LED Matrix Touch Detection via Fiber Optical Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for transportation vehicles lack efficient and unobtrusive methods to detect operating actions, such as touch inputs, for functions like infotainment systems and window lifters, which are not easily integrated with human-machine interfaces (HMIs) to provide robust multitouch capabilities and haptic feedback.
Innovation Solution
An operating device comprising a matrix of LEDs with a fiber optical unit that rapidly switches between light emission and detection modes, using LEDs with different light spectra, including infrared, to detect reflections and radiate light through fibers, allowing for precise touch detection and integration with HMIs, enabling robust multitouch capabilities and haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional operating devices are used for transportation vehicles, then basic single-touch functionality can be achieved, but robust multitouch capabilities and haptic feedback cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (light emission, light detection, touch sensing, and haptic feedback) into a single integrated LED matrix system. Each LED serves dual purposes: emitting light for display and detecting reflected light for touch sensing, eliminating the need for separate sensors and enabling robust multitouch capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The LED matrix is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual display through light emission, touch detection through reflected light sensing, and haptic feedback through vibratory actuation. This multi-functionality allows the system to support robust multitouch capabilities while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If touch detection methods are added to provide robust multitouch capabilities, then multitouch functionality is achieved, but integration with human-machine interfaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The touch detection functionality is merged directly into the LED matrix structure itself. The LEDs detect reflected light from touch contacts, and this detection is seamlessly integrated with the existing HMI framework, allowing touch inputs to be processed alongside visual display functions without requiring separate integration layers
Solution Approach 2:
The LED matrix serves itself by using its own emitted light as the illumination source for touch detection. The same LEDs that produce the visual display also detect reflected light from touch contacts, eliminating the need for separate illumination sources or detection systems and simplifying HMI integration
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate detection systems are used for touch inputs, then touch detection capability is provided, but the system lacks haptic feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges touch detection and haptic feedback functions into the same LED matrix structure. The LEDs not only detect touch inputs through reflected light sensing but also provide haptic feedback through vibratory actuation, creating a unified interaction interface that combines both sensing and actuation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by detecting touch inputs through the LED matrix and immediately providing haptic feedback through the same structure. The vibratory feedback responds dynamically to detected touch contacts, creating a responsive interaction loop that enhances user perception of touch inputs
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 solution enables seamless detection of touch inputs and provides a robust, multitouch-capable interface with haptic feedback, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, by utilizing a fiber optical unit to convey light reflections from touch points to processing units, enhancing the operational efficiency and usability of transportation vehicle functions.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optical unit is provided which has a plurality of fibers and is arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein light of a first LED is led into a fiber of the plurality of fibers, which is reflected in the fiber and radiated by the fiber into a second LED
Implementation Method 2
light of a first LED is led into a fiber of the plurality of fibers, which is reflected in the fiber and radiated by the fiber into a second LED
Data Source
AI summary
An operating device for a transportation vehicle for operating a function of a transportation vehicle, wherein the operating device includes LEDs arranged adjacent to one another forming a matrix, wherein a processing unit ascertains whether light of at least one first LED is reflected and/or radiated because of an operating action at least into a second LED.