Optical Touch Control Device Border Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical touch control systems are limited in scalability and flexibility, as they require precise adjustments for larger dimensions and are restricted to rectangular shapes, making it difficult to arbitrarily expand or combine smaller touch screens into larger or non-rectangular geometrical shapes without increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of wide-angle image capturing modules with capture angles greater than 90°, allowing for the combination and expansion of optical touch control devices into larger dimensions and various geometrical shapes without the need for additional hardware, by capturing and processing images from the borders rather than just the corners, and enabling a global touch status calculation through a touch processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If optical touch control systems use traditional corner-placed sensors for large-dimension applications, then the system can achieve large detection area, but the resolution and focal distance of sensors need fine-tuning and adjustments to reflective/light-emitting borders are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection area into multiple smaller detection areas, each equipped with its own image capturing module. This segmentation allows each sensor to operate within its optimal focal distance and resolution range while collectively covering a large detection area, eliminating the need for fine-tuning adjustments on large-dimension systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from placing sensors only at the corners (2D point-based arrangement) to placing sensors along the borders (1D line-based arrangement) and potentially at multiple positions. This dimensional change in sensor distribution enables each sensor to capture images from optimal angles without requiring system-wide adjustments to reflective borders or light-emitting configurations.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical touch control systems use traditional rectangular touch screens, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the system cannot be arbitrarily combined into different geometrical shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the touch screen into multiple independent detection area modules that can be manufactured separately using standardized processes. These modular segments can then be combined in various configurations to form different geometrical shapes (rectangular, L-shaped, U-shaped, etc.), providing manufacturing simplicity with geometric flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal detection area modules with standardized interfaces and image capturing module placements that can serve multiple functions: they can be combined to form different geometrical shapes, scaled to create various sizes, and configured for different application scenarios. This universality allows the same basic module design to adapt to diverse requirements without requiring custom manufacturing for each shape.
3Ease of manufacture
If optical touch control systems use smaller touch screens, then the production cost is lower, but the user cannot arbitrarily expand dimensions to create larger touch screens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables merging multiple smaller detection area modules into larger composite touch screens. Each small module maintains its cost-effective design with standard sensors and processing capabilities, while the modules can be combined through coordinate transformation and image fusion to create large-dimension touch screens. This merging approach allows dimensional expansion without proportionally increasing production cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large touch screen into multiple smaller, independently manufacturable detection area modules. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the cost advantages of small-module production (standardized components, simplified assembly) while achieving the functional equivalent of a large touch screen through the combination of multiple segments.
4Device complexity
If optical touch control systems place image capturing modules at corners only, then the device structure is simplified, but the capture angles are limited and cannot cover the entire detection area effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capturing function into multiple distributed modules placed along the borders rather than concentrating them at corners. This segmentation of the capturing function across multiple positions enables each module to capture images from optimal angles, ensuring complete coverage of the detection area while maintaining relatively simple individual module designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the image capturing modules from corner points (0D points) to border locations (1D line distribution). This dimensional change in module placement enables the system to capture images from multiple angles along the borders, effectively covering the entire detection area including regions that would be blind spots with corner-only placement.
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 allows for flexible design and reduced sensor requirements, enabling the creation of large-dimension optical touch control systems of any geometrical shape, enhancing scalability and reducing production costs while maintaining effective touch status determination.
Implementation Method 1
optical touch control systems have been developed for these operations... dispose an infrared (IR) light source around a touch area, and shadows generated by objects on the touch area that obstruct the infrared light source are detected
Data Source
AI summary
An optical touch control device includes a detection area, a plurality of image capturing modules, for capturing a plurality of images on the detecting area, and a processing module, coupled to the plurality of image capturing modules, for determining a touch status of the detection area according to variations of the plurality of images, wherein a plurality of capture angles of the plurality of image capturing modules relative to the detection are greater than 90°.