Radar Virtual Touch for Large Displays Without Sensor Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic displays lack scalable and portable touch screen interaction capabilities, with capacitive and resistive sensors being costly and non-portable, and not suitable for large screen sizes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing radar-based virtual touch interaction using a processor and transceiver to detect objects within a region-of-interest, tracking their state for interaction with a display area, utilizing radar's range and angle resolution for precise interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If capacitive or resistive sensors are attached to the screen to provide touch interaction, then touch screen interaction capability is achieved, but the device becomes expensive, non-scalable for large screens, and non-portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical touch sensors (capacitive or resistive) with a radar-based electromagnetic sensing system. The radar transceiver emits electromagnetic signals that reflect off objects in proximity to the display, allowing touch interaction without direct contact with the screen surface. This substitution eliminates the need for attached sensor layers, reducing cost and improving portability while maintaining interaction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar transceiver serves multiple functions: it detects objects in the field of view, determines their spatial parameters (range, azimuth, elevation angles), identifies regions of interest, and enables virtual touch interaction. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate components, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional touch sensors are used for large screen sizes, then touch interaction is provided, but the cost increases significantly and portability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
For large screens, the patent uses radar-based electromagnetic sensing instead of extensive sensor arrays. The radar system's field of view naturally covers large areas, and the signal processing independently determines spatial parameters across the entire coverage area. This approach scales to large screen sizes without proportionally increasing cost or complexity, as the radar transceiver remains a compact, portable component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing display devices are enhanced with touch capabilities using add-on sensors, then touch interaction is achieved, but the solution is not portable and cannot be easily attached to existing displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for physical attachment of sensor layers to existing displays with a radar-based system that detects objects in the display's field of view. The radar transceiver can be positioned separately and communicates with the display device, enabling touch interaction on existing displays without modifying their physical structure. This maintains portability and ease of attachment while achieving compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar transceiver acts as an intermediary between the user and the display device. It detects objects and their spatial parameters, then communicates this information to the display device to enable virtual touch interaction. This intermediary approach allows existing displays to gain touch capabilities without direct integration of sensor components, preserving their original structure and improving portability.
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
Provides cost-effective, scalable, and portable virtual touch interaction for various display sizes, including large screens and passive surfaces, enhancing user interface in smart homes and VR applications.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver that is configured to transmit and receive radar signals in a first field of view (FoV)
Data Source
AI summary
A method, implemented by a processor coupled to a transceiver that transceives radar signals in a field of view (FoV), includes obtaining radar data based on the radar signals. The method includes, for each respective object among a set of objects detected: determining a set of parameters associated with the respective object, based on the radar signals; and selecting the respective object as a target that is within a region-of-interest (ROI), if the set of parameters satisfy a definition of the ROI. The set of parameters includes a normal angle of the respective object. The definition of the ROI is satisfied if the normal angle of the respective object is within a normal-angle threshold interval. The method includes tracking a state of the target with respect to the ROI to detect virtual interactions with a display area that is associated with an external display device and that overlaps the FoV.