Optical Touch Sensing With Deformable Layers for 3D Contact Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensing technologies, such as capacitance and resistance-based sensors, struggle to accurately characterize complex interactions between human hands and computing devices, particularly when using gesture-based commands, as they are limited to planar and stiff surfaces, failing to replicate the rich information provided by human nervous systems.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing deformable transmissive layers with integrated illumination sources and detectors to characterize geometric profiles of interfaced objects or body portions, employing elastomeric materials and optical elements to detect and analyze surface orientations and interactions, potentially enhanced by secondary sensors and neural networks for command prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitance and resistance based touch sensors are used, then touch detection is achieved on planar surfaces, but the ability to characterize complex 3D interactions and geometric profiles is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical touch sensing with an optical measurement system. Instead of using capacitance or resistance sensors that only detect planar contact, the system uses illumination sources and detectors to optically characterize the 3D geometric profile of touched surfaces, enabling measurement of non-planar and complex surface interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D planar touch detection to 3D spatial characterization. By using multiple illumination sources at different orientations and detecting light interactions from various angles, the system captures geometric profile information that adds a third dimension to touch measurement, enabling characterization of curved and complex surfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid touch sensors are used, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to conform to complex surface geometries is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible or deformable transmissive layers that can conform to complex surface geometries while maintaining optical clarity. These flexible layers allow the sensor to adapt to curved and irregular surfaces, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and surface conformability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple illumination sources and detectors are integrated, then geometric profile characterization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs an integrated optical system where illumination sources and detectors serve multiple functions. The same optical components used for geometric profile characterization also enable touch detection, surface orientation analysis, and material property measurement, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced measurement capabilities.
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
Enhances the characterization of touch interactions, allowing for more accurate prediction of user commands by analyzing geometric profiles and secondary indicators, improving the usability of gesture-based interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable transmissive layer coupled to an interface membrane, wherein the interface membrane is interfaced against at least one aspect of an interfaced object; a first illumination source operatively coupled to the deformable transmissive layer and configured to emit first illumination light into the deformable transmissive layer
Implementation Method 2
The deformable transmissive layer may comprise an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material may be selected from the group consisting of: silicone, urethane, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
Implementation Method 3
a detector configured to detect light from within at least a portion of the deformable transmissive layer; and a computing system configured to operate the detector to detect at least a portion of light directed from the deformable transmissive layer, to determine surface orientations pertaining to positions along the interface membrane
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a system for characterizing interaction between surfaces, comprising: a deformable transmissive layer coupled to an interface membrane, wherein the interface membrane is interfaced against at least one aspect of an interfaced object; a first illumination source operatively coupled to the deformable transmissive layer and configured to emit first illumination light into the deformable transmissive layer at a known first illumination orientation relative to the deformable transmissive layer, such that at least a portion of the first illumination light interacts with the deformable transmissive layer; a detector configured to detect light from within at least a portion of the deformable transmissive layer; and a computing system configured to operate the detector to detect at least a portion of light directed from the deformable transmissive layer, to determine surface orientations pertaining to positions along the interface membrane based at least in part upon interaction of the first illumination light with the deformable transmissive layer, and to utilize the determined surface orientations to characterize a geometric profile of the at least one aspect of the interfaced object as interfaced against the interface membrane.