Optical Waveguide Touch Panel with Integrated Actuator Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch panels, particularly optical waveguide-based ones, do not provide tactile feedback to users despite their ability to measure pressure and location, which is essential for enhancing user interaction, especially in 3D displays and multi-touch applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressure detection unit that receives optical signals and an actuator that deforms in response to pressure intensity, providing tactile feedback through vibrations, allowing users to feel the intensity of touch inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical waveguide-based touch panel using a pressure sensor is used, then both location and pressure can be measured with multi-touch function, but tactile feedback is not provided to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure sensor unit and the actuator unit into a single integrated touch panel structure. The actuator unit is positioned directly beneath the pressure sensor unit, allowing the same physical space to serve both pressure detection and tactile feedback functions simultaneously, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and user feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actuator unit receives control signals based on pressure sensor readings and generates tactile feedback in response to user input. This closed-loop system ensures that the tactile feedback is dynamically adjusted according to the detected pressure intensity, providing meaningful user feedback while maintaining accurate pressure measurement.
2Ease of operation
If a pressure sensor is added to provide tactile feedback, then user interaction is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator unit serves multiple functions: it provides tactile feedback to users, responds to pressure sensor inputs, and can be controlled through various input methods including touch and proximity sensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while enhancing user interaction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the actuator unit is positioned within the same layered architecture as the pressure sensor unit. The actuator is integrated into the stack of transparent layers and substrates, allowing it to occupy the same spatial envelope without requiring additional external housing or structural elements, thus minimizing the increase in device 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
Enables users to receive real-time tactile feedback, improving the accuracy of touch operations and providing a three-dimensional feel, making touch panels more intuitive and user-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide-based touch sensor technology has been developed to overcome the above-mentioned limitations. The optical waveguide-based touch sensor technology enables miniaturization and provides a multi-touch function.
Implementation Method 2
an actuator contacting with the pressure detection unit to cause a deformation of a material in proportion to the pressure intensity, wherein the actuator provides a tactile feedback through a vibration according to the pressure intensity.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pressure detection unit including a light-source unit configured to generate an optical signal, an optical waveguide configured to transfer the optical signal, a sensing unit contacting with the optical waveguide to receive the optical signal according to an intensity of pressure applied externally, and a light-receiving unit configured to receive the optical signal transferred through the optical waveguide from the sensing unit; and an actuator contacting with the pressure detection unit to cause a deformation of a material according to the pressure intensity, wherein the actuator provides a tactile feedback through a vibration according to the pressure intensity.