Vehicle Remote Touchpad Using Optical 3D Coordinate Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touchpad devices are inconvenient and expensive for vehicle applications, particularly in designs requiring three-dimensional interaction, and they struggle with manufacturing costs due to complex components.
Innovation Solution
A remote touchpad device with a circuit board featuring luminous elements and a light-receiving element that calculates three-dimensional coordinates, allowing for 2D and 3D recognition, and is manufactured using simple components to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional touchpad devices are used in vehicle applications, then basic touch functionality is provided, but the devices are expensive and inconvenient for driving use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical touchpad structures (resistance film type, capacitance type) with an optical detection system using luminous elements and light-receiving elements. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while enabling touch detection through light reflection principles, making the device simpler and more suitable for vehicle applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light-receiving element as an intermediary between the luminous element and the control system. This intermediary converts physical touch interactions into optical signals that can be processed to determine touch position, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for touch detection without complex hardware
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional touchpad devices are used, then basic functionality is achieved, but manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive luminous elements (such as LEDs) and light-receiving elements that can be easily manufactured and replaced. These components use standard electronic parts rather than specialized expensive touchpad materials, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrical resistance or capacitance to optical properties (light emission and light reception). This parameter change allows the use of simpler, cheaper components while achieving reliable touch detection through optical signal variations caused by finger contact
3Ease of manufacture
If simple components are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but three-dimensional interaction capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends traditional 2D touchpad functionality to 3D interaction by using the intensity and pattern of reflected light to determine not only X-Y position but also Z-axis information (such as finger pressure or distance). This dimensional extension enables three-dimensional interaction capability while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of the optical component structure
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 2D and 3D recognition for vehicle user interfaces, providing cost-effective and practical three-dimensional interaction while maintaining a high recognition rate of coordinate values.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of luminous elements installed on a circuit board at predetermined intervals along the circumference of a circle to irradiate light
Implementation Method 2
at least one light-receiving element mounted on the circuit board to receive the light irradiated from the plurality of luminous elements
Implementation Method 3
a pad provided on an upper part of the circuit board to make the light irradiated from the plurality of luminous elements suitably reflected by an approaching or contact object and incident to the light-receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention features a remote touchpad device for a vehicle, which preferably comprises a circuit board having luminous elements installed at predetermined intervals along the circumference of a circle to irradiate light and at least one light-receiving element to receive the light the luminous elements, a pad provided on an upper part of the circuit board to make the light from the luminous elements reflected by an approaching or contact object and incident to the light-receiving element, a controller controlling a user interface by calculating the position of the object with 3D coordinates based on the amount of light incident to the light-receiving element, and a housing forming the exterior of the circuit board, the pad, and the controller. The invention also features a method of controlling the remote touchpad device.