Touch Gesture Control System Using Light Curtain and Infrared Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels struggle with high manufacturing costs and limited functionality, particularly in large-sized displays, as they often require additional gesture control modules, which increase complexity and cost, and infrared matrix touch panels fail to meet high resolution requirements due to size limitations and high costs of infrared light emitting modules.
Innovation Solution
A touch and gesture control system incorporating a light curtain generating module, an invisible light lighting module, and an image capturing module, where the control unit switches between touch and gesture control modes by synchronizing the light curtain generation and invisible light projection with image capture, allowing for simultaneous touch and gesture control functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an additional gesture control module is added to provide gesture control function, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical image sensing module is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both touch inputs (when light curtain is active) and gesture movements (when invisible light is active). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate gesture control hardware, resolving the contradiction between enhanced adaptability and increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the touch control and gesture control functions into a single integrated system using one optical image sensing module. The light curtain generating module and invisible light lighting module are merged into a unified control architecture, reducing system complexity while maintaining both functionalities
2Reliability
If infrared light emitting modules are used in infrared matrix touch panels, then the touch sensing capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive infrared light emitting modules with more cost-effective visible light sources (LEDs or laser diodes) combined with optical filters. The system uses software-controlled light curtains and timing mechanisms rather than expensive dedicated infrared hardware, achieving comparable reliability at lower manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the light source by using visible light with specific wavelengths and controlling it through timed activation (light curtain mode vs. invisible light mode). This parameter-based approach replaces the need for expensive infrared-specific components, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining touch sensing capability
3Area of stationary object
If the screen size is increased for large-sized display apparatuses, then the display area is improved, but the manufacturing yield rate decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical touch sensing layers (required in large screens) with a projected light curtain system and optical image detection. This substitution allows large display areas to be manufactured with standard processes, improving yield rate while maintaining large screen real estate
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves from a planar touch film approach to a volumetric light field approach using projected light curtains. This dimensional shift allows the touch sensing capability to extend across large display areas without requiring proportionally larger and more complex manufacturing processes
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 efficient execution of both touch and gesture control modes, reducing the likelihood of misjudging user inputs by timing the gesture signal identification based on previous touch commands, thus enhancing user interaction with large-sized displays without the need for additional costly modules.
Implementation Method 1
the light curtain generating module is disposed at a side of a display area configured to generate a light curtain parallel to the display area to form a touch zone
Implementation Method 2
The invisible light lighting module is configured to provide invisible light, wherein the invisible light is projected toward the display area to form a gesture control zone
Implementation Method 3
The image capturing module is configured to form a sensing region, wherein the sensing region at least covers the touch zone and the gesture control zone
Data Source
AI summary
A touch and gesture control system including a light curtain module, an invisible light lighting module, an image capturing module and a control unit is provided. The light curtain module is configured to form a touch zone. The invisible light lighting module is configured to form a gesture control zone. The touch zone and the gesture control zone are at least partially overlapped. The control unit is electrically connected to the light curtain module, the image capturing module and the invisible light lighting module. The control unit turns on the light curtain module and controls the image capturing module to capture a first set of images when executing a touch mode, and turns on the invisible light lighting module and controls the image capturing module to capture a second set of images when executing a gesture control mode. A touch and gesture control method is also provided.