Projection Device Touch Interface Using Depth Light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Touch interfaces on non-interactive surfaces, such as walls or movie screens, lack the ability to detect resistive and capacitive touches, which are inherent in touch screens, limiting their functionality in projection environments.
Innovation Solution
A touch interface projection system that uses a projection device with both color and depth light sources to determine the depth of projected pixels, allowing for the detection of touches on arbitrary surfaces by calculating depth light travel time and using this information to identify the location and presence of pointers on the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a target projection surface is used for displaying projected images, then the image can be viewed on arbitrary surfaces, but the surface cannot detect resistive and capacitive touches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary depth detection system that mediates between the projection surface and the touch interaction. Depth lights project invisible patterns onto the surface, and depth receivers capture the reflected light to calculate depth information, enabling touch detection without modifying the projection surface itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical resistive and capacitive touch detection systems with an optical depth-based detection system. Instead of using physical touch sensors embedded in the surface, the system uses projected depth lights and receivers to detect touch events through depth changes in the reflected light
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If depth detection is added to enable touch detection on projection surfaces, then touch capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the depth detection functionality with the existing projection system by integrating depth lights and depth receivers into the projection device. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity compared to adding a separate touch detection system
Solution Approach 2:
The projection device is designed to serve multiple functions: displaying visual content through color lights and detecting touch events through depth lights. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated touch detection hardware, reducing system complexity
3Measurement precision
If real-time touch detection is implemented with single-pixel resolution, then precision is improved, but processing requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the projection surface into discrete pixel regions, with each pixel having associated depth information. This segmentation allows for precise touch location identification at the pixel level while simplifying the processing by treating each pixel as an independent detection unit
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 real-time detection of touches with single-pixel resolution on non-interactive surfaces, allowing for interactive experiences similar to touch screens, even on non-native touch surfaces like walls or movie screens.
Implementation Method 1
determine a group of depths between the projection device and one or more actual projection surfaces of the projected pixels
Implementation Method 2
projecting each of a group of pixels in a frame of an image using the visible optical radiation and the invisible optical radiation
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a projection device includes a first light source to provide visible optical radiation. Additionally, the projection device includes a second light source to provide invisible optical radiation. Further, the projection device includes a projection mechanism. Also, the projection device includes a depth receiver. The projection device further includes a processor to cause the projection mechanism to project each of a group of pixels in a frame of an image using optical radiation provided by both the first light source and the second light source.