3D Lighted Eye Display Using Segmented LED Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for creating expressive eyes in toys are either mechanically limited, costly, or not suitable for mid-to-lower priced products, failing to effectively replicate the shape-changing emotive states essential for realistic emotional representation.
Innovation Solution
A lighted display device using molded resin base members with varying cavity depths and thin walls to house LEDs, combined with a microprocessor for programmable illumination patterns, mimicking eye expressions and blinking effects, while being cost-effective and adaptable to different character eye shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LCD technology is used to create expressive eyes, then a wide range of believable expressions can be achieved, but the device becomes completely flat, looks similar from one application to another, and increases the price range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D LCD displays to 3D lighted displays using translucent lenses and layered LED structures. The lens element creates depth by refracting light through different layers, producing a three-dimensional appearance that eliminates the flat look of LCDs while maintaining expressive capability through programmed LED patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different light colors to different regions of the eye display to create realistic expressions. Specific LED groups emit different colors (e.g., blue for surprise, red for anger) in specific patterns, allowing localized color control that enhances emotional expression while maintaining a consistent 3D appearance across different expressions.
2Manufacturing precision
If sophisticated electronic solutions like Irmler's construct are used to realistically move the image of an eye, then realistic eye movement is achieved, but the technology becomes complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simplified optical copying approach where a translucent lens with printed or etched eye patterns refracts LED light to create the illusion of realistic eye movement and shape changes. This copying method achieves realistic appearance without the complex mechanical or electronic systems of prior art, reducing both complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical eye movement systems with a static optical structure (translucent lens) combined with programmable LED illumination. The lens remains fixed while electronic control of LED patterns creates the illusion of movement, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining realistic appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing lighted display devices are used to animate eyes, then the illusion of the character being alive is achieved, but distinct emotive states cannot be represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the eye display into multiple independently controllable LED groups (e.g., upper eyelid LEDs, lower eyelid LEDs, iris LEDs, highlight LEDs). Each group can be programmed separately to create different expressions, allowing versatile emotive state representation while using standardized programming techniques that simplify control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes in LED illumination to represent different emotive states. Different color patterns (e.g., blue tones for calmness, red tones for anger, yellow for surprise) are programmed into specific LED groups, enabling intuitive emotional expression through color variation while using standard programmable LED control methods.
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 provides a cost-effective and versatile means to create a wide range of expressive eye animations, effectively replicating emotive states and enhancing the 'alive' effect in character toys, suitable for mid-to-lower priced products.
Implementation Method 1
A lighted display device uses molded resin base members with varying cavity depths and thin walls to house LEDs
Implementation Method 2
The eye animation device includes a translucent lens through which the LEDs are visible
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated display device with a base member representing an eye and having a primary cavity therein, usually existing as a pair of devices to represent two eyes. Thin walls within the primary cavity divide it into multiple chambers wherein each chamber has a shape and volume that represents a view of a different, unique emotive response in an eye. Illumination devices are placed in each thin-walled chamber shape to emit light from the chamber volume through a top opening of the cavity in a pattern. Lighting all illumination devices equally imitates an open eye while illuminating the volume of one or more chambers at OFF or lesser brightness than the volume in other chambers creates the illusion that the eye has changed shape to equal the shape in the brightly lit chambers only. The device can thus imitate the changing shapes in an eye when expressing emotion. A speaker can emit sounds in synchronization with a pattern of illumination to enhance the emotive effect. The chamber shapes and volumes in the primary cavity can be covered by translucent material that may be printed with a graphic representation of an eye.