3D Optical Sensor Bevel Region for Display Depth Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screen technologies, such as resistive and capacitive systems, face challenges in maintaining optical clarity and accuracy due to the placement of sensors and light interference from contaminants, which affects the reliability of touch event detection and depth measurement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a three-dimensional optical sensor system with a beveled region extending from a transparent layer, allowing infrared light to pass through while keeping visible light out, and positioned outside the perimeter of the display panel to capture depth information without degrading the optical clarity, combined with a light source and receiver configuration that minimizes interference from contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a three-dimensional optical sensor is mounted in front of the transparent layer to detect touch depth, then depth detection capability is improved, but contaminants can interfere with the light transmission between source and sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is moved from the front surface to the rear side of the transparent layer, utilizing the third dimension (depth/position in space) to resolve the conflict between needing direct light access for accurate depth detection and avoiding contaminant interference. This spatial repositioning allows the sensor to detect infrared light transmitted through the layer without being exposed to surface contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent layer itself acts as an intermediary medium that allows infrared light to pass through from the front surface to the sensor on the rear side. This mediator enables the sensor to function accurately without direct exposure to contaminants while still detecting the optical signals needed for depth measurement.
2Ease of operation
If conventional resistive or capacitive layers are added to the display, then touch detection capability is improved, but optical clarity is degraded due to additional layers reducing light transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical contact-based touch detection mechanisms (resistive layers requiring mechanical contact, capacitive layers requiring charge transfer) with an optical detection system using infrared light and a three-dimensional optical sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for additional physical layers that would degrade optical clarity while maintaining robust touch detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses infrared light (a different wavelength parameter) instead of visible light for touch detection, allowing the optical sensor to detect touch events without interfering with the visible display output. This parameter change enables simultaneous optimization of both touch detection and visual clarity.
3Measurement precision
If two-dimensional optical touch systems are used to determine touch location, then touch detection is achieved, but intensive image processing is required to determine depth, increasing computational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computational image processing methods with a direct three-dimensional optical sensing approach. Instead of using algorithms to calculate depth from two-dimensional images, the system uses dedicated depth-sensing capability inherent in three-dimensional optical sensors, which directly measure depth information through time-of-flight or other optical depth detection methods, significantly reducing computational complexity.
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 solution enhances the accuracy of touch event detection and depth measurement by reducing light interference and maintaining the optical clarity of the display, enabling efficient detection of multiple objects and their distances from the screen.
Implementation Method 1
A three dimensional optical sensor can be on the back of the bevel region. The bevel region may allow the three dimensional optical sensor to have a field of view that travels across the surface of the transparent layer.
Implementation Method 2
The bevel region may also reduce the amount of light that is used by changing the angle that the light is captured by the three dimensional optical sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A display system can include a transparent layer. The transparent layer can include a front and a back. A bevel region can extend from the transparent layer. A panel can be on the back of the transparent layer. A three dimensional optical sensor can be on the back of the bevel region.