INTERACTIVE DISPLAY SURFACES

Abstract

Touch responsive displays that may be integrated into a wide variety of non-transparent, non-glass surfaces to provide on-demand human computer interfaces that blend with the environment, i.e., remain invisible unless activated, effectively adding digital user interfaces (UI) to non-technology products and surfaces. The interactive display devices are frameless assemblies of a sensor layer, a light layer, and a support layer housing a microcontroller, wherein the device is configured to be positioned beneath a non-transparent surface layer with the sensor layer arranged below the surface layer.

Description

Claims

1. An interactive display device comprising: a touch sensor layer;a light layer comprising a plurality of light elements configured to render digital information; anda substantially transparent insulation layer arranged between the touch sensor and light layers, wherein the insulation layer is a solid layer having no apertures;wherein the touch sensor layer comprises a conductive material arranged on a top surface of the insulation layer,wherein the device is configured to be positioned directly beneath a non-transparent surface layer with the touch sensor layer proximate to a bottom surface of the non-transparent surface layer, andwherein the light layer is not visible beneath the non-transparent surface layer when the light layer is inactive and is visible beneath the non-transparent surface layer when the light layer is active.

2. The interactive display device of claim 1, comprising: a microcontroller having a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions, a memory storing the computer-executable instructions, and a wireless transceiver circuit in communication with the processor,wherein the processor is configured to receive signals related to a touch position on the top surface of the interactive display device and generate responsive output signals corresponding to digital information to be rendered on the light layer.

3. The interactive display device of claim 2, wherein the wireless transceiver circuit is for receiving and transmitting wireless communication signals via a wireless network, wherein the wireless communication signals comprise the digital information to be rendered on the light layer.

4. The interactive display device of claim 2, comprising a support layer arranged beneath the light layer and forming a bottom surface of the device, the support layer providing rigidity to the device and supporting the microcontroller thereon.

5. The interactive display device of claim 1, comprising: a frameless outer perimeter,wherein the plurality of light elements extend to the outer perimeter.

6. The interactive display device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light elements are arranged in a grid and are selected from the group consisting of red-green-blue light emitting diode (RGB LED), red-green-blue-white light emitting diode (RGBW LED), OLED, LCD, fiber optic lighting, laser projection, digital light processing (DLP) display or plasma display.

7. The interactive display device of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of light elements is independently powered and controlled.

8. The interactive display device of claim 1, further comprising: a non-transparent surface layer, wherein the interactive display device is arranged directly beneath the non-transparent surface layer with the touch sensor layer proximate to a bottom surface of the non-transparent surface layer.

9. The interactive display device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor layer comprises: a capacitive touch sensor configured to generate an input signal related to a touch position on the touch sensor layer; andan electronic input-output control system configured to receive the input signal and generate a responsive output signal receivable by a processor.

10. The interactive display device of claim 9, wherein the capacitive touch sensor layer comprises: a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the conductive material and spaced apart at predetermined intervals,wherein the conductive material comprises at least one of metal nanowires or traces arranged in a grid.

11. The interactive display device of claim 1, wherein the insulation layer comprise a lens positioned above each of the plurality of light elements, wherein the lenses are formed as recesses or protrusions in the insulation layer and focus or diffuse light from the light elements.

12. The interactive display device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light elements are arranged in a grid having a pitch of 1 mm to 5 mm, and wherein a thickness of the insulation layer is equal to or greater than 0.5x the pitch of the grid.

13. A piece of furniture having the interactive display device of claim 1 embedded on a surface thereof, wherein the sensor layer is arranged below and bonded to a non-transparent surface veneer of the piece of furniture such that the device blends with the surface when the light layer is inactive.

14. A wall, floor, or door having the interactive display device of claim 1 embedded therein, wherein the sensor layer is arranged below and bonded to a non-transparent surface constituting at least a portion of the wall, floor, or door such that the device blends with the surface when the light layer is inactive.

15. A door or wall having the interactive display device of claim 1 embedded therein, wherein the sensor layer is arranged below and bonded to a non-transparent surface constituting at least a portion of the wall or door such that the device blends with the surface when the light layer is inactive, and wherein the interactive display device functions as a keypad, security panel, home control panel, interactive whiteboard, or digital art display.

16. An interior car panel having the interactive display device of claim 1 embedded therein, wherein the sensor layer is arranged below and bonded to a non-transparent surface constituting at least a portion of the panel such that the device blends with the surface when the light layer is inactive, and wherein the interactive display device provides control information for the car and control of cabin functionality.

17. A table having the interactive display device of claim 1 embedded therein, wherein the sensor layer is arranged below and bonded to a non-transparent surface constituting at least a portion of the table such that the device blends with the surface when the light layer is inactive, and wherein the interactive display device functions to provide one or more of a learning environment, a smart home hub, a gaming environment, a digital art display, an information display, and a communication device.

18. A method for providing digital information on a non-transparent surface, the method comprising: positioning the touch sensor layer of the interactive display device of claim 1 beneath the non-transparent surface with the touch sensor layer proximate to a bottom surface of the non-transparent surface;connecting the interactive display device to a microcontroller having a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions, and a memory storing the computer-executable instructions; andproviding the digital information on the non-transparent surface in response to a touch contact on the non-transparent surface at any position over the touch sensor layer of the interactive display device, wherein the processor of the microcontroller is configured to receive signals related to the position and generate responsive output signals corresponding to the digital information to be rendered on the light layer.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising: providing a wireless transceiver circuit in communication with the microcontroller, wherein the wireless transceiver circuit is configured to receive and transmit wireless communication signals via a wireless network, wherein the wireless communication signals comprise the digital information to be rendered on the light layer.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-transparent surface is part of a piece of furniture, an appliance, a wall, a floor, a door, a motor vehicle, a transit vehicle, or a decorative element.