed over the display surface of the display panel and formed to emit light incident into one side surface of the light guide plate through an upper surface of the light guide plate, a first light source array disposed on one side of the light guide plate and including a plurality of infrared light sources configured to emit infrared rays to an one side surface of the light guide plate, a camera disposed on at least one side of the first light source array and configured to photograph infrared rays emitted through an entire area of the upper surface of the light guide plate, and a processor configured to recognize coordinates of an input object adjacent to the upper surface of the light guide plate using infrared rays images captured by the camera.