Optical Imaging Device for Touch Control Using Corner Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical imaging devices for touch control in consumer electronics require multiple image capturing modules, leading to increased cost and image synchronization issues, especially in large-size displays, and often result in image deformation and user inconvenience due to reflective mirror placement within the touch control area.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging device utilizing multiple reflective optical units, including first, second, and third reflective optical units positioned outside the display panel, with a single image capturing module to synchronize image capture, avoiding image deformation and user inconvenience by focusing light on a single image capturing position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple image capturing modules are used to detect shadows for touch control, then measurement precision and multi-touch capability are improved, but device cost and synchronization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light reflection path into multiple segments using separate reflective optical units for different touch zones. Each reflective optical unit reflects light from a specific corner area to the single image capturing module, enabling spatial segmentation of touch detection without requiring multiple image capturing modules. This segmentation approach maintains measurement precision while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reflective optical units as intermediary components between the touch surface and the image capturing module. These intermediaries redirect light paths from different corners of the display to the single image sensor, enabling multi-zone touch detection without direct placement of multiple sensors. The intermediary reflects light while maintaining image quality and synchronization.
2Device complexity
If reflective mirrors are placed within the touch control area to reflect images to a single sensor, then device cost is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to obstruction of the touch area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reflective optical units from the touch control area and relocates them to the periphery or behind the display panel. By taking out the reflective components from the active touch zone, the touch control area remains unobstructed for user interaction while the reflective units continue to function in redirecting light paths from corner areas to the image capturing module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates reflective optical units to three-dimensional spaces around or behind the display panel rather than within the two-dimensional touch control plane. This dimensional relocation allows light reflection functionality to be achieved without occupying the flat touch surface area, maintaining both cost-effectiveness and user convenience.
3Productivity
If the display size is increased while using reflective mirrors within the touch area, then productivity and market competitiveness are improved, but image deformation increases and requires additional calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple reflective optical units positioned at different corners to create multiple reflected images of the touch surface on the single image sensor. By capturing multiple copies of the touch area from different angular perspectives and processing them through coordinate transformation, the system achieves accurate touch detection on large displays without image deformation issues.
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 cost-effective, high-stability image capture in large-size displays without deforming images and allows for convenient user interaction by eliminating the need for reflective optics within the touch control area, achieving synchronized image capture efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first reflective optical unit installed on an outside corner of the display panel for reflecting light transmitted from an object moving within the coordinate detecting area
Implementation Method 2
at least one second reflective optical unit installed outside the display panel for reflecting the light reflected from the at least one first reflective optical unit
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging device includes a display panel whereon a coordinate detecting area is formed, at least one first reflective optical unit installed on an outside corner of the display panel for reflecting light transmitted from an object moving within the coordinate detecting area, at least one second reflective optical unit installed outside the display panel for reflecting the light reflected from the at least one first reflective optical unit, an image capturing module for capturing the light reflected from the at least one second reflective optical unit so as to capture image of the object, and a control module coupled to the image capturing module for receiving the image captured by the image capturing module and for calculating a coordinate value of the object within the coordinate area according to the image.