Light Source Device for Interactive Touch Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interactive touch systems face inefficiencies in utilizing invisible light beams due to half of the light emitted being unused, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased complexity and cost when using multiple light source devices or a single device with a 360-degree divergence angle.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with a conical surface and a cylindrical curved surface is designed, where the cylindrical surface's curvature centers are not on the central axis, allowing the invisible light beam to be reflected and diverged efficiently over a display surface, enhancing the utilization of the light beam by preventing unnecessary reflection or refraction back to the conical surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single light source device with a conical surface is used to emit an invisible light beam with a divergence angle of 360 degrees, then the light beam can range over the entire projected area, but only half of the invisible light beam (180 degrees) proceeds toward the projected area and is used, while the other half becomes invalid light, resulting in low utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cylindrical curved surface as a new dimensional element to redirect light beams. The cylindrical surface reflects light that would otherwise be wasted, bending it toward the projected area. This adds a new spatial dimension to light redirection, converting invalid light into useful light and improving overall utilization efficiency while maintaining full area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical curved surface acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the projected area. It receives light beams from the conical surface and redirects them toward the projected area, serving as a mediator that transforms invalid light into valid light. This intermediary structure enables the system to utilize both halves of the 360-degree light emission.
2Area of stationary object
If two light source devices are combined to emit invisible light beams with divergence angles of at least 180 degrees each, then the whole projected area can be covered, but the volume, cost, and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple light source devices into a single integrated device. By combining a conical surface and a cylindrical curved surface in one device, it achieves the light distribution effect that previously required two separate devices. This merging reduces the number of components, simplifies assembly, and lowers cost while maintaining full projected area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light source device is designed to perform multiple functions: the conical surface directs light in one direction while the cylindrical curved surface redirects light in another direction. This multi-functional design allows one device to replace two devices, as it can cover the entire projected area through its dual-surface configuration, reducing system complexity and cost.
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
This design enhances the utilization efficiency of the invisible light beam, ensuring that both 180-degree angles of the light beam are utilized, improving the interactive touch system's performance and reducing unnecessary light loss.
Implementation Method 1
the invisible light beam is reflected by the conical surface and the cylindrical curved surface to be diverged and range over the display surface
Implementation Method 2
the invisible light beam is reflected by the conical surface and the cylindrical curved surface to be diverged and range over the display surface
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive touch system includes a display device, a light source device and an invisible light detecting device. The display device is adapted to provide an image beam to a display surface. The light source device includes a light-emitting element and a light-guide element. The light-guide element has a conical surface and a cylindrical curved surface facing the conical surface. The curvature center of at least partial section of the cylindrical curved surface is not located on the central axis of the conical surface. The light-emitting element is adapted to emit an invisible light beam toward the conical surface, and the invisible light beam is reflected by the conical surface and the cylindrical curved surface to be diverged and range over the display surface. When an object moves to the display surface, the invisible light beam is reflected by the object to be detected by the invisible light detecting device.