Optical Assembly for Contactless Object Position Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchscreen technologies require physical contact and specialized hardware, limiting their integration with existing displays and preventing the detection of motion and position of objects without touching the screen.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly comprising image sensors and optical reflectors monitors a spatial region, using multiple optical paths to determine the position, orientation, and movement of objects, allowing for contactless interaction and integration with existing displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If touchscreen technologies are used to detect position and motion, then detection capability is improved, but physical contact is required which limits integration with existing displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based touchscreen systems with an optical detection system using cameras and image processing. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact while maintaining position and motion detection capabilities, enabling integration with existing display surfaces without requiring specialized touchscreen hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical reflectors as intermediaries between the object being tracked and the camera sensor. These reflectors enhance the optical signal from tracking markers, enabling more reliable detection without requiring direct contact between the user and display, thus bridging the gap between detection capability and display integration.
2Measurement precision
If specialized touchscreen hardware is used, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual copying of position and motion information through optical imaging rather than direct electrical sensing. Cameras capture visual copies of marker positions and movements, which are then processed to determine precise location and motion data, achieving high detection accuracy without complex specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standard cameras and optical components that can serve multiple functions including position detection, motion tracking, and potentially other imaging tasks. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity compared to dedicated touchscreen hardware while maintaining detection accuracy through software-based image processing.
3Measurement precision
If physical contact is required for interaction, then input precision is improved, but ease of operation and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact input with contactless optical tracking. Users can interact with the display through gestures and movements in the air space above the display surface, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining precise input through optical marker tracking and image processing.
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 the detection of object motion and position within a defined spatial region without physical contact, facilitating the conversion of ordinary surfaces into interactive interfaces and enhancing the usability of existing display systems.
Implementation Method 1
An optical assembly comprising image sensors and optical reflectors monitors a spatial region, using multiple optical paths to determine the position, orientation, and movement of objects
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes methods, systems, apparatuses, circuits and associated computer executable code for detecting motion, position and/or orientation of objects within a defined spatial region. According to some embodiments, a defined spatial region (hereinafter also referred to as the: “Active Space”) may be monitored, by any type of appropriate sensor or sensors, and position, orientation and movement of objects within the active space may be determined. Determined position, orientation and movement of objects within the active space may be translated to control signals or other forms of input for an associated computational device.