Contactless User Interface Using Organic Semiconductor Shadow Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen interfaces face issues such as rapid dirt accumulation, hygiene concerns, and operational degradation with gloves or in cold weather, and they require complex production processes and energy-consuming infrared radiation for proximity sensing, while also being difficult to produce on flexible or large supports.
Innovation Solution
A contactless user interface device using a matrix of photon sensors that detects shadow variations to infer the position and distance of an actuation member without an optical system, operating on various supports like plastic, paper, or fabric, and produced at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure, utilizing organic conductive and semiconductive materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If infrared transmitters and receivers are used for proximity sensing, then contactless operation is enabled, but energy consumption increases due to continuous infrared radiation emission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the active infrared radiation system with a passive optical detection system. Instead of emitting infrared radiation to detect proximity, the invention uses photodetectors to detect shadow variations caused by ambient light being blocked by the user's hand or finger. This substitution eliminates continuous energy consumption for radiation emission while maintaining contactless operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes ambient light sources already present in the environment rather than requiring its own active illumination system. The photodetectors detect variations in ambient light caused by shadowing effects, allowing the interface to serve itself using environmental resources instead of consuming additional energy for active sensing.
2Measurement precision
If traditional inorganic semiconductor materials are used for photodetector production, then detection precision is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to vacuum deposition and high-temperature annealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameters from inorganic semiconductors to organic semiconductors. This material substitution allows the photodetectors to be manufactured using solution-based printing techniques at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for complex vacuum deposition equipment and high-temperature annealing processes while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex vacuum deposition manufacturing processes with simple printing techniques. Organic semiconductor materials can be deposited from solution using conventional printing methods, substituting the sophisticated physical vapor deposition equipment and high-temperature thermal processing with low-cost, low-complexity manufacturing approaches.
3Reliability
If vacuum deposition and high-temperature annealing are used for organic semiconductor component production, then component performance is improved, but production becomes limited to strong supports and expensive equipment, reducing adaptability to flexible and large supports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters from high-temperature vacuum deposition to low-temperature atmospheric pressure printing. This allows the organic semiconductor components to be manufactured on flexible, disposable, and large-area supports such as plastic, paper, cardboard, and fabric, which cannot withstand vacuum deposition or high temperatures, thereby dramatically expanding support compatibility.
4Ease of operation
If touch surfaces are used for user interaction, then ease of operation is achieved, but hygiene problems and dirt accumulation occur, especially in medical and public environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact interaction with optical shadow detection. Instead of requiring the user to physically touch the surface, the system detects the shadow cast by the user's hand or finger on the photodetector array, enabling contactless operation that eliminates hygiene contamination and dirt accumulation issues associated with touch surfaces.
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
The device allows for efficient, radiation-free operation, minimizes energy consumption, and can be easily produced on diverse substrates, enabling interactive and display functions without the need for complex equipment or radiation emission.
Implementation Method 1
detect variations in the shadow of an actuation member on a matrix of photon sensors and to deduce therefrom information representative of a variation in position of the actuating member
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tactile or contactless user interface device (50), comprising organic semiconductor components (52) made by depositing organic conducting and semiconducting material in liquid form on a dielectric support (54).