Retractable Touchscreen Adapter for Whiteboards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional chalkboards and whiteboards are not easily integrated with electronic computer and information systems, lacking the ability to capture information electronically and requiring costly and complex touch-sensitive technologies for large surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A retractable emitter strip and detector strip system with electrical circuitry and a power source, allowing for flexible adaptation to various-sized surfaces and enabling wireless transmission of object location information, which can be easily transported and set up on different surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touchscreen or touchpad is overlaid across an entire electronic display surface, then touch-sensitive capability is achieved, but the cost increases proportionally with the increasing surface area of the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the touch-sensitive surface into discrete sensor points distributed across the display area. Instead of using a continuous touchscreen overlay, individual sensor elements are placed at specific locations to detect touch events, significantly reducing the total sensor area and associated cost while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical emitters and detectors that can be temporarily positioned on the display surface using removable adhesive mounts. This allows the touch sensing system to be replicated or repositioned without permanent modification to the display hardware, reducing manufacturing complexity and enabling flexible deployment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical emitters and detectors are permanently attached to the electronic surface, then touch detection capability is achieved, but the attachment process is complex, time-consuming, and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs removable adhesive mounts that allow the optical emitters and detectors to be temporarily attached and detached from the display surface. This dynamic attachment system replaces permanent bonding methods, enabling easy installation and removal without complex manufacturing processes while maintaining reliable optical contact during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the optical sensing components from permanent integration with the display hardware. By using removable adhesive mounts, the emitters and detectors can be separated from the display surface when not in use, simplifying the manufacturing process and enabling flexible deployment without permanent modifications to the display structure.
3Area of stationary object
If traditional chalkboards and whiteboards are used, then writing surface availability is achieved, but integration with electronic computer and information systems is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interface that combines traditional writing surface functionality with electronic touch sensing capability. By overlaying optical emitters and detectors on conventional displays or writing surfaces, the system enables both traditional viewing/writing modes and electronic touch interaction, bridging the gap between analog and digital systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical emitters and detectors as intermediary elements between the traditional display surface and electronic processing systems. These intermediaries capture touch input information and convert it into electronic signals that can be processed by computers, enabling integration without requiring complete replacement of the original writing surface.
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 a cost-effective and adaptable solution for adding touch-sensitive capabilities to electronic displays and writing surfaces, allowing for efficient electronic capture of information without the need for permanent installations, enhancing usability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The retractable emitter strip includes electro-optical emitters for generating optical energy and directing the optical energy across the planar surface
Implementation Method 2
The retractable detector strip includes optical detectors for receiving other optical energy directed across the planar surface from anotherinstance of the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining a location of an object on a planar surface is provided. The apparatus includes a retractable emitter strip, a retractable detector strip, and electrical circuitry. The retractable emitter strip is extendable from the apparatus and includes electro-optical emitters for generating optical energy and directing the optical energy across a planar surface. The retractable detector strip is extendable from the apparatus and includes optical detectors for receiving other optical energy directed across the planar surface from another instance of the apparatus. The retractable emitter strip and the retractable detector strip extend in different directions from the apparatus. The electrical circuitry drives the electro-optical emitters to produce the optical energy according to a pre-defined pattern and processes electrical signals received from the optical detectors to generate object location information. The electrical circuitry also wirelessly transmits the object location information to a system controller.