Noncontact Display Input via Light Blocking and Reflection Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display apparatuses lack a noncontact input function and effective hygiene control, as touch panels are limited by requiring physical contact and are prone to dust and bacterial contamination.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus incorporating light-emitting and light-receiving devices in a display portion that can detect light blocked or reflected by a pointing object, allowing noncontact input and light detection, with the ability to switch between different light detection modes based on intensity, using infrared light and a photoelectric conversion layer with organic compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch panel is used for input, then user interaction is enabled, but physical contact is required and hygiene control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoiddust and bacterial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch panel system with an optical detection system. Light-emitting devices and light-receiving devices are integrated into the display portion to detect pointing objects noncontactly. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact while maintaining input functionality, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and hygiene control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a touch panel is used for input, then user interaction is enabled, but noncontact input function is not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoidnoncontact input function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display portion is designed to perform multiple functions: display output and input detection. By integrating light-emitting devices and light-receiving devices into the display portion, the system achieves both display functionality and noncontact input capability. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability by enabling the same component to serve dual purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If light detection is performed in environments with varying illuminance, then detection accuracy may improve, but false detection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to adjust detection based on ambient light conditions. The light-receiving devices detect both emitted light and ambient light, and the system processes this feedback information to distinguish between actual pointing objects and ambient light variations. This feedback-based adjustment resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability in varying illuminance environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 a hygienic and efficient noncontact input function, enhancing user interaction while maintaining effective light detection capabilities, even in environments with varying illuminance levels.

Implementation Method 1

detecting, with the light-receiving device, light attenuated by being blocked by the pointing object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking/attenuation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

detecting, with the light-receiving device, light reflected by the pointing object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the light-receiving device include a photoelectric conversion layer and include an organic compound in the photoelectric conversion layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230238369A1Display apparatus and electronic device

Publication Date: 2023.07.27 SEMICON ENERGY LAB CO LTD

AI summary

A display apparatus having a noncontact input function is provided. The display apparatus has a first function of detecting, with a light-receiving device, light irradiated from a light source outside a display portion and blocked by a pointing object to recognize the position pointed by the pointing object, and a second function of detecting, with the light-receiving device, light irradiated from a light source inside or outside the display portion and reflected by the pointing object to recognize the position pointed by the pointing object. The display apparatus can operate by switching the first function and the second function in accordance with the intensity of the light irradiated from the light source outside the display portion.