Wearable Touch via Optical Projection and Light Energy Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable touch devices are limited by their need for key or touch screen interaction, which is inconvenient and does not meet user demands for small volume and accurate touch capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A wearable touch device comprising a closed ring-shaped intelligent device with a pattern emitting unit, image acquisition unit, and processing unit that projects a pattern onto a touch surface, allowing touch operations without direct contact, using image and light energy information to determine accurate touch positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If key control manner with touch screens is used, then touch functionality is achieved, but device volume increases and user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch convenienceVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch screen system with an optical projection and detection system. A projection unit projects a virtual keyboard onto a touch surface, and a detection unit detects touch positions by monitoring light energy changes. This substitution eliminates the need for physical touch screens, significantly reducing device volume while maintaining touch functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual keyboard as an intermediary between the user and the device. The virtual keyboard is projected onto a touch surface (such as a table or desk), serving as a mediator that enables touch input without requiring a built-in physical keyboard or touch screen in the wearable device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If touch screens are used, then touch input is enabled, but device complexity and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch input capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical touch screen structure with a simpler optical system consisting of a projection unit and a detection unit. The projection unit displays virtual keys, and the detection unit uses light energy detection to identify touch positions, thereby achieving touch input capability with reduced structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit is designed to detect touch positions on various external surfaces (tables, desks, other devices), making the system universally applicable across different contexts and surfaces, thereby enhancing adaptability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If direct contact with keys or touch screens is required, then input accuracy is achieved, but user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch position accuracyVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual keyboard projected onto an external surface as an intermediary. This allows users to interact with the device by touching external surfaces rather than directly contacting the device itself, improving user experience while maintaining touch position accuracy through the detection unit's light energy monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 touch operations without keys or touch screens, providing a small, convenient, and accurate touch experience with a wide range of applications.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring an image formed by projecting the scanning pattern on the touch surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

monitoring current light energy information of the formed image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight energy detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3139256B1Wearable touch apparatus and wearable touch method
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3139256B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3139256B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a wearable touch device and a wearable touch method. The wearable touch device comprises a carrier, a pattern emitting unit, an image acquisition unit, an image monitoring unit and a processing unit. The carrier is wearable, the pattern emitting unit is used for emitting a scanning pattern to a touch surface capable of being touched by a touch end, the image acquisition unit is used for acquiring an image formed by projecting the scanning pattern on the touch surface and sending image information of the acquired image to the processing unit, the image monitoring unit is used for monitoring current light energy of the scanning pattern in regions of the touch surface and sending current light energy information to the processing unit, and the processing unit is used for processing the image information of the acquired image and the current light energy information to determine a touch position of the touch end on the touch surface and generate corresponding command information.