This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0044995, filed on Apr. 23, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field
Apparatuses and method consistent with exemplary embodiments to smart apparatuses, and more particularly, to smart apparatuses having touch input modules and energy generating devices, and methods of operating the smart apparatuses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, smart apparatuses, such as smart phones, tablet personal computers (PCs), navigation devices, etc., are being widely used. A smart apparatus refers to an apparatus that is capable of executing applications and performing data transmission via a wireless communication network. Generally, such a smart apparatus is configured to execute applications via a touch input device, such as a touch panel. Furthermore, message transmissions and game play via social network services (SNS) using such a smart apparatus have become very popular.
One or more exemplary embodiments provide smart apparatuses having touch input modules and energy generating devices, and methods of operating the smart apparatus.
According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a smart apparatus including a display device, in which an application is embedded; a touch input module which is disposed on the display device and is configured to execute the application in response to a touch input applied thereto; and a first energy generating device which is disposed on the display device and is configured to generate electric energy from a mechanical force externally applied thereto.
The first energy generating device may be flexible and may be configured to transmit light from the display device. The first energy generating device may include at least one of a piezoelectric generator and a triboelectric generator.
The first energy generating device may include first and second substrates which are disposed to be apart from each other; first and second electrodes which are disposed on the first and second substrates, respectively; and a plurality of piezoelectric nanowires disposed between the first and second electrodes.
The smart apparatus may further include a dielectric film disposed between the second electrode and the piezoelectric nanowires.
The first energy generating device may include first and second substrates which are arranged to be apart from each other; first and second electrodes which are disposed on the first and second substrates, respectively; and a piezoelectric thin-film layer disposed between the first and second electrodes.
The first energy generating device may include first and second substrates which are arranged to be apart from each other; first and second electrodes, which are disposed on the first and second substrates, respectively; a first triboelectric layer which is disposed on the first electrode and includes a first dielectric material or a metal; and a second triboelectric layer which is disposed on the second electrode and includes a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material.
The touch input module may be interposed between the first energy generating device and the display device or the first energy generating device may be interposed between the touch input module and the display device.
The smart apparatus may further include a second energy generating device which is configured to generate electric energy from a mechanical forces externally applied thereto, and is disposed on the display device.
According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of operating at least one smart apparatus, the method including a display device in which an application is embedded; a touch input module which is disposed on the display device and is configured to execute the application in response to a touch input applied thereto; and an energy generating device which is disposed on the display device, the method including generating electric energy by the energy generating device by applying an external mechanical force to the smart apparatus.
The method may further include executing the application embedded in the display device in response to the touch input applied the touch input module; and generating electric energy from the touch input by using the energy generating device.
The method may further include displaying an amount of electric energy generated by the energy generating device on the display device.
The method may further include synchronizing the amount of electric energy displayed on the display device to a game score displayed as the application is executed.
The method may further include executing applications by a plurality of smart apparatuses connected via a wireless communication network in response to touch inputs applied to touch input modules of the smart apparatuses; generating electric energy by energy generating devices of the smart apparatuses from the touch inputs; and displaying on the display devices of the smart apparatuses amounts of electric energy generated by the energy generating devices.
The method may further include synchronizing the amounts of electric energy displayed on the display devices to game scores displayed as the applications are executed.
The method may further include determining an energy harvesting rankings based on the amounts of electric energy displayed on the display devices.
The method may further include storing or transmitting electric energy generated by the energy generating devices.
According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a smart apparatus including a main body including a display device; and a cover case which is configured to cover the main body and includes an energy generating device configured to generate electric energy from a mechanical force externally applied thereto.
The cover case may further include an energy storage device which is configured to store electric energy generated by the energy generating device.
The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the present exemplary embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.
In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and thus their repeated description may be omitted.
Smart apparatuses according to exemplary embodiments refer to apparatuses capable of executing applications and performing data transmission via wireless communication networks. Examples of the smart apparatuses include a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a navigation device, etc. Furthermore, the smart apparatus may execute a message application and/or a game based on a social network service (SNS) via a wireless communication network.
Referring to
The touch input module 120 is a module disposed on top of the display device 110 and capable of executing applications designated by touches and may include a touch screen or a touch panel, for example. Furthermore, the energy generating device 130 generates electric energy by using mechanical force externally applied to the smart apparatus 100. In detail, when a mechanical force from a touch on the touch input module 120 or a mechanical force due to pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound applied from outside is applied to the energy generating device 130, the energy generating device 130 may generate electric energy by using such mechanical force. As described below, by a touch on the touch input module 120, a predetermined application may be executed and the energy generating device 130 may generate electric energy.
The energy generating device 130 is flexible and may be phototransmissive for transmitting light emitted by the display device 110. Furthermore, the energy generating device 130 may have a relatively small thickness equal to or below about 1 mm. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. The energy generating device 130 may include at least one of a piezoelectric generator and a triboelectric generator. The piezoelectric generator may generate electric energy when a piezoelectric material is deformed by a mechanical force due to a touch to the touch input module 120 or a mechanical force applied from outside, such as pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound. The triboelectric generator may generate electric energy when friction is formed between two layers formed of different materials by an external mechanical force or a distance between two layers is changed by an external mechanical force.
In the smart apparatus 100 having the structure as described above, the display device 110, each of the touch input module 120, and the energy generating device 130 may be flexible, thereby embodying the flexible smart apparatus 100. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the display device 110 may not have flexibility.
Referring to
The first electrode 133 is disposed on the top surface of the first substrate 131 and the second electrode 134 is disposed on the bottom surface of the second substrate 132. Here, the first and second electrodes 133 and 134 may include flexible and transparent conductive materials. For example, the first and second electrodes 133 and 134 may include graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), indium tin oxide (ITO), a metal, or a conductive polymer. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Here, for example, the metal may include Ag, Al, Cu, Au, etc.
The plurality of piezoelectric nanowires 135 are disposed on the top surface of the first electrode 133. Here, the piezoelectric nanowires 135 may be arranged to be perpendicular to or tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the first electrode 133. Although not shown, an insulation layer having a high insulation constant may be further provided on the top surface of the first electrode 133 for uniformly growing the piezoelectric nanowires 135. The second electrode 134 is disposed on the piezoelectric nanowires 135. The piezoelectric nanowires 135 may be deformed by a mechanical force from a touch on the touch input module 120 or a mechanical force due to pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound applied from outside. In this case, piezoelectric potentials may be formed at two opposite ends of the piezoelectric nanowires 135, and electric energy may be generated thereby. For example, the piezoelectric nanowires 135 may include ZnO, SnO, ZnSnO3, or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto.
Referring to
The piezoelectric thin-film layer 136 is disposed between the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134. The piezoelectric thin-film layer 136 may be deformed by a mechanical force from a touch on the touch input module 120 or a mechanical force due to pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound applied from outside. In this case, piezoelectric potentials may be formed at upper and lower portions of the piezoelectric thin-film layer 136, and electric energy may be generated thereby. The piezoelectric thin-film layer 136 may include an inorganic material or an organic material. For example, the piezoelectric thin-film layer 136 may include ZnO, SnO, ZnSnO3, SnO, BaTiO3, NaNbO3, PZT, or PVDF. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto.
Referring to
The first triboelectric layer 137 is disposed on the top surface of the first electrode 133. Here, the first triboelectric layer 137 may include a first dielectric material or a metal. The second triboelectric layer 138 is disposed on the bottom surface of the second electrode 134. The second triboelectric layer 138 may include a second dielectric material, which is different from the first dielectric material. In detail, the first triboelectric layer 137 may include a material that is easily charged to positive (+) polarity, e.g., polyformaldehyde, etylcellulose, polyamide, wool, silk, Al, paper, cotton, steel, wood, Ni, Cu, Ag, or PVA. The second triboelectric layer 138 may include a material that is easily charged to negative (−) polarity, e.g., silicon rubber, Teflon, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Kapton, polypropylene, polyethylene, or PVC. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the first triboelectric layer 137 may include a material that is easily charged to negative (−) polarity, whereas the second triboelectric layer 138 may include a material that is easily charged to positive (+) polarity. Furthermore, the first and the second triboelectric layers 137,138 may include materials having a relatively significant charging difference. Here, the first triboelectric layer 137 and the second triboelectric layer 138 are charged by contacting each other due to external pressure and then are arranged to be apart from each other by a predetermined distance d. The distance d between the first triboelectric layer 137 and the second triboelectric layer 138 may be changed or friction may be formed between the first triboelectric layer 137 and the second triboelectric layer 138 by a mechanical force due to a touch to the touch input module 120 or a mechanical force applied from outside, such as pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound. In this case, a difference of charge densities is formed between the first triboelectric layer 137 and the second triboelectric layer 138, and thus electric energy may be generated.
Referring to
The first triboelectric layer 137′ including a first dielectric material or a metal is disposed on the top surface of the first electrode 133. The second triboelectric layer 138′ including a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material is disposed on the bottom surface of the second electrode 134. Here, the first triboelectric layer 137′ may include nanostructures 137′a, such as nano-pyramids or nanowires. The nanostructures 137′a may react to subtle pressure, may increase an area of the interface between dielectric materials at which a friction is formed, and may control a difference of charge densities. Although
Referring to
The plurality of piezoelectric nanowires 135 are disposed on the top surface of the first electrode 133. Here, the piezoelectric nanowires 135 may be arranged to be perpendicular to or tilted at a predetermined angle tilted with respect to the first electrode 133. Although not shown, an insulation layer having a high insulation constant may be further disposed on the top surface of the first electrode 133 for uniformly growing the piezoelectric nanowires 135. The piezoelectric nanowires 135 may include a material at two opposite ends of which piezoelectric potentials are formed as the material is deformed, e.g., ZnO, SnO, ZnSnO3, or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the dielectric film 139 is arranged between the piezoelectric nanowires 135 and the second electrode 134. The dielectric film 139 insulates the first electrode 133 and the second electrode 134 from each other and generates electric energy based on a difference of charge densities that is formed along with a change of a distance between the dielectric film 139 and the first electrode 133. The dielectric film 139 may include an inorganic material or a polymer-based organic material. For example, the dielectric film 139 may include silicon rubber, Teflon, PDMS, PVD, Kapton, polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, polyformaldehyde, etylcellulose, polyamide, wool, silk, or PVA.
In the structure as described above, when an external mechanical force is applied to the energy generating device 130e, electric energy may be generated as the piezoelectric nanowires 135 are deformed, and electric energy may also be generated as a distance between the dielectric film 139 and the first electrode 133 is changed.
In the smart apparatus 100 shown in
When the touch input module 120 is touched, the smart apparatus 100 may execute applications (e.g., message applications, game applications, etc.) and generate electric energy from a pressure that the touch on the touch input module 120 applies to the energy generating device 130, simultaneously. Here, an amount of electric energy generated while an application is being launched may be displayed on the display device 110 in real time. Furthermore, an amount of electric energy generated by the energy generating device 130 may be synchronized with execution of an application. For example, when a user executes a game application by touching the touch input module 120, an amount of electric energy generated by the energy generating device 130 may be synchronized with a game score displayed as the game application is executed. In this case, an energy harvesting score, which indicates an amount of generated electric energy, and a game score may be displayed together on the display device 110.
The smart apparatus 100 may transmit data via a wireless communication network. Therefore, the plurality of smart apparatuses 100 may be used to execute SNS applications (e.g., SNS message applications, SNS game applications, etc.) using a wireless communication network. Here, when users of the smart apparatuses 100 touch the touch input modules 120 and execute an SNS application, electric energies are generated from the energy generating devices 130, and the electric energy may be charged to batteries of the smart apparatuses 100 or stored in separate storage devices. Furthermore, amounts of electric energies generated by the energy generating devices 130 may be synchronized with execution of an application. For example, when the plurality of users execute an SNS game application by using the smart apparatuses 100, amounts of electric energies generated by the energy generating devices 130 may be synchronized with game scores. In other words, when the users execute an SNS game application via a wireless communication network, game scores acquired by playing the SNS game application and energy harvesting scores, which indicate amounts of electric energies generated as the touch input modules 120 are touched, may be displayed together. Therefore, an energy harvesting rankings indicating which of the users harvested the largest amount of energy may be determined based on the energy harvesting scores displayed on the smart apparatuses 100. Electric energies generated by the smart apparatuses 100 as described above may be transmitted via a wireless communication network.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The first energy generating device 330 is disposed on the top surface of the touch input module 320 and generates electric energy by using a mechanical force externally applied to the smart apparatus 300. In detail, when a mechanical force from a touch on the touch input module 320 or a mechanical force due to pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound applied from outside is applied to the first energy generating device 330, the first energy generating device 330 may generate electric energy by using such mechanical forces. By a touch on the touch input module 320, a predetermined application may be executed and the first energy generating device 330 may generate electric energy. The first energy generating device 330 may be flexible and transmissive for transmitting light emitted by the display device 310. The first energy generating device 330 may include at least one of a piezoelectric generator and a triboelectric generator. The first energy generating device 330 is identical to the energy generating device 130 shown in
The second energy generating device 340 is disposed on the bottom surface of the display device 310 and generates electric energy by using a mechanical force applied to the smart apparatus 300. In detail, when a mechanical force due to pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound applied from outside is applied to the second energy generating device 340, the second energy generating device 340 may generate electric energy by using such mechanical forces. Since the second energy generating device 340 is disposed on the bottom surface of the display device 310, it is not necessary for the second energy generating device 340 to be transparent, unlike the first energy generating device 330.
Operations of the smart apparatus 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment are identical to those of the smart apparatus 100 shown in
Referring to
The cover case 720 may include a flip type case which may cover or expose a display screen of the display device. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the cover case 720 includes an energy generating device 730, which generates electric energy. The energy generating device 730 may generate electric energy by using mechanical forces externally applied to the smart apparatus 700. In detail, when a mechanical force due to pressure, deformation, distortion, bending, vibration, or sound applied from outside is applied to the smart apparatus 700, the energy generating device 730 may generate electric energy by using the mechanical force. The energy generating device 730 is identical to the energy generating device 130 as shown in
The cover case 720 may further include an energy storage device 731 which stores electric energy generated by the energy generating device 730.
According to the present exemplary embodiment, when a mechanical force is applied to the smart apparatus 700 by a user, the energy generating device 730 included in the cover case 720 may generate electric energy by using the mechanical force. The generated electric energy may be charged to a battery of the main body 710 or may be stored in the energy storage device 731. Furthermore, if the main body 710 of the smart apparatus 700 includes the smart apparatus 100, 200, or 300 shown in
As described above, according to the one or more of the above embodiments, applications may be executed, and, at the same time, electric energy may be generated by a mechanical force applied to an energy generating device, by touching the touch input module. Furthermore, if a plurality of users execute an SNS game application, amounts of electric energies generated by smart apparatuses may be synchronized with game scores. Therefore, an energy harvesting rankings indicating a user who harvested the largest amount of energy may be determined based on energy harvesting scores displayed on smart apparatuses. Furthermore, a smart apparatus may include a cover case including an energy generating device, and thus electric energy may be generated by using mechanical forces applied to the cover case.
It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2013-0044995 | Apr 2013 | KR | national |