Touch-Controlled Liquid Lens for Lightweight Screen Magnification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnifying devices are bulky, heavy, and lack the ability to intuitively adjust focal length based on user input, limiting their usability in modern electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic lens system with a liquid lens area that responds to electric signals generated by touch operations on a transparent touch screen, allowing for adjustable focal length and magnification through electrowetting principles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a conventional convex optical lens is used for magnification, then magnifying capability is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical convex lens system with an electronic liquid lens system. The liquid lens uses electrowetting or dielectrophoresis mechanisms controlled by electric signals to achieve magnification, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical lens structures while enabling intuitive touch-based operation for focal length adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state from solid mechanical lenses to liquid lenses with variable properties. By applying electric signals, the focal length and magnification parameters of the liquid lens can be dynamically adjusted, providing both weight reduction and intuitive operability through touch screen control
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed focal length lens is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different magnification needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed focal length lens into a dynamic liquid lens system. The liquid lens can continuously adjust its focal length in response to electric signals, enabling versatile magnification control while the overall system complexity is managed through integration with existing touch screen controls
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid lens system serves multiple functions: it provides magnification, enables focal length adjustment, and interfaces with the touch screen for user control. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability while leveraging existing device components to minimize additional complexity
3Ease of operation
If a liquid lens with adjustable focal length is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a transparent touch screen as a thin film interface that allows touch operations to be performed while maintaining visual transparency. This enables users to control the liquid lens focal length through touch gestures without significant obstruction of the viewed image, achieving ease of operation with minimal transparency compromise
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 lightweight, transparent, and intuitive magnifying capability in electronic devices, enabling users to easily zoom in on physical objects using common touch gestures.
Implementation Method 1
Another mechanism is electrowetting, wherein the wettability of a surface, for a specific liquid, depends on an applied voltage, whereby the contact angle at the surface is controlled and, thus, the size and shape of liquid-liquid interface
Implementation Method 2
A known mechanism for controlling the liquid lens by electric signals is dielectrophoresis, wherein the two liquids have different permittivity and therefore experience different forces in an electric field, which can be used to control the size and shape of the liquid-liquid interface
Implementation Method 3
the control is configured to obtain a touch operation on a touch screen
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to an electronic lens including a control and a liquid lens area. The liquid lens area includes a liquid lens layer configured to provide a lens portion in response to an electric signal applied to the liquid lens area. The control is configured to obtain a touch operation on a touch screen and to apply, in response to the obtained touch operation, an electric signal to the liquid lens area for providing the lens portion.