Optical Touch Panel Using Fiber Optic Bundles for Multi-Point Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels, such as resistive and capacitive touch panels, have limitations in detecting multiple touch points and cannot accurately distinguish between different objects, and are susceptible to environmental effects.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel comprising a rigid and transparent surface layer, a light source, image sensors, and fiber optic bundles that transmit light and images for analysis using image processing techniques to detect the position and pattern of any object, enabling precise detection of multiple touch points and diverse objects, and providing resistance to environmental effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If resistive or capacitive touch panel systems are used, then touch detection functionality is provided, but the number of detectable touch points is limited and magnetic resistance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional resistive or capacitive sensing systems with an optical imaging system. Instead of detecting touch through resistance changes or capacitance variations, the system uses a camera to capture images of objects contacting the surface, substituting mechanical/electrical sensing with optical detection to enable multiple touch points and enhanced versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the touched objects on the surface. By capturing images of objects and analyzing their patterns, the system detects touch positions and object identities without direct electrical contact, enabling simultaneous detection of multiple touch points and different object types
2Measurement precision
If conventional touch panels are used, then touch position detection is provided, but the ability to distinguish between different objects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical imaging system between the user and the surface. The camera captures images of objects, and image processing algorithms analyze these images to identify object patterns and characteristics, preserving object identification information that would be lost in conventional touch panels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional electrical sensing with optical imaging to detect and distinguish different objects. By analyzing image patterns, the system can identify different objects based on their visual characteristics, preventing loss of object identification information
3Reliability
If conventional touch panel systems are used, then touch detection is provided, but resistance to environmental effects is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical sensing systems with an optical imaging system that uses a camera to detect touches. This substitution makes the system immune to electromagnetic interference and other environmental effects that plague conventional electrical touch panels, enhancing reliability in various environmental conditions
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 easy, precise, and practical detection of touch positions and patterns for multiple objects, improving the number of detectable touch points and distinguishing between various objects, while being resistant to environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first fiber optic bundle comprising a plurality of fiber optic cables, a tips of which is positioned facing to the light source and other tips of which is positioned facing to the said surface layer, and transmitting the light obtained from the light source to the surface layer
Implementation Method 2
an object that contacts to the surface layer is illuminated by the light source so that an image thereof is captured by the image source
Data Source
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AI summary
The touch panel (T) according to the present invention may be used in any medium, device or system and even an application with a rough surface which has touch properties, which detects a touch position and pattern of any desired object, which is resistant to environmental effects, with a high number of points that may be detected at a time. Said touch panel (T) comprises a surface layer (1); a light source (2); an image sensor (3); a first fiber optic bundle (5a) comprising a plurality of fiber optic cables, a tips of which is positioned facing to the light source (2) and other tips of which is positioned facing to the said surface layer (1); a second fiber optic bundle (5b) comprising a plurality of fiber optic cables, a tips of which is paired with a pixel of the image sensor (3) and other tips of which is positioned facing to the said surface layer (1); a control unit which analyzes the image captured by the image sensor (3) using image processing techniques so as to identify a position of an object which contacts to the surface layer (1); and a first data link (6) for data communication between the image sensor (3) and the control unit.