US20170220201A1 - Led/oled array approach to integrated display, focusing lensless light-field camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors - Google Patents
Led/oled array approach to integrated display, focusing lensless light-field camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170220201A1 US20170220201A1 US15/488,295 US201715488295A US2017220201A1 US 20170220201 A1 US20170220201 A1 US 20170220201A1 US 201715488295 A US201715488295 A US 201715488295A US 2017220201 A1 US2017220201 A1 US 2017220201A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- light
- led
- user interface
- array
- display
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
- G06F3/0421—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
- G06F3/0425—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/0412—Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
- G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
- G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
- G09G3/22—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources
- G09G3/30—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources using electroluminescent panels
- G09G3/32—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources using electroluminescent panels semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
- G09G3/3208—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources using electroluminescent panels semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] organic, e.g. using organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
- G09G3/3216—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources using electroluminescent panels semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] organic, e.g. using organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] using a passive matrix
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
- G06F2203/041—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/041 - G06F3/045
- G06F2203/04108—Touchless 2D- digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface without distance measurement in the Z direction
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
- G09G2300/00—Aspects of the constitution of display devices
- G09G2300/02—Composition of display devices
- G09G2300/023—Display panel composed of stacked panels
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
- G09G2300/00—Aspects of the constitution of display devices
- G09G2300/04—Structural and physical details of display devices
- G09G2300/0439—Pixel structures
- G09G2300/0452—Details of colour pixel setup, e.g. pixel composed of a red, a blue and two green components
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
- G09G2354/00—Aspects of interface with display user
Definitions
- FIG. 1 depicts a visual classification representation showing inorganic-LEDs and Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) as mutually-exclusive types of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
- Color inorganic-LED array displays are currently employed in “LED TV” products and road-side and arena color-image LED advertising signs.
- Color OLED array displays have begun to appear in cellphones, smartphones, and Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs”) manufactured by Samsung, Nokia, LG, HTC, Phillips, Sony and others. Color OLED array displays are of particular interest, in general and as pertaining to the present invention, because:
- Photodiodes are often viewed as the simplest and most primitive of these, and typically comprise a PIN (P-type/Intrinstic/N-type) junction rather than the more abrupt PIN (P-type/N-type) junction of conventional signal and rectifying diodes.
- PIN P-type/Intrinstic/N-type
- LEDs which are diodes that have been structured and doped specific types of optimized light emission, can also behave as (at least low-to moderate performance) photodiodes.
- Forrest M. Mims has often been credited as calling attention to the fact that that a conventional LED can be used as a photovoltaic light detector as well as a light emitter (Mims III, Forrest M. “Sun Photometer with Light-emitting diodes as spectrally selective detectors” Applied Optics , Vol. 31, No. 33, Nov. 20, 1992), and as a photodetector LEDs exhibit spectral selectivity associated with the LED's emission wavelength.
- inorganic-LEDs organic LEDs (“OLEDs”)
- organic field effect transistors and other related devices exhibit a range of readily measurable photo-responsive electrical properties, such as photocurrents and related photovoltages and accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED.
- the relation between the spectral detection band and the spectral emission bands of each of a plurality of colors and types of color inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, and related devices can be used to create a color light-field sensor from, for example, a color inorganic-LED, OLED, and related device array display.
- Such arrangements have been described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- the present invention expands further upon this.
- each LED in an array of LEDs can be alternately used as a photodetector or as a light emitter. At any one time, each individual LED would be in one of three states:
- each LED may be coordinated in a wide variety of ways to afford various multiplexing, signal distribution, and signal gathering schemes as may be advantageous.
- array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related optoelectronic devices is configured to perform functions of two or more of:
- the integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices.
- the integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- a system for implementing a display which also serves as one or more of a tactile user interface touchscreen, light-field sensor, proximate hand gesture sensor, and lensless imaging camera.
- an OLED array can be used for light sensing as well as light emission functions.
- a single OLED array is used as the only optoelectronic user interface element in the system.
- two OLED arrays are used, each performing and/or optimized from different functions.
- an LCD and an OLED array are used in various configurations. The resulting arrangements allow for sharing of both optoelectric devices as well as associated electronics and computational processors, and are accordingly advantageous for use in handheld devices such as cellphone, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related optoelectronic devices is configured to perform functions of a display, a camera, and a hand-operated user interface sensor.
- an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be used to implement a tactile user interface.
- an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate image user interface.
- an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface sensor.
- an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate image user interface sensor.
- an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface (touch screen), lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, tactile user interface (touch screen), lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- a system for implementing the function of a visual display, light-field sensor , and a user interface for operated by a user hand comprising:
- FIG. 1 depicts a visual classification representation showing inorganic-LEDs and Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) as mutually-exclusive types of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
- OLEDs Organic Light Emitting Diodes
- FIG. 2 depicts a representation of the spread of electron energy levels as a function of the number of associated electrons in a system such as a lattice of semiconducting material resultant from quantum state exclusion processes. (The relative positions vertically and from column-to-column are schematic and not to scale, and electron pairing effects are not accurately represented.)
- FIG. 3 depicts an example electron energy distribution for metals, (wherein the filled valance band overlaps with the conduction band).
- FIG. 4 depicts an example electron energy distribution for semiconductors (wherein the filled valance band is separated from the conduction band by a gap in energy values; this gap is the “band gap”).
- FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary (albeit not comprehensive) schematic representation of the relationships between valance bands and conduction bands in materials distinctly classified as metals, semiconductors, and insulators. (Adapted from Pieter Kuiper, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_band_structure, visited Mar. 22, 2011.)
- FIG. 6 depicts the how the energy distribution of electrons in the valance band and conduction band vary as a function of the density of electron states, and the resultant growth of the band gap as the density of electron states increases.
- FIG. 7 depicts three exemplary types of electron-hole creation processes resulting from absorbed photons that contribute to current flow in a PN diode (adapted from A. Yariv, Optical Electronics, 4th edition, Saunders College Press, 1991, p. 423).
- FIG. 8 depicts exemplary electron energy distribution among bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals in conjugated or aromatic organic compounds (adapted from Y. Divayana, X. Sung, Electroluminescence in Organic Light - Emitting Diodes , VDM Verlag Dr. Willer, Saarmaschinen, 2009, ISBN 978-3-639-17790-9, FIG. 2.2, p.13).
- FIG. 9 depicts an optimization space for semiconductor diodes comprising attributes of signal switching performance, light emitting performance, and light detection performance.
- FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary metric space of device realizations for optoelectronic devices and regions of optimization and co-optimization.
- FIGS. 11-14 depict various exemplary circuits demonstrating various exemplary approaches to detecting light with an LED.
- FIG. 15 depicts a selectable grounding capability for a two-dimensional array of LEDs.
- FIG. 16 depicts an adaptation of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 15 that is controlled by an address decoder so that the selected subset can be associated with a unique binary address.
- FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary highly-scalable electrically-multiplexed LED array display that also functions as a light-field detector.
- FIGS. 18 and 19 depict exemplary functional cells that may be used in a large scale array.
- FIGS. 20-22 depict adaptations of the digital circuit measurement and display arrangements into an example combination.
- FIGS. 23-26 depict exemplary state diagrams for the operation of the LED and the use of input signals and output signals.
- FIG. 27 depicts an exemplary high-level structure of a three-color transparent Stacked OLED (“SOLED”) element as can be used for color light emission, color light sensing, or both.
- SOLED transparent Stacked OLED
- FIG. 28 depicts a conventional “RGB stripe” OLED array as used in a variety of OLED display products and as can be used for light-field sensing in accordance with aspects of the present invention. (Adapted from http://www.displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011.)
- FIG. 29 depicts a representation of the “PenTile Matrix” OLED array as attributed to Samsung and as can be used for light-field sensing in accordance with aspects of the present invention. (Adapted from http://www.displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011.)
- FIG. 30 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a vignetting arrangement as is useful for implementing a lensless imaging camera as taught in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), U.S. 13/072,588, and U.S. 61/517,454.
- FIG. 31 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a transparent OLED array overlaid upon an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically) LED backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a transparent OLED array overlaid upon an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically) LED backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- FIG. 32 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first transparent OLED array used for at least optical sensing overlaid upon a second OLED array used for at least visual display.
- FIG. 33 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first transparent OLED array used for at least visual display overlaid upon a second OLED array used for at least optical sensing.
- FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising an LCD display, used for at least visual display and vignette formation, overlaid upon a second LED array, used for at least backlighting of the LCD and optical sensing.
- FIG. 35 an exemplary arrangement employed in contemporary cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other portable devices wherein a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- FIG. 37 depicts an exemplary arrangement provided for by the invention comprising only a LED array.
- the LEDs in the LED array may be OLEDs or inorganic LEDs. Such an arrangement can be used as a visual display and as a tactile user interface.
- FIG. 38 depicts a representative exemplary arrangement wherein light emitted by neighboring LEDs is reflected from a finger back to an LED acting as a light sensor.
- FIG. 39 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light to illuminate the finger for example as depicted in FIG. 38 .
- FIG. 40 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to serve as a “guard” area, for example not emitting light, these in turn surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light used to illuminate the finger for example as depicted in FIG. 38 .
- FIG. 41 depicts an exemplary reference arrangement comprised by mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- FIG. 42 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement of FIG. 41 wherein an LED array replaces the display, camera, and touch sensor and is interfaced by a common processor that replaces associated support hardware.
- FIG. 43 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement of FIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes at least some touch-based user interface software.
- FIG. 44 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement of FIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes all touch-based user interface software.
- FIG. 45 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a micro optics array and a capacitive matrix sensor
- FIG. 46 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a micro optics array configured to also function as a capacitive matrix sensor.
- FIG. 2 depicts a representation of the spread of electron energy levels as a function of the number of associated electrons in a system such as a lattice of semiconducting material resultant from quantum state exclusion processes.
- a system such as a lattice of semiconducting material resultant from quantum state exclusion processes.
- the separation between consecutive energy levels decreases, in the limit becoming an effective continuum of energy levels.
- Higher energy level electrons form a conduction band while lower energy electrons lie in a valence band.
- the relative positions vertically and from column-to-column are schematic and not to scale, and electron pairing effects are not accurately represented.
- FIG. 3 depicts an example electron energy distribution for metals, (wherein the filled valance band overlaps with the conduction band).
- FIG. 4 depicts an example electron energy distribution for semiconductors; here the filled valance band is separated from the conduction band by a gap in energy values.
- the “band gap” is the difference in energy between electrons at the top of the valence band and electrons at the bottom of the conduction band.
- the band gap is small, and manipulations of materials, physical configurations, charge and potential differences, photon absorption, etc. can be used to move electrons through the band gap or along the conduction band.
- FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary (albeit not comprehensive) schematic representation of the relationships between valance bands and conduction bands in materials distinctly classified as metals, semiconductors, and insulators.
- the band gap is a major factor determining the electrical conductivity of a material.
- metal conductor materials are shown having overlapping valance and conduction bands, there are some conductors that instead have very small band gaps. Materials with somewhat larger band gaps are electrical semiconductors, while materials with very large band gaps are electrical insulators.
- FIG. 6 (adapted from Pieter Kuiper, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_gap, visited Mar. 22, 2011) depicts how the energy distribution of electrons in the valance band and conduction band vary as a function of the density of assumed electron states per unit of energy, illustrating growth of the size of the band gap as the density of states (horizontal axis) increases.
- Electrons can move between the valence band and the conduction band by means of special processes that give rise to hole-electron generation and hole-electron recombination. Several such processes are related to the absorption and emission of photons which make up light.
- FIG. 7 (adapted from A. Yariv, Optical Electronics, 4th edition, Saunders College Press, 1991, p. 423) depicts three exemplary types of electron-hole creation processes resulting from absorbed photons that contribute to current flow in a PN diode. Emitted photons cause electrons to drop through the band gap while absorbed photons of sufficient energy can excite electrons from the valance band though the band gap to the conduction band.
- Photodiodes are often viewed as the simplest and most primitive form of semiconductor light detector.
- a photodiode typically comprises a PIN (P-type/Intrinsic/N-type) junction rather than the more abrupt PIN (P-type/N-type) junction of conventional signal and rectifying diodes.
- PIN P-type/Intrinsic/N-type
- P-type/N-type P-type/N-type
- LEDs which are diodes that have been structured and doped for specific types of optimized light emission, can also behave as (at least low-to-medium performance) photodiodes. Additionally, LEDs also exhibit other readily measurable photo-responsive electrical properties, such as photodiode-type photocurrents and related accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED. In popular circles Forrest M. Mims has often been credited as calling attention to the fact that that a conventional LED can be used as a photovoltaic light detector as well as a light emitter (Mims III, Forrest M. “Sun Photometer with Light-emitting diodes as spectrally selective detectors” Applied Optics, Vol. 31, No. 33, Nov. 20, 1992). More generally LEDs, organic LEDs (“OLEDs”), organic field effect transistors, and other related devices exhibit a range of readily measurable photo-responsive electrical properties, such as photocurrents and related photovoltages and accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED.
- OLEDs organic LED
- an LED In an LED, light is emitted when holes and carriers recombine and the photons emitted have an energy in a small range either side of the energy span of the band gap.
- the wavelength of light emitted by an LED can be controlled.
- Mims additionally pointed out that as a photodetector LEDs exhibit spectral selectivity with at a light absorption wavelength similar to that of the LED's emission wavelength. More details as to the spectral selectivity of the photoelectric response of an LED will be provided later.
- Conjugated organic compounds comprise alternating single and double bonds in the local molecular topology comprising at least some individual atoms (usually carbon, but can be other types of atoms) in the molecule.
- the resulting electric fields organize the orbitals of those atoms into a hybrid formation comprising a ⁇ bond (which engage electrons in forming the molecular structure among joined molecules) and a ⁇ cloud of loosely associated electrons that are in fact delocalized and can move more freely within the molecule.
- These delocalized ⁇ electrons provide a means for charge transport within the molecule and electric current within larger-structures of organic materials (for example, polymers).
- FIG. 2.2, p. 13 depicts the electron energy distribution among bonding ( ⁇ and ⁇ ) and antibonding ( ⁇ * and ⁇ *) molecular orbitals in for two electrons in an exemplary conjugated or aromatic organic compound.
- bonding ⁇ and ⁇
- antibonding ⁇ * and ⁇ * molecular orbitals
- the energy gap between the ⁇ and ⁇ * molecular orbitals correspond to the gap between the HOMO and LUMO.
- the HOMO effectively acts as a valence band in a traditional (inorganic) crystal lattice semiconductor and the LUMO acts as effective equivalent to a conduction band.
- energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO behaves in a manner similar to the band gap in a crystal lattice semiconductor and thus permits many aromatic organic compounds to serve as electrical semiconductors.
- OLED organic LED
- Functional groups and other factors can vary the width of the band gap so that it matches energy transitions associated with selected colors of visual light. Additional details on organic LED (“OLED”) processes, materials, operation, fabrication, performance, and applications can be found in, for example:
- OLEDs Organic Light Emitting Transistors
- OLETS Organic Light Emitting Transistors
- FIG. 9 depicts an optimization space 200 for semiconductor (traditional crystal lattice or organic material) diodes comprising attributes of signal switching performance, light emitting performance, and light detection performance.
- Specific diode materials, diode structure, and diode fabrication approaches 223 can be adjusted to optimize a resultant diode for switching function performance 201 (for example, via use of abrupt junctions), light detection performance 202 (for example via a P-I-N structure comprising a layer of intrinsic semiconducting material between regions of n-type and p-type material, or light detection performance 203 .
- FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary metric space 1900 of device realizations for optoelectronic devices and regions of optimization and co-optimization.
- Specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 can be adjusted to optimize a resultant optoelectrical diode for light detection performance 1901 (for example via a P-I-N structure comprising a layer of intrinsic semiconducting material between regions of n-type and p-type material versus light emission performance 1902 versus cost 1903 .
- Optimization within the plane defined by light detection performance 1901 and cost 1903 traditionally result in photodiodes 1911 while optimization within the plane defined by light emission performance 1902 and cost 1903 traditionally result in LEDs 1912 .
- the present invention provides for specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 to be adjusted to co-optimize an optoelectrical diode for both good light detection performance 1901 and light emission performance 1902 versus cost 1903 .
- a resulting co-optimized optoelectrical diode can be used for multiplexed light emission and light detection modes. These permit a number of applications as explained in the sections to follow.
- OLEDs Organic Light Emitting Transistors
- OLETS Organic Light Emitting Transistors
- FIGS. 11-14 depict various exemplary circuits demonstrating various exemplary approaches to detecting light with an LED. These initially introduce the concepts of received light intensity measurement (“detection”) and varying light emission intensity of an LED in terms of variations in D.C. (“direct-current”) voltages and currents. However, light intensity measurement (“detection”) can be accomplished by other means such as LED capacitance effects—for example reverse-biasing the LED to deposit a known charge, removing the reverse bias, and then measuring the time for the charge to then dissipate within the LED.
- LED capacitance effects for example reverse-biasing the LED to deposit a known charge, removing the reverse bias, and then measuring the time for the charge to then dissipate within the LED.
- varying the light emission intensity of an LED can be accomplished by other means such as pulse-width-modulation—for example, a duty-cycle of 50% yields 50% of the “constant-on” brightness, a duty-cycle of 50% yields 50% of the “constant-on” brightness, etc.
- pulse-width-modulation for example, a duty-cycle of 50% yields 50% of the “constant-on” brightness, a duty-cycle of 50% yields 50% of the “constant-on” brightness, etc.
- LED 1 in FIG. 11 is employed as a photodiode, generating a voltage with respect to ground responsive to the intensity of the light received at the optically-exposed portion of the LED-structured semiconducting material.
- This voltage can be amplified by a high-impedance amplifier, preferably with low offset currents.
- the example of FIG. 11 shows this amplification performed by a simple operational amplifier (“op amp”) circuit with fractional negative feedback, the fraction determined via a voltage divider.
- op amp simple operational amplifier
- the op amp produces an isolated and amplified output voltage that increases, at least for a range, monotonically with increasing light received at the light detection LED 1 . Further in this example illustrative circuit, the output voltage of the op amp is directed to LED 100 via current-limiting resistor R 100 . The result is that the brightness of light emitted by LED 100 varies with the level of light received by LED 1 .
- LED 100 will be dark when LED 1 is engulfed in darkness and will be brightly lit when LED 1 is exposed to natural levels of ambient room light.
- LED 1 could comprise a “water-clear” plastic housing (rather than color-tinted).
- the LED 1 connection to the amplifier input is of relatively quite high impedance and as such can readily pick up AC fields, radio signals, etc. and is best realized using as physically small electrical surface area and length as possible. In a robust system, electromagnetic shielding is advantageous.
- the demonstration circuit of FIG. 11 can be improved, modified, and adapted in various ways (for example, by adding voltage and/or current offsets, JFET preamplifiers, etc.), but as shown is sufficient to show that a wide range of conventional LEDs can serve as pixel sensors for an ambient-room light sensor array as can be used in a camera or other room-light imaging system. Additionally, LED 100 shows the role an LED can play as a pixel emitter of light.
- FIG. 12 shows a demonstration circuit for the photocurrent of the LED.
- the photocurrent generated by LED 1 increases monotonically with the received light intensity.
- the photocurrent is directed to a natively high-impedance op amp (for example, a FET input op amp such as the relatively well-known LF-351) set up as an inverting current-to-voltage converter.
- the magnitude of the transresistance (i.e., the current-to-voltage “gain”) of this inverting current-to-voltage converter is set by the value of the feedback resistor Rf.
- the resultant circuit operates in a similar fashion to that of FIG.
- the output voltage of the op amp increases, at least for a range, monotonically with increasing light received at the light detection LED.
- the inverting current-to-voltage converter inverts the sign of the voltage, and such inversion in sign can be corrected by a later amplification stage, used directly, or is preferred. In other situations it can be advantageous to not have the sign inversion, in which case the LED orientation in the circuit can be reversed, as shown in FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 14 shows an illustrative demonstration arrangement in which an LED can be for a very short duration of time reverse biased and then in a subsequent interval of time the resultant accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED are discharged.
- the decrease in charge during discharge through the resistor R results in a voltage that can be measured with respect to a predetermined voltage threshold, for example as can be provided by a (non-hysteretic) comparator or (hysteretic) Schmitt-trigger.
- the resulting variation in discharge time varies monotonically with the light received by the LED.
- the illustrative demonstration arrangement provided in FIG. 14 is further shown in the context of connects to the bidirectional I/O pin circuit for a conventional microprocessor.
- the very same circuit arrangement can be used to variably control the emitted light brightness of the LED by modulating the temporal pulse-width of a binary signal at one or both of the microprocessor pins.
- each LED For rectangular arrays of LEDs, it is typically useful to interconnect each LED with access wiring arranged to be part of a corresponding matrix wiring arrangement.
- the matrix wiring arrangement is time-division multiplexed. Such time-division multiplexed arrangements can be used for delivering voltages and currents to selectively illuminate each individual LED at a specific intensity level (including very low or zero values so as to not illuminate).
- FIG. 15 An example multiplexing arrangement for a two-dimensional array of LEDs is depicted in FIG. 15 .
- each of a plurality of normally-open analog switches are sequentially closed for brief disjointed intervals of time. This allows the selection of a particular subset (here, a column) of LEDs to be grounded while leaving all other LEDs in the array not connected to ground.
- Each of the horizontal lines then can be used to connect to exactly one grounded LED at a time.
- the plurality of normally-open analog switches in FIG. 15 may be controlled by an address decoder so that the selected subset can be associated with a unique binary address, as suggested in FIG. 16 .
- the combination of the plurality of normally-open analog switches together with the address decoder form an analog line selector. By connecting the line decoder's address decoder input to a counter, the columns of the LED array can be sequentially scanned.
- FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary adaptation of the arrangement of FIG. 16 together to form a highly scalable LED array display that also functions as a light-field detector.
- the various multiplexing switches in this arrangement can be synchronized with the line selector and mode control signal so that each LED very briefly provides periodically updated detection measurement and is free to emit light the rest of the time.
- Such time-division multiplexed arrangements can alternatively be used for selectively measuring voltages or currents of each individual LED.
- the illumination and measurement time-division multiplexed arrangements themselves can be time-division multiplexed, interleaved, or merged in various ways.
- the arrangement of FIG. 17 can be reorganized so that the LED, mode control switch, capacitor, and amplifiers are collocated, for example as in the illustrative exemplary arrangement of FIG. 18 .
- Such an arrangement can be implemented with, for example, three MOSFET switching transistor configurations, two MOSFET amplifying transistor configurations, a small-area/small-volume capacitor, and an LED element (that is, five transistors, a small capacitor, and an LED).
- This can be treated as a cell which is interconnected to multiplexing switches and control logic.
- FIG. 17 is in no way limiting.
- the arrangement of FIG. 17 can be reorganized to decentralize the multiplexing structures so that the LED, mode control switch, multiplexing and sample/hold switches, capacitor, and amplifiers are collocated, for example as in the illustrative exemplary arrangement of FIG. 19 .
- Such an arrangement can be implemented with, for example, three MOSFET switching transistor configurations, two MOSFET amplifying transistor configurations, a small-area/small-volume capacitor, and an LED element (that is, five transistors, a small capacitor, and an LED). This can be treated as a cell whose analog signals are directly interconnected to busses. Other arrangements are also possible.
- FIG. 20 , FIG. 21 , and FIG. 22 depict an example of how the digital circuit measurement and display arrangement of FIG. 14 (that in turn leverages discharge times for accumulations of photo-induced charge in the junction capacitance of the LED) can be adapted into the construction developed thus far.
- FIG. 20 adapts FIG. 14 to additional include provisions for illuminating the LED with a pulse-modulated emission signal.
- FIG. 21 illustrates how a pulse-width modulated binary signal may be generated during LED illumination intervals to vary LED emitted light brightness.
- FIG. 20 , FIG. 21 , and FIG. 22 depict an example of how the digital circuit measurement and display arrangement of FIG. 14 (that in turn leverages discharge times for accumulations of photo-induced charge in the junction capacitance of the LED) can be adapted into the construction developed thus far.
- FIG. 20 adapts FIG. 14 to additional include provisions for illuminating the LED with a pulse-modulated emission signal.
- FIG. 21 illustrates how a pulse-width modulated binary signal may be generated
- FIG. 22 illustrates an adaptation of the tri-state and Schmitt-trigger/comparator logic akin to that illustrated in the microprocessor I/O pin interface that may be used to sequentially access subsets of LEDs in an LED array as described in conjunction with FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 .
- FIGS. 23-25 depict exemplary state diagrams for the operation of the LED and the use of input signals and output signals described above. From the viewpoint of the binary mode control signal there are only two states: a detection state and an emission state, as suggested in FIG. 23 . From the viewpoint of the role of the LED in a larger system incorporating a multiplexed circuit arrangement such as that of FIG. 17 , there may a detection state, an emission state, and an idle state (where there is no emission nor detection occurring), obeying state transition maps such as depicted in FIG. 24 or FIG. 25 . At a further level of detail, there are additional considerations:
- FIG. 26 depicts an exemplary state transition diagram reflecting the above considerations.
- the top “Emit Mode” box and bottom “Detect Mode” box reflect the states of an LED from the viewpoint of the binary mode control signal as suggested by FIG. 23 .
- the two “Idle” states (one in each of the “Emit Mode” box and “Detect Mode” box) of FIG. 26 reflect (at least in part) the “Idle” state suggested in FIG. 24 and/or FIG. 25 .
- transitions between “Emit” and “Idle” may be controlled by emit signal multiplexing arrangements, algorithms for coordinating the light emission of an LED in an array while a neighboring LED in the array is in detection mode, etc.
- transitions between “Detect” and “Idle” may be controlled by independent or coordinated multiplexing arrangements, algorithms for coordinating the light emission of an LED in an array while a neighboring LED in the array is in detection mode, etc.
- the originating and termination states may be chosen in a manner advantageous for details of various multiplexing and feature embodiments. Transitions between the groups of states within the two boxes correspond to the vast impedance shift invoked by the switch opening and closing as driven by the binary mode control signal. In FIG. 26 , the settling times between these two groups of states are gathered and regarded as a transitional state.
- the amplitude of light emitted by an LED can be modulated to lesser values by means of pulse-width modulation (PWM) of a binary waveform.
- PWM pulse-width modulation
- the LED illumination amplitude will be perceived roughly as 50% of the full-on illumination level when the duty-cycle of the pulse is 50%, roughly as 75% of the full-on illumination level when the duty-cycle of the pulse is 75%, roughly as 10% of the full-on illumination level when the duty-cycle of the pulse is 10%, etc.
- the larger fraction of time the LED is illuminated i.e., the larger the duty-cycle
- FIG. 27 (adapted from G. Gu, G. Parthasarathy, P. Burrows, T. Tian, I. Hill, A. Kahn, S. Forrest, “Transparent stacked organic light emitting devices. I. Design principles and transparent compound electrodes,” Journal of Applied Physics, October 1999, vol. 86 no. 8, pp.4067-4075) depicts an exemplary high-level structure of a three-color transparent Stacked OLED (“SOLED”) element as has been developed for use in light-emitting color displays.
- SOLED transparent Stacked OLED
- the present invention provides for a three-color transparent SOLED element such as those depicted in FIG. 27 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to be used as-is as a color transparent light sensor.
- the present invention provides for analogous structures to be used to implement a three-color transparent light sensor, for example, with reference to FIG. 10 , by replacing optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized for light emission performance 1902 with optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized for light detection performance 1901 .
- the present invention additionally provides for a three-color transparent SOLED element such as those depicted in FIG. 27 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to employ specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 to be adjusted to co-optimize an optoelectrical diode for both good light detection performance 1901 and light emission performance 1902 versus cost 1903 .
- the resulting structure can be used for color light emission, color light sensing, or both.
- the invention additionally provides for the alternative use of similar or related structures employing OLETs.
- FIG. 28 (adapted from http://www.displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011) depicts a conventional “RGB stripe” OLED array as used in a variety of OLED display products.
- FIG. 29 (also adapted from http://www. displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011) depicts a representation of the “PenTile Matrix” OLED array as attributed to Samsung which provides good display performance with a 33% reduction in pixel element count.
- the present invention provides for arrays of OLED elements such as those depicted in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to be used as-is as a color light sensors. This permits OLED elements in arrays such as those depicted in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to be used for light-field sensing in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
- the present invention provides for analogous structures to be used to implement a three-color transparent light sensor, for example, with reference to FIG. 10 , by replacing optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized for light emission performance 1902 with optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized for light detection performance 1901 .
- the present invention additionally provides for OLED elements in arrays such as those depicted in FIG. 27 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to employ specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 to be adjusted to co-optimize an optoelectrical diode for both good light detection performance 1901 and light emission performance 1902 versus cost 1903 .
- the resulting structure can be used for color light emission, color light sensing, or both.
- the invention additionally provides for the alternative use of similar or related structures employing OLETs.
- various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics can be used as-is to create an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices well-suited as a color light-field sensor.
- An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics can be co-optimized to create an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices well-suited as a color light-field sensor.
- An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- At least three inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices are transparent.
- the at least three transparent inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices are comprised in an array that is overlaid on a display such as an LCD.
- each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be alternately used as a photodetector or as a light emitter.
- the state transitions of each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in the array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices among the above states can be coordinated in a wide variety of ways to afford various multiplexing, signal distribution, and signal gathering schemes as can be advantageous.
- An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can, at any one time, be in one of three states:
- each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in the array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices among the above states can be coordinated in a wide variety of ways to afford various multiplexing, signal distribution, and signal gathering schemes as can be advantageous.
- An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics can be used as-is, adapted, and/or optimized so that the array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices to work well as both a color image display and color light-field sensor.
- An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- LEDs in the LED array themselves can be structured so that light-sensing elements (including photodiodes or LEDs used in light-sensing modes) are partially enveloped in a well comprising walls formed in associating with at least light-emitting LEDs in the LED array.
- FIG. 30 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a vignetting arrangement as is useful for implementing a lensless imaging camera as taught in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), U.S. 13/072,588, and U.S. 61/517,454.
- an LCD otherwise used for display can be used to create vignetting apertures.
- the invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the LED array and LCD as needed or advantageous.
- a vignetting arrangement is created as a separate structure and overlaid atop the LED array.
- the output of the light-field sensor can also or alternatively be used to implement a tactile user interface or proximate hand gesture user interface as described later in the detailed description.
- FIG. 31 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a transparent OLED array overlaid upon an LCD visual display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically) LED backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD visual display from behind.
- Such an arrangement may be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention.
- Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention.
- the invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the OLED array and LCD as needed or advantageous. It is noted in one embodiment the LCD and LED array can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention.
- FIG. 32 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first (transparent OLED) LED array used for at least optical sensing overlaid upon a second LED array used for at least visual display.
- the second LED array can be an OLED array.
- either or both of the LED arrays can comprise photodiodes.
- Such an arrangement can be employed to allow the first array to be optimized for one or more purposes, at least one being sensing, and the second LED array to be optimized for one or more purposes, at least one being visual display.
- Such an arrangement may be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention.
- the second LED array is used for both visual display and tactile user interface illumination light and the first (transparent OLED) LED array is used for tactile user interface light sensing.
- the first (transparent OLED) LED array is used for both tactile user interface illumination light and light sensing, while the second LED array is used for visual display.
- the second LED array is used for visual display and further comprises vignetting structures (as described above) and serves as a light-field sensor to enable the implementation of a lensless imaging camera.
- vignetting structures as described above
- Such an arrangement can be used to implement a light-field sensor and a lensless imaging camera as described earlier.
- Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention.
- the invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the first LED array and second LED array as needed or advantageous.
- the two LED arrays can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure.
- Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention.
- FIG. 33 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first (transparent OLED) LED array used for at least visual display overlaid upon a second LED array used for at least optical sensing.
- the second LED array can be an OLED array.
- either or both of the LED arrays can comprise photodiodes.
- Such an arrangement can be employed to allow the first array to be optimized for to be optimized for other purposes, at least one being visual display, and the second LED array to be optimized for one or more purposes, at least one being sensing.
- Such an arrangement may be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention.
- the first LED array is used for both visual display and tactile user interface illumination light
- the second (transparent OLED) LED array is used for tactile user interface light sensing.
- the second (transparent OLED) LED array is used for both tactile user interface illumination light and light sensing, while the first LED array is used for visual display.
- the second LED array comprises vignetting structures (as described above) and serves as a light-field sensor to enable the implementation of a lensless imaging camera.
- the invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the first LED array and second LED array as needed or advantageous. It is noted in one embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention.
- FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising an LCD display, used for at least visual display and vignette formation, overlaid upon a second LED array, used for at least backlighting of the LCD and optical sensing.
- the LED array can be an OLED array.
- the LED array can comprise also photodiodes.
- Such an arrangement can be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention.
- Such an arrangement can be used to implement a light-field sensor and a lensless imaging camera as described earlier.
- the invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the LCD and LED array as needed or advantageous.
- the LCD and LED array can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure.
- the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure.
- FIG. 35 an exemplary arrangement employed in contemporary cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other portable devices wherein a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind.
- FIG. 36 depicts an exemplary modification of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 35 wherein the LCD display and backlight are replaced with an OLED array used as a visual display.
- Such an arrangement has started to be incorporated in recent contemporary cellphone, smartphone, PDA, tablet computers, and other portable device products by several manufacturers. Note the considerable reduction in optoelectronic, electronic, and processor components over the arrangement depicted in FIG. 35 . This is one of the motivations for using OLED displays in these emerging product implementations.
- FIG. 37 depicts an exemplary arrangement provided for by the invention comprising only a LED array.
- the LEDs in the LED array may be OLEDs or inorganic LEDs.
- Such an arrangement can be used as a tactile user interface, or as a combined a visual display and tactile user interface, as will be described next. Note the considerable reduction in optoelectronic, electronic, and processor components over the both the arrangement depicted in FIG. 35 and the arrangement depicted in FIG. 36 . This is one of the advantages of many embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 38 depicts a representative exemplary arrangement wherein light emitted by neighboring LEDs is reflected from a finger (or other object) back to an LED acting as a light sensor.
- LED-array tactile proximity array implementations need to be operated in a darkened environment (as seen in the video available at http://cs.nyu.edut about.jhan/ledtouch/index.html).
- the invention provides for additional systems and methods for not requiring darkness in the user environment in order to operate the LED array as a tactile proximity sensor.
- potential interference from ambient light in the surrounding user environment can be limited by using an opaque pliable and/or elastically deformable surface covering the LED array that is appropriately reflective (directionally, amorphously, etc. as may be advantageous in a particular design) on the side facing the LED array.
- an opaque pliable and/or elastically deformable surface covering the LED array that is appropriately reflective (directionally, amorphously, etc. as may be advantageous in a particular design) on the side facing the LED array.
- potential interference from ambient light in the surrounding user environment can be limited by employing amplitude, phase, or pulse width modulated circuitry and/or software to control the light emission and receiving process.
- the LED array can be configured to emit modulated light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform and respond to only modulated light signal components extracted from the received light signals comprising that same carrier frequency or time-variational waveform.
- the light measurements used for implementing a tactile user interface can be from unvignetted LEDs, unvignetted photodiodes, vignetted LEDs, vignetted photodiodes, or combinations of two or more of these.
- some LEDs in an array of LEDs are used as photodetectors while other elements in the array are used as light emitters.
- the light emitter LEDs can be used for display purposes and also for illuminating a finger (or other object) sufficiently near the display.
- FIG. 39 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring element designated to emit light to illuminate the finger for example as depicted in FIG. 38 .
- Other arrangements of illuminating and sensing LEDs are of course possible and are anticipated by the invention.
- the elements used as light sensors can be optimized photodiodes.
- the elements used as light sensors can be the same type of LED used as light emitters.
- the elements used as light sensors can be LEDs that are slightly modified versions the of type of LED used as light emitters.
- the arrangement described above can be implemented only as a user interface.
- the LED array can be implemented as a transparent OLED array that can be overlaid atop another display element such as an LCD or another LED array.
- LEDs providing user interface illumination provide light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform as described earlier.
- the arrangement described above can serve as both a display and a tactile user interface.
- the light emitting LEDs in the array are time-division multiplexed between visual display functions and user interface illumination functions.
- some light emitting LEDs in the array are used for visual display functions while light emitting LEDs in the array are used for user interface illumination functions.
- LEDs providing user interface illumination provide modulated illumination light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform.
- the modulated illumination light is combined with the visual display light by combining a modulated illumination light signal with a visual display light signal presented to each of a plurality of LEDs within the in the LED array.
- Such a plurality of LEDs can comprise a subset of the LED array or can comprise the entire LED array.
- FIG. 40 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to serve as a “guard area,” for example not emitting light, these in turn surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light used to illuminate the finger for example as depicted in FIG. 38 .
- Such an arrangement can be implemented in various physical and multiplexed ways as advantageous to various applications or usage environments.
- the illumination light used for tactile user interface purposes can comprise an invisible wavelength, for example infrared or ultraviolet.
- each LED in an array of LEDs can be used as a photodetector as well as a light emitter wherein each individual LED can either transmit or receive information at a given instant.
- each LED in a plurality of LEDs in the LED array can sequentially be selected to be in a receiving mode while others adjacent or near to it are placed in a light emitting mode.
- Such a plurality of LEDs can comprise a subset of the LED array or can comprise the entire LED array.
- a particular LED in receiving mode can pick up reflected light from the finger, provided by said neighboring illuminating-mode LEDs.
- local illumination and sensing arrangements such as that depicted FIG. 39 (or variations anticipated by the invention) can be selectively implemented in a scanning and multiplexing arrangement.
- FIG. 40 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to serve as a “guard” area, for example not emitting light, these in turn surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light used to illuminate the finger for example as depicted in FIG. 38 .
- Such an arrangement can be implemented in various multiplexed ways as advantageous to various applications or usage environments.
- the arrangement described above can serve as both a display and a tactile user interface.
- the light emitting LEDs in the array are time-division multiplexed between visual display functions and user interface illumination functions.
- some light emitting LEDs in the array are used for visual display functions while light emitting LEDs in the array are used for user interface illumination functions.
- LEDs providing user interface illumination provide modulated illumination light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform.
- the modulated illumination light is combined with the visual display light by combining a modulated illumination light signal with a visual display light signal presented to each of a plurality of LEDs within the in the LED array.
- Such a plurality of LEDs can comprise a subset of the LED array or can comprise the entire LED array.
- various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics can be used as-is, adapted, and/or optimized so as to create an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices that is well-suited as for operation as a color lensless imaging camera according to the general framework described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- Image formation is performed without a conventional large shared lens and associated separation distance between lens and image sensor, resulting in a “lensless camera.”
- the similarities between the spectral detection band and the spectral emission bands of each of a plurality of types of colored-light LED may be used to create a color light-field sensor from a color LED array display such as that currently employed in “LED TV” products, large outdoor color-image LED displays (as seen in advertising signs and sports stadiums), and recently (in the form of OLED displays) in Samsung Smartphones.
- the various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating the LED array and associated co-located electronics may be used to further co-optimize a high performance monochrome LED array or color LED array to work well as both an image display and light-field sensor compatible with synthetic optics image formation algorithms using methods, systems, and process such as those aforedescribed.
- the examples above employ an LED array multiplexed in between light-emitting modes and light-sensing modes.
- the examples above employ an LED array to be used in visual (image, video, GUI) display modes and lensless imaging camera modes.
- the invention provides for these to be integrated together into a common system, leveraging one or more of a shared electronics infrastructure, shared processor infrastructure, and shared algorithmic infrastructure.
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both a color image display and color light-field sensor compatible with synthetic optics image formation algorithms using methods, systems, and process such as those described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- the invention further provides for a common LED array multiplexed in between light-emitting display modes and light-sensing lensless imaging camera modes.
- the LED array to be time multiplexed between “image capture” and “image display” modes so as to operate as an integrated camera/display.
- the invention provides for these to be integrated together into a common system, leveraging one or more of a shared electronics infrastructure, shared processor infrastructure, and shared algorithmic infrastructure.
- the integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices.
- the integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- the invention provides for an LED array image display, used in place of a LCD image display, to serve as a time-multiplexed array of light emitter and light detector elements.
- the resulting system does not require an interleaving or stacking of functionally-differentiated (with respect to light detection and light emission) elements. This is particularly advantageous as there is a vast simplification in manufacturing and in fact close or precise alignment with current LED array image display manufacturing techniques and existing LED array image display products.
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be used to implement a tactile (touch-based) user interface sensor.
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both a color image visual display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface.
- the integrated tactile user interface sensor capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- the LED array is multiplexed among display, camera, and tactile user interface sensor modalities.
- an LED array can be used as a display, camera, and touch-based user interface sensor.
- the integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices.
- the integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- the integrated tactile user interface sensor capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface sensor as, for example, replacing the photodiode sensor arrangement used in the M.I.T. BI-DI user interface.
- the M.I.T. BI-DI photodiode sensor arrangement behind the LCD array can be replaced with an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices as provided for in the current invention.
- the M.I.T. BI-DI photodiode sensor arrangement behind the LCD array, the LCD itself, and the associated backlight can be replaced with an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices as provided for in the current invention.
- the integrated proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both a visual image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface sensor as, for example, replacing the photodiode sensor and LCD display arrangement used in the M.I.T. BI-DI user interface.
- an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface sensor, and also as a visual display.
- the integrated proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface sensor, lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- the integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices.
- the integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- the integrated proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, tactile user interface (touchscreen), and visual image display.
- a tactile user interface touch screen
- a proximate hand image
- the integrated combination of a tactile user interface (touch screen) capability and a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can provide a more flexible, sophisticated, and higher accuracy user interface.
- the integrated tactile user interface (touch screen) and a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capabilities employ the light filed sensor modalities for the LED array, this approach can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- a tactile user interface sensor such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor
- an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, tactile user interface (touchscreen), lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- the integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices.
- the integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- a tactile user interface touch screen
- a proximate hand image
- the integrated combination of a tactile user interface (touch screen) capability and a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can provide a more flexible, sophisticated, and higher accuracy user interface.
- FIG. 41 depicts an exemplary reference arrangement comprised by mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- FIG. 42 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement of FIG. 41 wherein an LED array replaces the display, camera, and touch sensor and is interfaced by a common processor that replaces associated support hardware.
- the common processor is a Graphics Processing Unit (“GPU”) or comprises a GPU architecture.
- FIG. 43 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement of FIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes at least some touch-based user interface software.
- FIG. 44 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement of FIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes all touch-based user interface software.
- a capacitive sensor may be used to supplement the optical tactile sensing capabilities describe thus far.
- FIG. 45 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a microoptics vignetting array and a capacitive matrix sensor.
- FIG. 46 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a microoptics vignetting array that is physically and electrically configured to also function as a capacitive matrix sensor. This can be accomplished by making at least some portions of the microoptics vignetting array electrically conductive.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/180,345, filed Jul. 11, 2011, which claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/363,181, filed Jul. 9, 2010, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
- Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of the applicant, the assignee or third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is for providing an enabling disclosure by way of example and shall not be construed to exclusively limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter to material associated with such marks.
- Throughout the discussion, although “OLED” is in places called out specifically, an “Organic Light Emitting Diode” (OLED) is regarded as a type of “Light Emitting Diode” (LED). The term “inorganic-LED” is used to specifically signify traditional LEDs made of non-organic materials such as silicon, indium-phosphide, etc.
FIG. 1 depicts a visual classification representation showing inorganic-LEDs and Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) as mutually-exclusive types of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). - Color inorganic-LED array displays are currently employed in “LED TV” products and road-side and arena color-image LED advertising signs.
- Color OLED array displays have begun to appear in cellphones, smartphones, and Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs”) manufactured by Samsung, Nokia, LG, HTC, Phillips, Sony and others. Color OLED array displays are of particular interest, in general and as pertaining to the present invention, because:
-
- They can be fabricated (along with associated electrical wiring conductors) via printed electronics on a wide variety of surfaces such as glass, Mylar, plastics, paper, etc.;
- Leveraging some such surface materials, they can be readily bent, printed on curved surfaces, etc.;
- They can be transparent (and be interconnected with transparent conductors);
- Leveraging such transparency, they can be:
- Stacked vertically,
- Used as an overlay element atop an LCD or other display,
- Used as an underlay element between an LCD and its associated backlight.
- Light detection is typically performed by photosite CCD (charge-coupled device) elements, phototransistors, CMOS photodetectors, and photodiodes. Photodiodes are often viewed as the simplest and most primitive of these, and typically comprise a PIN (P-type/Intrinstic/N-type) junction rather than the more abrupt PIN (P-type/N-type) junction of conventional signal and rectifying diodes.
- However, virtually all diodes are capable of photovoltaic properties to some extent. In particular, LEDs, which are diodes that have been structured and doped specific types of optimized light emission, can also behave as (at least low-to moderate performance) photodiodes. In popular circles Forrest M. Mims has often been credited as calling attention to the fact that that a conventional LED can be used as a photovoltaic light detector as well as a light emitter (Mims III, Forrest M. “Sun Photometer with Light-emitting diodes as spectrally selective detectors” Applied Optics, Vol. 31, No. 33, Nov. 20, 1992), and as a photodetector LEDs exhibit spectral selectivity associated with the LED's emission wavelength. More generally, inorganic-LEDs, organic LEDs (“OLEDs”), organic field effect transistors, and other related devices exhibit a range of readily measurable photo-responsive electrical properties, such as photocurrents and related photovoltages and accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED.
- Further, the relation between the spectral detection band and the spectral emission bands of each of a plurality of colors and types of color inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, and related devices can be used to create a color light-field sensor from, for example, a color inorganic-LED, OLED, and related device array display. Such arrangements have been described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454. The present invention expands further upon this.
- Pending U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), U.S. 13/072,588, and U.S. 61/517,454 additionally teaches how such a light-field sensor can be used together with signal processing software to create lensless-imaging camera technology, and how such technology can be used to create an integrated camera/display device which can be used, for example, to deliver precise eye-contact in video conferencing applications.
- In an embodiment provided for by the invention, each LED in an array of LEDs can be alternately used as a photodetector or as a light emitter. At any one time, each individual LED would be in one of three states:
-
- A light emission state,
- A light detection state,
- An idle state.
- as may be advantageous for various operating strategies. The state transitions of each LED may be coordinated in a wide variety of ways to afford various multiplexing, signal distribution, and signal gathering schemes as may be advantageous.
- Leveraging this in various ways, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related optoelectronic devices is configured to perform functions of two or more of:
-
- a visual image display (graphics, image, video, GUI, etc.),
- a (lensless imaging) camera,
- a tactile user interface (touch screen),
- a proximate gesture user interface.
- These arrangements further advantageously allow for a common processor to be used for two or more display, user interface, and camera functionalities.
- The result dramatically decreases the component count, system hardware complexity, and inter-chip communications complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In cases where a user interface is incorporated, the RF capacitive matrix arrangements used in contemporary multi-touch touchscreen are replaced with an optical interface.
- Further, the integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices. The integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
- In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a system is taught for implementing a display which also serves as one or more of a tactile user interface touchscreen, light-field sensor, proximate hand gesture sensor, and lensless imaging camera. In an implementation, an OLED array can be used for light sensing as well as light emission functions. In one implementation a single OLED array is used as the only optoelectronic user interface element in the system. In another implementation two OLED arrays are used, each performing and/or optimized from different functions. In another implementation, an LCD and an OLED array are used in various configurations. The resulting arrangements allow for sharing of both optoelectric devices as well as associated electronics and computational processors, and are accordingly advantageous for use in handheld devices such as cellphone, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In accordance with embodiments of the invention, array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related optoelectronic devices is configured to perform functions of a display, a camera, and a hand-operated user interface sensor.
- In an embodiment, an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be used to implement a tactile user interface.
- In an embodiment, an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate image user interface.
- In an embodiment, an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface sensor.
- In an embodiment, an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate image user interface sensor.
- In an embodiment, an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface (touch screen), lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- In an embodiment, an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- In an embodiment, an array of inorganic-LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, tactile user interface (touch screen), lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a system for implementing the function of a visual display, light-field sensor , and a user interface for operated by a user hand is taught, the system comprising:
-
- A processor, the processor having an electrical interface and for executing at least one software algorithm;
- A transparent OLED array comprising at least a plurality of OLEDs, the OLED array configured to be in communication with the electrical interface of the processor;
- An optical vignetting arrangement for providing a plurality of distinct vignettes of an incoming light-field, and
- A light emitting arrangement associated with the transparent OLED array, the light emitting arrangement for providing a visual display;
- Wherein each distinct vignette of the incoming light-field is directed to an associated individual OLED from the plurality of OLEDs;
- Wherein each of the individual OLED performs a light detection function at least for an interval of time, the light detection function comprising a photoelectric effect that is communicated to the processor via the electrical interface of the processor; and
- Wherein the photoelectric effect that is communicated to the processor is used to obtain light-field measurement information responsive to the incoming light-field.
- The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 depicts a visual classification representation showing inorganic-LEDs and Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) as mutually-exclusive types of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). -
FIG. 2 depicts a representation of the spread of electron energy levels as a function of the number of associated electrons in a system such as a lattice of semiconducting material resultant from quantum state exclusion processes. (The relative positions vertically and from column-to-column are schematic and not to scale, and electron pairing effects are not accurately represented.) -
FIG. 3 depicts an example electron energy distribution for metals, (wherein the filled valance band overlaps with the conduction band). -
FIG. 4 depicts an example electron energy distribution for semiconductors (wherein the filled valance band is separated from the conduction band by a gap in energy values; this gap is the “band gap”). -
FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary (albeit not comprehensive) schematic representation of the relationships between valance bands and conduction bands in materials distinctly classified as metals, semiconductors, and insulators. (Adapted from Pieter Kuiper, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_band_structure, visited Mar. 22, 2011.) -
FIG. 6 depicts the how the energy distribution of electrons in the valance band and conduction band vary as a function of the density of electron states, and the resultant growth of the band gap as the density of electron states increases. (Adapted from Pieter Kuiper, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_gap, visited Mar. 22, 2011.) -
FIG. 7 depicts three exemplary types of electron-hole creation processes resulting from absorbed photons that contribute to current flow in a PN diode (adapted from A. Yariv, Optical Electronics, 4th edition, Saunders College Press, 1991, p. 423). -
FIG. 8 depicts exemplary electron energy distribution among bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals in conjugated or aromatic organic compounds (adapted from Y. Divayana, X. Sung, Electroluminescence in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, VDM Verlag Dr. Willer, Saarbrücken, 2009, ISBN 978-3-639-17790-9, FIG. 2.2, p.13). -
FIG. 9 depicts an optimization space for semiconductor diodes comprising attributes of signal switching performance, light emitting performance, and light detection performance. -
FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary metric space of device realizations for optoelectronic devices and regions of optimization and co-optimization. -
FIGS. 11-14 depict various exemplary circuits demonstrating various exemplary approaches to detecting light with an LED. -
FIG. 15 depicts a selectable grounding capability for a two-dimensional array of LEDs. -
FIG. 16 depicts an adaptation of the arrangement depicted inFIG. 15 that is controlled by an address decoder so that the selected subset can be associated with a unique binary address. -
FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary highly-scalable electrically-multiplexed LED array display that also functions as a light-field detector. -
FIGS. 18 and 19 depict exemplary functional cells that may be used in a large scale array. -
FIGS. 20-22 depict adaptations of the digital circuit measurement and display arrangements into an example combination. -
FIGS. 23-26 depict exemplary state diagrams for the operation of the LED and the use of input signals and output signals. -
FIG. 27 depicts an exemplary high-level structure of a three-color transparent Stacked OLED (“SOLED”) element as can be used for color light emission, color light sensing, or both. (Adapted from G. Gu, G. Parthasarathy, P. Burrows, T. Tian, I. Hill, A. Kahn, S. Forrest, “Transparent stacked organic light emitting devices. I. Design principles and transparent compound electrodes,” Journal of Applied Physics, October 1999, vol. 86 no. 8, pp. 4067-4075.) -
FIG. 28 depicts a conventional “RGB stripe” OLED array as used in a variety of OLED display products and as can be used for light-field sensing in accordance with aspects of the present invention. (Adapted from http://www.displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011.) -
FIG. 29 depicts a representation of the “PenTile Matrix” OLED array as attributed to Samsung and as can be used for light-field sensing in accordance with aspects of the present invention. (Adapted from http://www.displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011.) - FIG. 30 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a vignetting arrangement as is useful for implementing a lensless imaging camera as taught in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), U.S. 13/072,588, and U.S. 61/517,454.
-
FIG. 31 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a transparent OLED array overlaid upon an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically) LED backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind. -
FIG. 32 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first transparent OLED array used for at least optical sensing overlaid upon a second OLED array used for at least visual display. -
FIG. 33 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first transparent OLED array used for at least visual display overlaid upon a second OLED array used for at least optical sensing. -
FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising an LCD display, used for at least visual display and vignette formation, overlaid upon a second LED array, used for at least backlighting of the LCD and optical sensing. -
FIG. 35 an exemplary arrangement employed in contemporary cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other portable devices wherein a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind. Each of the capacitive matrix and the LCD have considerable associated electronic circuitry and software associated with them. -
FIG. 36 depicts an exemplary modification of the arrangement depicted inFIG. 35 wherein the LCD display and backlight are replaced with an OLED array used as a visual display. Such an arrangement has started to be incorporated in recent contemporary cellphone, smartphone, PDA, tablet computers, and other portable device products by several manufacturers. -
FIG. 37 depicts an exemplary arrangement provided for by the invention comprising only a LED array. The LEDs in the LED array may be OLEDs or inorganic LEDs. Such an arrangement can be used as a visual display and as a tactile user interface. -
FIG. 38 depicts a representative exemplary arrangement wherein light emitted by neighboring LEDs is reflected from a finger back to an LED acting as a light sensor. -
FIG. 39 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light to illuminate the finger for example as depicted inFIG. 38 . -
FIG. 40 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to serve as a “guard” area, for example not emitting light, these in turn surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light used to illuminate the finger for example as depicted inFIG. 38 . -
FIG. 41 depicts an exemplary reference arrangement comprised by mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices. -
FIG. 42 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement ofFIG. 41 wherein an LED array replaces the display, camera, and touch sensor and is interfaced by a common processor that replaces associated support hardware. -
FIG. 43 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement ofFIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes at least some touch-based user interface software. -
FIG. 44 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement ofFIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes all touch-based user interface software. -
FIG. 45 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a micro optics array and a capacitive matrix sensor -
FIG. 46 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a micro optics array configured to also function as a capacitive matrix sensor. - The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
- In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
-
FIG. 2 depicts a representation of the spread of electron energy levels as a function of the number of associated electrons in a system such as a lattice of semiconducting material resultant from quantum state exclusion processes. As the number of associated electrons in a system increases, the separation between consecutive energy levels decreases, in the limit becoming an effective continuum of energy levels. Higher energy level electrons form a conduction band while lower energy electrons lie in a valence band. The relative positions vertically and from column-to-column are schematic and not to scale, and electron pairing effects are not accurately represented. -
FIG. 3 depicts an example electron energy distribution for metals, (wherein the filled valance band overlaps with the conduction band). -
FIG. 4 depicts an example electron energy distribution for semiconductors; here the filled valance band is separated from the conduction band by a gap in energy values. The “band gap” is the difference in energy between electrons at the top of the valence band and electrons at the bottom of the conduction band. For a semiconductor the band gap is small, and manipulations of materials, physical configurations, charge and potential differences, photon absorption, etc. can be used to move electrons through the band gap or along the conduction band. - Elaborating further,
FIG. 5 (adapted from Pieter Kuiper, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_band_structure, visited Mar. 22, 2011) depicts an exemplary (albeit not comprehensive) schematic representation of the relationships between valance bands and conduction bands in materials distinctly classified as metals, semiconductors, and insulators. The band gap is a major factor determining the electrical conductivity of a material. Although metal conductor materials are shown having overlapping valance and conduction bands, there are some conductors that instead have very small band gaps. Materials with somewhat larger band gaps are electrical semiconductors, while materials with very large band gaps are electrical insulators. - The affairs shown in
FIG. 1 andFIG. 4 are related.FIG. 6 (adapted from Pieter Kuiper, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_gap, visited Mar. 22, 2011) depicts how the energy distribution of electrons in the valance band and conduction band vary as a function of the density of assumed electron states per unit of energy, illustrating growth of the size of the band gap as the density of states (horizontal axis) increases. - Electrons can move between the valence band and the conduction band by means of special processes that give rise to hole-electron generation and hole-electron recombination. Several such processes are related to the absorption and emission of photons which make up light.
- Light detection in information systems is typically performed by photosite CCD (charge-coupled device) elements, phototransistors, CMOS photodetectors, and photodiodes. By way of example,
FIG. 7 (adapted from A. Yariv, Optical Electronics, 4th edition, Saunders College Press, 1991, p. 423) depicts three exemplary types of electron-hole creation processes resulting from absorbed photons that contribute to current flow in a PN diode. Emitted photons cause electrons to drop through the band gap while absorbed photons of sufficient energy can excite electrons from the valance band though the band gap to the conduction band. - Photodiodes are often viewed as the simplest and most primitive form of semiconductor light detector. A photodiode typically comprises a PIN (P-type/Intrinsic/N-type) junction rather than the more abrupt PIN (P-type/N-type) junction of conventional signal and rectifying diodes. However, photoelectric effects and capabilities are hardly restricted to PIN diode structures. In varying degrees, virtually all diodes are capable of photovoltaic properties to some extent.
- In particular, LEDs, which are diodes that have been structured and doped for specific types of optimized light emission, can also behave as (at least low-to-medium performance) photodiodes. Additionally, LEDs also exhibit other readily measurable photo-responsive electrical properties, such as photodiode-type photocurrents and related accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED. In popular circles Forrest M. Mims has often been credited as calling attention to the fact that that a conventional LED can be used as a photovoltaic light detector as well as a light emitter (Mims III, Forrest M. “Sun Photometer with Light-emitting diodes as spectrally selective detectors” Applied Optics, Vol. 31, No. 33, Nov. 20, 1992). More generally LEDs, organic LEDs (“OLEDs”), organic field effect transistors, and other related devices exhibit a range of readily measurable photo-responsive electrical properties, such as photocurrents and related photovoltages and accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED.
- In an LED, light is emitted when holes and carriers recombine and the photons emitted have an energy in a small range either side of the energy span of the band gap. Through engineering of the band gap, the wavelength of light emitted by an LED can be controlled. In the aforementioned article, Mims additionally pointed out that as a photodetector LEDs exhibit spectral selectivity with at a light absorption wavelength similar to that of the LED's emission wavelength. More details as to the spectral selectivity of the photoelectric response of an LED will be provided later.
- Attention is now directed to organic semiconductors and their electrical and optoelectrical behavior. Conjugated organic compounds comprise alternating single and double bonds in the local molecular topology comprising at least some individual atoms (usually carbon, but can be other types of atoms) in the molecule. The resulting electric fields organize the orbitals of those atoms into a hybrid formation comprising a σ bond (which engage electrons in forming the molecular structure among joined molecules) and a π cloud of loosely associated electrons that are in fact delocalized and can move more freely within the molecule. These delocalized π electrons provide a means for charge transport within the molecule and electric current within larger-structures of organic materials (for example, polymers).
- Combinations of atomic orbital modalities for the individual atoms in a molecule, together with the molecular topology (created by the σ bonds) and molecular geometry, create molecule-scale orbitals for the delocalized π cloud of electrons and in a sense for the electrons comprising σ bonds. Interactions among the electrons, in particular quantum exclusion processes, create an energy gap between the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (“HOMO”) and Lowest-Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (“LUMO”) for the delocalized π electrons (and similarly does so for the more highly localized σ bond electrons).
FIG. 8 (adapted from Y. Divayana, X. Sung, Electroluminescence in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, VDM Verlag Dr. Willer, SaarbrUcken, 2009, ISBN 978-3-639-17790-9, FIG. 2.2, p. 13) depicts the electron energy distribution among bonding (π and σ) and antibonding (π* and σ*) molecular orbitals in for two electrons in an exemplary conjugated or aromatic organic compound. In such materials typically the energy gap between the π and π* molecular orbitals correspond to the gap between the HOMO and LUMO. The HOMO effectively acts as a valence band in a traditional (inorganic) crystal lattice semiconductor and the LUMO acts as effective equivalent to a conduction band. Accordingly, energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO (usually corresponding to the gap between the π and π* molecular orbitals) behaves in a manner similar to the band gap in a crystal lattice semiconductor and thus permits many aromatic organic compounds to serve as electrical semiconductors. - Emitted photons cause electrons to drop through the HOMO/LUMO gap while absorbed photons of sufficient energy can excite electrons from the HOMO to the LUMO. These processes are similar to photon emission and photo absorption processes in a crystal lattice semiconductor and can be used to implement organic LED (“OLED”) and organic photodiode effects with aromatic organic compounds. Functional groups and other factors can vary the width of the band gap so that it matches energy transitions associated with selected colors of visual light. Additional details on organic LED (“OLED”) processes, materials, operation, fabrication, performance, and applications can be found in, for example:
-
- Z. Li, H. Ming (eds.), Organic Light-Emitting Materials and Devices, CRC Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, 2007, ISBN 1-57444-574-X;
- Z. Kafafi (ed.), Organic Electroluminescence, CRC Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, 2005, ISBN 0-8247-5906-0;
- Y. Divayana, X. Sung, Electroluminescence in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, VDM Verlag Dr. Willer, Saarbrücken, 2009, ISBN 978-3-639-17790-9.
- It is noted that an emerging alternative to OLEDs are Organic Light Emitting Transistors (OLETS). The present invention allows for arrangements employing OLETS to be employed in place of OLEDs and LEDs as appropriate and advantageous wherever mentioned throughout the specification.
-
FIG. 9 depicts anoptimization space 200 for semiconductor (traditional crystal lattice or organic material) diodes comprising attributes of signal switching performance, light emitting performance, and light detection performance. Specific diode materials, diode structure, and diode fabrication approaches 223 can be adjusted to optimize a resultant diode for switching function performance 201 (for example, via use of abrupt junctions), light detection performance 202 (for example via a P-I-N structure comprising a layer of intrinsic semiconducting material between regions of n-type and p-type material, orlight detection performance 203. -
FIG. 10 depicts an exemplarymetric space 1900 of device realizations for optoelectronic devices and regions of optimization and co-optimization. - Specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 can be adjusted to optimize a resultant optoelectrical diode for light detection performance 1901 (for example via a P-I-N structure comprising a layer of intrinsic semiconducting material between regions of n-type and p-type material versus
light emission performance 1902 versuscost 1903. Optimization within the plane defined bylight detection performance 1901 and cost 1903 traditionally result inphotodiodes 1911 while optimization within the plane defined bylight emission performance 1902 and cost 1903 traditionally result inLEDs 1912. The present invention provides for specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 to be adjusted to co-optimize an optoelectrical diode for both goodlight detection performance 1901 andlight emission performance 1902 versuscost 1903. A resulting co-optimized optoelectrical diode can be used for multiplexed light emission and light detection modes. These permit a number of applications as explained in the sections to follow. - Again it is noted that an emerging alternative to OLEDs are Organic Light Emitting Transistors (OLETS). The present invention allows for arrangements employing OLETS to be employed in place of OLEDs and LEDs as appropriate and advantageous wherever mentioned throughout the specification.
-
FIGS. 11-14 depict various exemplary circuits demonstrating various exemplary approaches to detecting light with an LED. These initially introduce the concepts of received light intensity measurement (“detection”) and varying light emission intensity of an LED in terms of variations in D.C. (“direct-current”) voltages and currents. However, light intensity measurement (“detection”) can be accomplished by other means such as LED capacitance effects—for example reverse-biasing the LED to deposit a known charge, removing the reverse bias, and then measuring the time for the charge to then dissipate within the LED. Also, varying the light emission intensity of an LED can be accomplished by other means such as pulse-width-modulation—for example, a duty-cycle of 50% yields 50% of the “constant-on” brightness, a duty-cycle of 50% yields 50% of the “constant-on” brightness, etc. These, too, are provided for by the invention and will be considered again later as variations of the illustrative approaches provided below. - To begin, LED1 in
FIG. 11 is employed as a photodiode, generating a voltage with respect to ground responsive to the intensity of the light received at the optically-exposed portion of the LED-structured semiconducting material. In particular, for at least a range of light intensity levels the voltage generated by LED1 increases monotonically with the received light intensity. This voltage can be amplified by a high-impedance amplifier, preferably with low offset currents. The example ofFIG. 11 shows this amplification performed by a simple operational amplifier (“op amp”) circuit with fractional negative feedback, the fraction determined via a voltage divider. The gain provided by this simple op amp arrangement can be readily recognized by one skilled in the art as -
1+(R f /R g). - The op amp produces an isolated and amplified output voltage that increases, at least for a range, monotonically with increasing light received at the
light detection LED 1. Further in this example illustrative circuit, the output voltage of the op amp is directed to LED100 via current-limiting resistor R100. The result is that the brightness of light emitted by LED100 varies with the level of light received by LED1. - For a simple lab demonstration of this rather remarkable fact, one can choose a TL08x series (TL082, TL084, etc.) or equivalent op amp powered by +12 and −12 volt split power supply, R100 of ˜1 LΩ, and Rf/Rg in a ratio ranging from 1 to 20 depending on the type of LED chosen. LED100 will be dark when LED1 is engulfed in darkness and will be brightly lit when LED1 is exposed to natural levels of ambient room light. For best measurement studies, LED1 could comprise a “water-clear” plastic housing (rather than color-tinted). It should also be noted that the LED1 connection to the amplifier input is of relatively quite high impedance and as such can readily pick up AC fields, radio signals, etc. and is best realized using as physically small electrical surface area and length as possible. In a robust system, electromagnetic shielding is advantageous.
- The demonstration circuit of
FIG. 11 can be improved, modified, and adapted in various ways (for example, by adding voltage and/or current offsets, JFET preamplifiers, etc.), but as shown is sufficient to show that a wide range of conventional LEDs can serve as pixel sensors for an ambient-room light sensor array as can be used in a camera or other room-light imaging system. Additionally, LED100 shows the role an LED can play as a pixel emitter of light. -
FIG. 12 shows a demonstration circuit for the photocurrent of the LED. For at least a range of light intensity levels the photocurrent generated by LED1 increases monotonically with the received light intensity. In this exemplary circuit the photocurrent is directed to a natively high-impedance op amp (for example, a FET input op amp such as the relatively well-known LF-351) set up as an inverting current-to-voltage converter. The magnitude of the transresistance (i.e., the current-to-voltage “gain”) of this inverting current-to-voltage converter is set by the value of the feedback resistor Rf. The resultant circuit operates in a similar fashion to that ofFIG. 11 in that the output voltage of the op amp increases, at least for a range, monotonically with increasing light received at the light detection LED. The inverting current-to-voltage converter inverts the sign of the voltage, and such inversion in sign can be corrected by a later amplification stage, used directly, or is preferred. In other situations it can be advantageous to not have the sign inversion, in which case the LED orientation in the circuit can be reversed, as shown inFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 14 shows an illustrative demonstration arrangement in which an LED can be for a very short duration of time reverse biased and then in a subsequent interval of time the resultant accumulations of charge in the junction capacitance of the LED are discharged. The decrease in charge during discharge through the resistor R results in a voltage that can be measured with respect to a predetermined voltage threshold, for example as can be provided by a (non-hysteretic) comparator or (hysteretic) Schmitt-trigger. The resulting variation in discharge time varies monotonically with the light received by the LED. The illustrative demonstration arrangement provided inFIG. 14 is further shown in the context of connects to the bidirectional I/O pin circuit for a conventional microprocessor. This permits the principal to be readily demonstrated through a simple software program operating on such a microprocessor. Additionally, as will be seen later, the very same circuit arrangement can be used to variably control the emitted light brightness of the LED by modulating the temporal pulse-width of a binary signal at one or both of the microprocessor pins. - For rectangular arrays of LEDs, it is typically useful to interconnect each LED with access wiring arranged to be part of a corresponding matrix wiring arrangement. The matrix wiring arrangement is time-division multiplexed. Such time-division multiplexed arrangements can be used for delivering voltages and currents to selectively illuminate each individual LED at a specific intensity level (including very low or zero values so as to not illuminate).
- An example multiplexing arrangement for a two-dimensional array of LEDs is depicted in
FIG. 15 . Here each of a plurality of normally-open analog switches are sequentially closed for brief disjointed intervals of time. This allows the selection of a particular subset (here, a column) of LEDs to be grounded while leaving all other LEDs in the array not connected to ground. Each of the horizontal lines then can be used to connect to exactly one grounded LED at a time. The plurality of normally-open analog switches inFIG. 15 may be controlled by an address decoder so that the selected subset can be associated with a unique binary address, as suggested inFIG. 16 . The combination of the plurality of normally-open analog switches together with the address decoder form an analog line selector. By connecting the line decoder's address decoder input to a counter, the columns of the LED array can be sequentially scanned. -
FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary adaptation of the arrangement ofFIG. 16 together to form a highly scalable LED array display that also functions as a light-field detector. The various multiplexing switches in this arrangement can be synchronized with the line selector and mode control signal so that each LED very briefly provides periodically updated detection measurement and is free to emit light the rest of the time. A wide range of variations and other possible implementations are possible and implemented in various products. - Such time-division multiplexed arrangements can alternatively be used for selectively measuring voltages or currents of each individual LED. Further, the illumination and measurement time-division multiplexed arrangements themselves can be time-division multiplexed, interleaved, or merged in various ways. As an illustrative example, the arrangement of
FIG. 17 can be reorganized so that the LED, mode control switch, capacitor, and amplifiers are collocated, for example as in the illustrative exemplary arrangement ofFIG. 18 . Such an arrangement can be implemented with, for example, three MOSFET switching transistor configurations, two MOSFET amplifying transistor configurations, a small-area/small-volume capacitor, and an LED element (that is, five transistors, a small capacitor, and an LED). This can be treated as a cell which is interconnected to multiplexing switches and control logic. A wide range of variations and other possible implementations are possible and the example ofFIG. 17 is in no way limiting. For example, the arrangement ofFIG. 17 can be reorganized to decentralize the multiplexing structures so that the LED, mode control switch, multiplexing and sample/hold switches, capacitor, and amplifiers are collocated, for example as in the illustrative exemplary arrangement ofFIG. 19 . Such an arrangement can be implemented with, for example, three MOSFET switching transistor configurations, two MOSFET amplifying transistor configurations, a small-area/small-volume capacitor, and an LED element (that is, five transistors, a small capacitor, and an LED). This can be treated as a cell whose analog signals are directly interconnected to busses. Other arrangements are also possible. - The discussion and development thus far are based on the analog circuit measurement and display arrangement of
FIG. 11 that in turn leverages the photovoltaic properties of LEDs. With minor modifications clear to one skilled in the art, the discussion and development thus far can be modified to operate based on the analog circuit measurement and display arrangements ofFIG. 12 andFIG. 13 that leverage the photocurrrent properties of LEDs. -
FIG. 20 ,FIG. 21 , andFIG. 22 depict an example of how the digital circuit measurement and display arrangement ofFIG. 14 (that in turn leverages discharge times for accumulations of photo-induced charge in the junction capacitance of the LED) can be adapted into the construction developed thus far.FIG. 20 adaptsFIG. 14 to additional include provisions for illuminating the LED with a pulse-modulated emission signal. Noting that the detection process described earlier in conjunction withFIG. 14 can be confined to unperceivably short intervals of time,FIG. 21 illustrates how a pulse-width modulated binary signal may be generated during LED illumination intervals to vary LED emitted light brightness.FIG. 22 illustrates an adaptation of the tri-state and Schmitt-trigger/comparator logic akin to that illustrated in the microprocessor I/O pin interface that may be used to sequentially access subsets of LEDs in an LED array as described in conjunction withFIG. 15 andFIG. 16 . -
FIGS. 23-25 depict exemplary state diagrams for the operation of the LED and the use of input signals and output signals described above. From the viewpoint of the binary mode control signal there are only two states: a detection state and an emission state, as suggested inFIG. 23 . From the viewpoint of the role of the LED in a larger system incorporating a multiplexed circuit arrangement such as that ofFIG. 17 , there may a detection state, an emission state, and an idle state (where there is no emission nor detection occurring), obeying state transition maps such as depicted inFIG. 24 orFIG. 25 . At a further level of detail, there are additional considerations: -
- To emit light, a binary mode control signal can be set to “emit” mode (causing the analog switch to be closed) and the emission light signal must be of sufficient value to cause the LED to emit light (for example, so that the voltage across the LED is above the “turn-on” voltage for that LED).
- If the binary mode control signal is in “emit” mode but the emission light signal is not of such sufficient value, the LED will not illuminate. This can be useful for brightness control (via pulse-width modulation), black-screen display, and other uses. In some embodiments, this may be used to coordinate the light emission of neighboring LEDs in an array while a particular LED in the array is in detection mode.
- If the emission light signal of such sufficient value but the binary mode control signal is in “detect” mode, the LED will not illuminate responsive to the emission light signal. This allows the emission light signal to be varied during a time interval when there is no light emitted, a property useful for multiplexing arrangements.
- During a time interval beginning with the change of state of the binary mode control signal to some settling-time period afterwards, the detection output and/or light emission level may momentarily not be accurate.
- To detect light, the binary mode control signal must be in “detect” mode (causing the analog switch to be open). The detected light signal may be used by a subsequent system or ignored. Intervals where the circuit is in detection mode but the detection signal is ignored may be useful for multiplexing arrangement, in providing guard-intervals for settling time, to coordinate with the light emission of neighboring LEDs in an array, etc.
- To emit light, a binary mode control signal can be set to “emit” mode (causing the analog switch to be closed) and the emission light signal must be of sufficient value to cause the LED to emit light (for example, so that the voltage across the LED is above the “turn-on” voltage for that LED).
-
FIG. 26 depicts an exemplary state transition diagram reflecting the above considerations. The top “Emit Mode” box and bottom “Detect Mode” box reflect the states of an LED from the viewpoint of the binary mode control signal as suggested byFIG. 23 . The two “Idle” states (one in each of the “Emit Mode” box and “Detect Mode” box) ofFIG. 26 reflect (at least in part) the “Idle” state suggested inFIG. 24 and/orFIG. 25 . Within the “Emit Mode” box, transitions between “Emit” and “Idle” may be controlled by emit signal multiplexing arrangements, algorithms for coordinating the light emission of an LED in an array while a neighboring LED in the array is in detection mode, etc. Within the “Detect Mode” box, transitions between “Detect” and “Idle” may be controlled by independent or coordinated multiplexing arrangements, algorithms for coordinating the light emission of an LED in an array while a neighboring LED in the array is in detection mode, etc. In making transitions between states in the boxes, the originating and termination states may be chosen in a manner advantageous for details of various multiplexing and feature embodiments. Transitions between the groups of states within the two boxes correspond to the vast impedance shift invoked by the switch opening and closing as driven by the binary mode control signal. InFIG. 26 , the settling times between these two groups of states are gathered and regarded as a transitional state. - As mentioned earlier, the amplitude of light emitted by an LED can be modulated to lesser values by means of pulse-width modulation (PWM) of a binary waveform. For example, if the binary waveform oscillates between fully illuminated and non-illuminated values, the LED illumination amplitude will be perceived roughly as 50% of the full-on illumination level when the duty-cycle of the pulse is 50%, roughly as 75% of the full-on illumination level when the duty-cycle of the pulse is 75%, roughly as 10% of the full-on illumination level when the duty-cycle of the pulse is 10%, etc. Clearly the larger fraction of time the LED is illuminated (i.e., the larger the duty-cycle), the brighter the perceived light observed emitted from the LED.
-
FIG. 27 (adapted from G. Gu, G. Parthasarathy, P. Burrows, T. Tian, I. Hill, A. Kahn, S. Forrest, “Transparent stacked organic light emitting devices. I. Design principles and transparent compound electrodes,” Journal of Applied Physics, October 1999, vol. 86 no. 8, pp.4067-4075) depicts an exemplary high-level structure of a three-color transparent Stacked OLED (“SOLED”) element as has been developed for use in light-emitting color displays. - The present invention provides for a three-color transparent SOLED element such as those depicted in
FIG. 27 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to be used as-is as a color transparent light sensor. - Alternatively, the present invention provides for analogous structures to be used to implement a three-color transparent light sensor, for example, with reference to
FIG. 10 , by replacing optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized forlight emission performance 1902 with optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized forlight detection performance 1901. The present invention additionally provides for a three-color transparent SOLED element such as those depicted inFIG. 27 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to employ specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 to be adjusted to co-optimize an optoelectrical diode for both goodlight detection performance 1901 andlight emission performance 1902 versuscost 1903. The resulting structure can be used for color light emission, color light sensing, or both. - The invention additionally provides for the alternative use of similar or related structures employing OLETs.
-
FIG. 28 (adapted from http://www.displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011) depicts a conventional “RGB stripe” OLED array as used in a variety of OLED display products.FIG. 29 (also adapted from http://www. displayblog.com/2009/03/26/samsung-oled-pentile-matrix-next-iphone-oled-display/(visited Mar. 23, 2011) depicts a representation of the “PenTile Matrix” OLED array as attributed to Samsung which provides good display performance with a 33% reduction in pixel element count. - The present invention provides for arrays of OLED elements such as those depicted in
FIG. 28 andFIG. 29 other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to be used as-is as a color light sensors. This permits OLED elements in arrays such as those depicted inFIG. 28 andFIG. 29 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to be used for light-field sensing in accordance with aspects of the present invention. - Alternatively, the present invention provides for analogous structures to be used to implement a three-color transparent light sensor, for example, with reference to
FIG. 10 , by replacing optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized forlight emission performance 1902 with optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 optimized forlight detection performance 1901. The present invention additionally provides for OLED elements in arrays such as those depicted inFIG. 27 or of other forms developed for use in light-emitting color displays to employ specific optoelectrical diode materials, structure, and fabrication approaches 1923 to be adjusted to co-optimize an optoelectrical diode for both goodlight detection performance 1901 andlight emission performance 1902 versuscost 1903. The resulting structure can be used for color light emission, color light sensing, or both. - The invention additionally provides for the alternative use of similar or related structures employing OLETs.
- In an embodiment, various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics (such as FETs, resistors, and capacitors) can be used as-is to create an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices well-suited as a color light-field sensor. An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- In an embodiment, various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics (such as FETs, resistors, and capacitors) can be co-optimized to create an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices well-suited as a color light-field sensor. An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- In an embodiment, at least three inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices are transparent. In an embodiment, the at least three transparent inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices are comprised in an array that is overlaid on a display such as an LCD.
- In embodiments provided for by the invention, each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices can be alternately used as a photodetector or as a light emitter. The state transitions of each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in the array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices among the above states can be coordinated in a wide variety of ways to afford various multiplexing, signal distribution, and signal gathering schemes as can be advantageous. An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- In embodiments provided for by the invention, each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can, at any one time, be in one of three states:
-
- A light emission state,
- A light detection state,
- An idle state,
as can be advantageous for various operating strategies.
- The state transitions of each inorganic LED, OLED, or related device in the array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices among the above states can be coordinated in a wide variety of ways to afford various multiplexing, signal distribution, and signal gathering schemes as can be advantageous. An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- Accordingly, in an embodiment various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics (such as FETs, resistors, and capacitors) can be used as-is, adapted, and/or optimized so that the array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices to work well as both a color image display and color light-field sensor. An exemplary general framework underlying such an arrangement is described in pending U.S. patent application 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- The capabilities described thus far can be combined with systems and techniques to be described later in a variety of physical configurations and implementations. A number of example physical configurations and implementations are described here which provide various enablements and advantages to various embodiments and implementations of the invention and their applications. Many variations and alternatives are possible and are accordingly anticipated by the invention, and the example physical configurations and implementations are in no way limiting of the invention.
- When implementing lensless imaging cameras as taught in U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), U.S. 13/072,588, and U.S. 61/517,454, an optical vignetting arrangement is needed for the light-sensing LEDs. This can be implemented in various ways. In one example approach, LEDs in the LED array themselves can be structured so that light-sensing elements (including photodiodes or LEDs used in light-sensing modes) are partially enveloped in a well comprising walls formed in associating with at least light-emitting LEDs in the LED array. In a variation of this the light emitting LEDs can also be used in a light sensing mode, in implementing a tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention. In another variation, other types of light sensing elements (for example, photodiodes) can in implementing an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention.
FIG. 30 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a vignetting arrangement as is useful for implementing a lensless imaging camera as taught in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), U.S. 13/072,588, and U.S. 61/517,454. In another approach to be described shortly, an LCD otherwise used for display can be used to create vignetting apertures. The invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the LED array and LCD as needed or advantageous. In another approach, a vignetting arrangement is created as a separate structure and overlaid atop the LED array. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. The output of the light-field sensor can also or alternatively be used to implement a tactile user interface or proximate hand gesture user interface as described later in the detailed description. - Leaving the vignetting considerations involved in lensless imaging, attention is now directed to arrangements wherein a transparent LED array, for example implemented with arrays of transparent OLEDs interconnected with transparent conductors, is overlaid atop an LCD display. The transparent conductors can be comprised of materials such as indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide (“FTO”), doped zinc oxide, organic polymers, carbon nanotubes, graphene ribbons, etc.
FIG. 31 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a transparent OLED array overlaid upon an LCD visual display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically) LED backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD visual display from behind. Such an arrangement may be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. The invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the OLED array and LCD as needed or advantageous. It is noted in one embodiment the LCD and LED array can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. -
FIG. 32 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first (transparent OLED) LED array used for at least optical sensing overlaid upon a second LED array used for at least visual display. In an embodiment, the second LED array can be an OLED array. In an embodiment, either or both of the LED arrays can comprise photodiodes. Such an arrangement can be employed to allow the first array to be optimized for one or more purposes, at least one being sensing, and the second LED array to be optimized for one or more purposes, at least one being visual display. Such an arrangement may be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention. In one approach the second LED array is used for both visual display and tactile user interface illumination light and the first (transparent OLED) LED array is used for tactile user interface light sensing. In another approach, the first (transparent OLED) LED array is used for both tactile user interface illumination light and light sensing, while the second LED array is used for visual display. In an embodiment, the second LED array is used for visual display and further comprises vignetting structures (as described above) and serves as a light-field sensor to enable the implementation of a lensless imaging camera. Such an arrangement can be used to implement a light-field sensor and a lensless imaging camera as described earlier. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. The invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the first LED array and second LED array as needed or advantageous. It is noted in one embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. -
FIG. 33 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising a first (transparent OLED) LED array used for at least visual display overlaid upon a second LED array used for at least optical sensing. In an embodiment, the second LED array can be an OLED array. In an embodiment, either or both of the LED arrays can comprise photodiodes. Such an arrangement can be employed to allow the first array to be optimized for to be optimized for other purposes, at least one being visual display, and the second LED array to be optimized for one or more purposes, at least one being sensing. Such an arrangement may be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention. In one approach the first LED array is used for both visual display and tactile user interface illumination light and the second (transparent OLED) LED array is used for tactile user interface light sensing. In another approach, the second (transparent OLED) LED array is used for both tactile user interface illumination light and light sensing, while the first LED array is used for visual display. In an embodiment, the second LED array comprises vignetting structures (as described above) and serves as a light-field sensor to enable the implementation of a lensless imaging camera. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. The invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the first LED array and second LED array as needed or advantageous. It is noted in one embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. -
FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary implementation comprising an LCD display, used for at least visual display and vignette formation, overlaid upon a second LED array, used for at least backlighting of the LCD and optical sensing. In an embodiment, the LED array can be an OLED array. In an embodiment, the LED array can comprise also photodiodes. Such an arrangement can be used to implement an optical tactile user interface arrangement as enabled by the present invention. Such an arrangement can be used to implement a light-field sensor and a lensless imaging camera as described earlier. The invention provides for inclusion of coordinated multiplexing or other coordinated between the LCD and LED array as needed or advantageous. It is noted in one embodiment the LCD and LED array can be fabricated on the same substrate, the first array layered atop the second (or vice versa) while in another embodiment the two LED arrays can be fabricated separately and later assembled together to form layered structure. Other related arrangements and variations are possible and are anticipated by the invention. - Multitouch sensors on cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices typically utilize a capacitive matrix proximity sensor.
FIG. 35 an exemplary arrangement employed in contemporary cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other portable devices wherein a transparent capacitive matrix proximity sensor is overlaid over an LCD display, which is in turn overlaid on a (typically LED) backlight used to create and direct light though the LCD display from behind. Each of the capacitive matrix and the LCD have considerable associated electronic circuitry and software associated with them. -
FIG. 36 depicts an exemplary modification of the arrangement depicted inFIG. 35 wherein the LCD display and backlight are replaced with an OLED array used as a visual display. Such an arrangement has started to be incorporated in recent contemporary cellphone, smartphone, PDA, tablet computers, and other portable device products by several manufacturers. Note the considerable reduction in optoelectronic, electronic, and processor components over the arrangement depicted inFIG. 35 . This is one of the motivations for using OLED displays in these emerging product implementations. -
FIG. 37 depicts an exemplary arrangement provided for by the invention comprising only a LED array. The LEDs in the LED array may be OLEDs or inorganic LEDs. Such an arrangement can be used as a tactile user interface, or as a combined a visual display and tactile user interface, as will be described next. Note the considerable reduction in optoelectronic, electronic, and processor components over the both the arrangement depicted inFIG. 35 and the arrangement depicted inFIG. 36 . This is one of the advantages of many embodiments of the present invention. - Arrays of inorganic-LEDs have been used to create a tactile proximity sensor array as taught by Han in U.S. Pat. No. 7,598,949 and as depicted in the video available at http://cs.nyu.edut about.jhan/ledtouch/index.html).
FIG. 38 depicts a representative exemplary arrangement wherein light emitted by neighboring LEDs is reflected from a finger (or other object) back to an LED acting as a light sensor. - In its most primitive form, such LED-array tactile proximity array implementations need to be operated in a darkened environment (as seen in the video available at http://cs.nyu.edut about.jhan/ledtouch/index.html). The invention provides for additional systems and methods for not requiring darkness in the user environment in order to operate the LED array as a tactile proximity sensor.
- In one approach, potential interference from ambient light in the surrounding user environment can be limited by using an opaque pliable and/or elastically deformable surface covering the LED array that is appropriately reflective (directionally, amorphously, etc. as may be advantageous in a particular design) on the side facing the LED array. Such a system and method can be readily implemented in a wide variety of ways as is clear to one skilled in the art.
- In another approach, potential interference from ambient light in the surrounding user environment can be limited by employing amplitude, phase, or pulse width modulated circuitry and/or software to control the light emission and receiving process. For example, in an implementation the LED array can be configured to emit modulated light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform and respond to only modulated light signal components extracted from the received light signals comprising that same carrier frequency or time-variational waveform. Such a system and method can be readily implemented in a wide variety of ways as is clear to one skilled in the art.
- The light measurements used for implementing a tactile user interface can be from unvignetted LEDs, unvignetted photodiodes, vignetted LEDs, vignetted photodiodes, or combinations of two or more of these.
- In one embodiment provided for by the invention, some LEDs in an array of LEDs are used as photodetectors while other elements in the array are used as light emitters. The light emitter LEDs can be used for display purposes and also for illuminating a finger (or other object) sufficiently near the display.
FIG. 39 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring element designated to emit light to illuminate the finger for example as depicted inFIG. 38 . Other arrangements of illuminating and sensing LEDs are of course possible and are anticipated by the invention. - It is also noted that by dedicating functions to specific LEDs as light emitters and other elements as light sensors, it is possible to optimize the function of each element for its particular role. For example, in an example embodiment the elements used as light sensors can be optimized photodiodes. In another example embodiment, the elements used as light sensors can be the same type of LED used as light emitters. In yet another example embodiment, the elements used as light sensors can be LEDs that are slightly modified versions the of type of LED used as light emitters.
- In an example embodiment, the arrangement described above can be implemented only as a user interface. In an example implementation, the LED array can be implemented as a transparent OLED array that can be overlaid atop another display element such as an LCD or another LED array. In an implementation, LEDs providing user interface illumination provide light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform as described earlier.
- In an alternative example embodiment, the arrangement described above can serve as both a display and a tactile user interface. In an example implementation, the light emitting LEDs in the array are time-division multiplexed between visual display functions and user interface illumination functions. In another example implementation, some light emitting LEDs in the array are used for visual display functions while light emitting LEDs in the array are used for user interface illumination functions. In an implementation, LEDs providing user interface illumination provide modulated illumination light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform. In yet another implementation approach, the modulated illumination light is combined with the visual display light by combining a modulated illumination light signal with a visual display light signal presented to each of a plurality of LEDs within the in the LED array. Such a plurality of LEDs can comprise a subset of the LED array or can comprise the entire LED array.
-
FIG. 40 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to serve as a “guard area,” for example not emitting light, these in turn surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light used to illuminate the finger for example as depicted inFIG. 38 . Such an arrangement can be implemented in various physical and multiplexed ways as advantageous to various applications or usage environments. - In an embodiment, the illumination light used for tactile user interface purposes can comprise an invisible wavelength, for example infrared or ultraviolet.
- In another embodiment provided for by the invention, each LED in an array of LEDs can be used as a photodetector as well as a light emitter wherein each individual LED can either transmit or receive information at a given instant. In an embodiment, each LED in a plurality of LEDs in the LED array can sequentially be selected to be in a receiving mode while others adjacent or near to it are placed in a light emitting mode. Such a plurality of LEDs can comprise a subset of the LED array or can comprise the entire LED array. A particular LED in receiving mode can pick up reflected light from the finger, provided by said neighboring illuminating-mode LEDs. In such an approach, local illumination and sensing arrangements such as that depicted
FIG. 39 (or variations anticipated by the invention) can be selectively implemented in a scanning and multiplexing arrangement. -
FIG. 40 depicts an exemplary arrangement wherein a particular LED designated to act as a light sensor is surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to serve as a “guard” area, for example not emitting light, these in turn surrounded by immediately-neighboring LEDs designated to emit light used to illuminate the finger for example as depicted inFIG. 38 . Such an arrangement can be implemented in various multiplexed ways as advantageous to various applications or usage environments. - In an alternative example embodiment, the arrangement described above can serve as both a display and a tactile user interface. In an example implementation, the light emitting LEDs in the array are time-division multiplexed between visual display functions and user interface illumination functions. In another example implementation, some light emitting LEDs in the array are used for visual display functions while light emitting LEDs in the array are used for user interface illumination functions. In an implementation, LEDs providing user interface illumination provide modulated illumination light that is modulated at a particular carrier frequency and/or with a particular time-variational waveform. In yet another implementation approach, the modulated illumination light is combined with the visual display light by combining a modulated illumination light signal with a visual display light signal presented to each of a plurality of LEDs within the in the LED array. Such a plurality of LEDs can comprise a subset of the LED array or can comprise the entire LED array.
- In an embodiment, various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices and associated co-located electronics (such as FETs, resistors, and capacitors) can be used as-is, adapted, and/or optimized so as to create an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices that is well-suited as for operation as a color lensless imaging camera according to the general framework described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- Co-pending patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 12/471,275 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), U.S. 12/419,229, U.S. 13/072,588, and U.S. 61/517,454 teach, among other things, the use of an LED array, outfitted with micro-optical arrangements that create optical occulting/vignetting and interfaced with a new type of “image formation” signal processing, as a (monochrome or color) camera for image or video applications.
- Image formation is performed without a conventional large shared lens and associated separation distance between lens and image sensor, resulting in a “lensless camera.”
- Further, the similarities between the spectral detection band and the spectral emission bands of each of a plurality of types of colored-light LED may be used to create a color light-field sensor from a color LED array display such as that currently employed in “LED TV” products, large outdoor color-image LED displays (as seen in advertising signs and sports stadiums), and recently (in the form of OLED displays) in Samsung Smartphones.
- In an embodiment, the various materials, physical processes, structures, and fabrication techniques used in creating the LED array and associated co-located electronics (such as FETs, resistors, and capacitors) may be used to further co-optimize a high performance monochrome LED array or color LED array to work well as both an image display and light-field sensor compatible with synthetic optics image formation algorithms using methods, systems, and process such as those aforedescribed.
- The examples above employ an LED array multiplexed in between light-emitting modes and light-sensing modes. The examples above employ an LED array to be used in visual (image, video, GUI) display modes and lensless imaging camera modes. The invention provides for these to be integrated together into a common system, leveraging one or more of a shared electronics infrastructure, shared processor infrastructure, and shared algorithmic infrastructure.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both a color image display and color light-field sensor compatible with synthetic optics image formation algorithms using methods, systems, and process such as those described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,229 (priority date Jan. 27, 1999), pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/471,275 (priority date May 25, 2008), and in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. U.S. 13/072,588 and U.S. 61/517,454.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display and camera functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs tablet computers, and other such devices.
- The invention further provides for a common LED array multiplexed in between light-emitting display modes and light-sensing lensless imaging camera modes. Here the LED array to be time multiplexed between “image capture” and “image display” modes so as to operate as an integrated camera/display. The invention provides for these to be integrated together into a common system, leveraging one or more of a shared electronics infrastructure, shared processor infrastructure, and shared algorithmic infrastructure.
- The integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices. The integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- Employing these constructions, the invention provides for an LED array image display, used in place of a LCD image display, to serve as a time-multiplexed array of light emitter and light detector elements. The resulting system does not require an interleaving or stacking of functionally-differentiated (with respect to light detection and light emission) elements. This is particularly advantageous as there is a vast simplification in manufacturing and in fact close or precise alignment with current LED array image display manufacturing techniques and existing LED array image display products.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display and camera functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be used to implement a tactile (touch-based) user interface sensor.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both a color image visual display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface.
- The integrated tactile user interface sensor capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display and camera functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In an approach to the invention, the LED array is multiplexed among display, camera, and tactile user interface sensor modalities. In an exemplary associated embodiment of the invention, an LED array can be used as a display, camera, and touch-based user interface sensor.
- The integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices. The integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- The integrated tactile user interface sensor capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display, camera, and tactile user interface sensor functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as smartphones PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface sensor as, for example, replacing the photodiode sensor arrangement used in the M.I.T. BI-DI user interface. In one approach, the M.I.T. BI-DI photodiode sensor arrangement behind the LCD array can be replaced with an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices as provided for in the current invention. In another approach, the M.I.T. BI-DI photodiode sensor arrangement behind the LCD array, the LCD itself, and the associated backlight can be replaced with an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices as provided for in the current invention.
- The integrated proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display, camera, and tactile user interface sensor functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both a visual image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface sensor as, for example, replacing the photodiode sensor and LCD display arrangement used in the M.I.T. BI-DI user interface. In an embodiment an array of inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, or related devices can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a tactile user interface sensor, and also as a visual display.
- The integrated proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display, camera, and tactile user interface sensor functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface sensor, lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- The integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices. The integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- The integrated proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display, camera, and tactile user interface sensor functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, tactile user interface (touchscreen), and visual image display.
- Further, the integrated combination of a tactile user interface (touch screen) capability and a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can provide a more flexible, sophisticated, and higher accuracy user interface.
- Further, as the integrated tactile user interface (touch screen) and a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capabilities employ the light filed sensor modalities for the LED array, this approach can remove the need for a tactile user interface sensor (such as a capacitive matrix proximity sensor) and associated components.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display, camera, proximate gesture user interface, and tactile user interface (touch screen) functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- In an embodiment, an array of color inorganic LEDs, OLEDs, OLETs, or related devices, together with associated signal processing aspects of the invention, can be adapted to function as both an image display and light-field sensor which can be used to implement a proximate gesture user interface, tactile user interface (touchscreen), lensless imaging camera, and visual image display.
- The integrated camera/display operation removes the need for a screen-direction camera and interface electronics in mobile devices. The integrated camera/display operation can also improve eye contact in mobile devices.
- Further, the integrated combination of a tactile user interface (touch screen) capability and a proximate (hand image) gesture user interface capability can provide a more flexible, sophisticated, and higher accuracy user interface.
- Either of these arrangements allows for a common processor to be used for display, camera, proximate gesture user interface, and tactile user interface (touch screen) functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count and system complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
- The arrangements described above allow for a common processor to be used for display and camera functionalities. The result dramatically decreases the component count, system hardware complexity, and inter-chip communications complexity for contemporary and future mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices.
-
FIG. 41 depicts an exemplary reference arrangement comprised by mobile devices such as cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other such devices. -
FIG. 42 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement ofFIG. 41 wherein an LED array replaces the display, camera, and touch sensor and is interfaced by a common processor that replaces associated support hardware. In an embodiment, the common processor is a Graphics Processing Unit (“GPU”) or comprises a GPU architecture. -
FIG. 43 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement ofFIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes at least some touch-based user interface software. -
FIG. 44 depicts an exemplary variation of the exemplary reference arrangement ofFIG. 42 wherein the common processor associated with the LED array further executes all touch-based user interface software. - In an embodiment, a capacitive sensor may be used to supplement the optical tactile sensing capabilities describe thus far.
FIG. 45 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a microoptics vignetting array and a capacitive matrix sensor.FIG. 46 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising an LED array preceded by a microoptics vignetting array that is physically and electrically configured to also function as a capacitive matrix sensor. This can be accomplished by making at least some portions of the microoptics vignetting array electrically conductive. - While the invention has been described in detail with reference to disclosed embodiments, various modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in this technological field. It is to be appreciated that features described with respect to one embodiment typically can be applied to other embodiments.
- The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. Therefore, the invention properly is to be construed with reference to the claims.
- Although exemplary embodiments have been provided in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations could be made thereto without departing from spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by the appended claims. Variations described for exemplary embodiments may be realized in any combination desirable for each particular application. Thus particular limitations, and/or embodiment enhancements described herein, which may have particular advantages to a particular application, need not be used for all applications. Also, not all limitations need be implemented in methods, systems, and/or apparatuses including one or more concepts described with relation to the provided exemplary embodiments.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/488,295 US20170220201A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2017-04-14 | Led/oled array approach to integrated display, focusing lensless light-field camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US36318110P | 2010-07-09 | 2010-07-09 | |
US13/180,345 US9626023B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-11 | LED/OLED array approach to integrated display, lensless-camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors |
US15/488,295 US20170220201A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2017-04-14 | Led/oled array approach to integrated display, focusing lensless light-field camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/180,345 Continuation US9626023B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-11 | LED/OLED array approach to integrated display, lensless-camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170220201A1 true US20170220201A1 (en) | 2017-08-03 |
Family
ID=45437916
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/180,345 Expired - Fee Related US9626023B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-11 | LED/OLED array approach to integrated display, lensless-camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors |
US15/488,295 Abandoned US20170220201A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2017-04-14 | Led/oled array approach to integrated display, focusing lensless light-field camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/180,345 Expired - Fee Related US9626023B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-11 | LED/OLED array approach to integrated display, lensless-camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US9626023B2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160170110A1 (en) * | 2010-11-02 | 2016-06-16 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Thin-film broadband and wide-angle devices for generating and sampling polarization states |
US11303858B1 (en) | 2021-04-23 | 2022-04-12 | Avalon Holographics Inc. | Direct projection multiplexed light field display |
US11403983B2 (en) | 2019-09-02 | 2022-08-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Display controller, display system including the display controller, and method of operating the display controller |
WO2022221933A1 (en) * | 2021-04-23 | 2022-10-27 | Avalon Holographics Inc. | Direct projection multiplexed light field display |
Families Citing this family (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8125559B2 (en) * | 2008-05-25 | 2012-02-28 | Avistar Communications Corporation | Image formation for large photosensor array surfaces |
US9176608B1 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2015-11-03 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Camera based sensor for motion detection |
US20130147743A1 (en) * | 2011-12-12 | 2013-06-13 | Lester F. Ludwig | Spherical Touch Sensors and Signal/Power Architectures for Trackballs, Globes, Displays, and Other Applications |
US8664865B2 (en) * | 2012-03-27 | 2014-03-04 | General Electric Company | Lighting system having an OLED light sensor |
US20140118257A1 (en) * | 2012-10-29 | 2014-05-01 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Gesture detection systems |
KR102059359B1 (en) | 2012-11-13 | 2019-12-26 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method of operating and manufacturing display device, and display device |
DE102013201212A1 (en) * | 2013-01-25 | 2014-07-31 | Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh | Method for operating an organic optoelectronic component |
US9792120B2 (en) | 2013-03-05 | 2017-10-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Anticipated prefetching for a parent core in a multi-core chip |
US9407856B2 (en) * | 2013-05-30 | 2016-08-02 | Vizio, Inc. | Transparent FIPEL backlight panels which display colored light from a front surface to a light modulator and a white light from a back surface |
US20150001941A1 (en) * | 2013-06-28 | 2015-01-01 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Systems and Methods for Power Management |
US9594019B1 (en) | 2013-08-09 | 2017-03-14 | Lester F. Ludwig | Optical tomography for microscopy, cell cytometry, microplate array instrumentation, crystallography, and other applications |
WO2015081327A1 (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2015-06-04 | Chou Stephen Y | Light emitting diode, photodiode, displays, and method for forming the same |
US11113941B2 (en) | 2015-02-27 | 2021-09-07 | Carrier Corporation | Ambient light sensor in a hazard detector and a method of using the same |
EP3163633B1 (en) | 2015-10-28 | 2021-09-01 | Nokia Technologies Oy | A light-based sensor apparatus and associated methods |
CN106251805A (en) * | 2016-02-04 | 2016-12-21 | 北京智谷睿拓技术服务有限公司 | Display control method and equipment |
US20180053811A1 (en) | 2016-08-22 | 2018-02-22 | Emagin Corporation | Arrangement of color sub-pixels for full color oled and method of manufacturing same |
US11437451B2 (en) | 2016-09-22 | 2022-09-06 | Emagin Corporation | Large area display and method for making same |
US10777114B2 (en) * | 2017-04-11 | 2020-09-15 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Display panel, display device, and operation method of display device |
US11157111B2 (en) * | 2017-08-29 | 2021-10-26 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Ultrafine LED display that includes sensor elements |
CN107706223B (en) * | 2017-09-29 | 2020-08-14 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | OLED display structure, display, space point positioning system and method |
US10764975B2 (en) * | 2018-03-30 | 2020-09-01 | Facebook Technologies, Llc | Pulse-width-modulation control of micro light emitting diode |
CN108682389A (en) * | 2018-05-16 | 2018-10-19 | 上海瀚莅电子科技有限公司 | Pixel circuit and display device |
CN110543050B (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2021-11-23 | 上海天马微电子有限公司 | Display panel, display device and compensation method of display device |
CN110751113B (en) * | 2019-10-24 | 2023-01-13 | 维沃移动通信有限公司 | Scanning method and electronic equipment |
KR20220043544A (en) * | 2020-09-29 | 2022-04-05 | 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 | Light emitting display apparatus |
KR20220076107A (en) * | 2020-11-30 | 2022-06-08 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Display module and display apparatus having the same |
EP4033476A4 (en) | 2020-11-30 | 2023-01-25 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Display module and display device comprising same |
CN113778273B (en) * | 2021-07-29 | 2022-12-23 | 荣耀终端有限公司 | Light spot display method, electronic device and computer readable storage medium |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110069080A1 (en) * | 2009-09-23 | 2011-03-24 | Peter Dobrich | Enhanced Display |
US20120007898A1 (en) * | 2009-01-30 | 2012-01-12 | Ndsu Research Foundation | Infra-extensible led array controller for light emission and/or light sensing |
US20120194493A1 (en) * | 2011-01-28 | 2012-08-02 | Broadcom Corporation | Apparatus and Method for Using an LED for Backlighting and Ambient Light Sensing |
Family Cites Families (135)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS62267610A (en) | 1986-05-16 | 1987-11-20 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Detecting system for rotational angle of object pattern |
DE3732519A1 (en) | 1987-09-26 | 1989-04-06 | Olympia Aeg | ARRANGEMENT FOR ENTERING AND PROCESSING CHARACTERS AND / OR GRAPHIC PATTERNS |
GB2232251A (en) | 1989-05-08 | 1990-12-05 | Philips Electronic Associated | Touch sensor array systems |
US5237647A (en) | 1989-09-15 | 1993-08-17 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Computer aided drawing in three dimensions |
US5347295A (en) | 1990-10-31 | 1994-09-13 | Go Corporation | Control of a computer through a position-sensed stylus |
US5471008A (en) | 1990-11-19 | 1995-11-28 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho | MIDI control apparatus |
US5341133A (en) | 1991-05-09 | 1994-08-23 | The Rowland Institute For Science, Inc. | Keyboard having touch sensor keys for conveying information electronically |
JP3233659B2 (en) | 1991-08-14 | 2001-11-26 | 株式会社フェルナンデス | Electric stringed musical instrument with string vibration sustaining device |
US5475214A (en) | 1991-10-15 | 1995-12-12 | Interactive Light, Inc. | Musical sound effects controller having a radiated emission space |
US5442168A (en) | 1991-10-15 | 1995-08-15 | Interactive Light, Inc. | Dynamically-activated optical instrument for producing control signals having a self-calibration means |
JPH0769767B2 (en) | 1991-10-16 | 1995-07-31 | インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレイション | Touch overlay for detecting finger touch or stylus position, and detection system |
CA2081246A1 (en) | 1991-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | Kenji Tumura | Electric stringed instrument having a device for sustaining the vibration of a string and an electromagnetic driver for the device |
US5848187A (en) | 1991-11-18 | 1998-12-08 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Method and apparatus for entering and manipulating spreadsheet cell data |
US5335557A (en) | 1991-11-26 | 1994-08-09 | Taizo Yasutake | Touch sensitive input control device |
JPH0627963A (en) | 1992-01-14 | 1994-02-04 | Fuerunandesu:Kk | Electronic stringed instrument |
DE69324067T2 (en) | 1992-06-08 | 1999-07-15 | Synaptics Inc | Object position detector |
US5889236A (en) | 1992-06-08 | 1999-03-30 | Synaptics Incorporated | Pressure sensitive scrollbar feature |
US5880411A (en) | 1992-06-08 | 1999-03-09 | Synaptics, Incorporated | Object position detector with edge motion feature and gesture recognition |
US5440072A (en) | 1992-09-25 | 1995-08-08 | Willis; Raymon A. | System for rejuvenating vintage organs and pianos |
US5459282A (en) | 1992-09-25 | 1995-10-17 | Willis; Raymon A. | System for rejuvenating vintage organs and pianos |
US5357048A (en) | 1992-10-08 | 1994-10-18 | Sgroi John J | MIDI sound designer with randomizer function |
EP0593386A3 (en) | 1992-10-16 | 1996-07-31 | Ibm | Method and apparatus for accessing touch screen desktop objects via fingerprint recognition |
US5563632A (en) | 1993-04-30 | 1996-10-08 | Microtouch Systems, Inc. | Method of and apparatus for the elimination of the effects of internal interference in force measurement systems, including touch - input computer and related displays employing touch force location measurement techniques |
US5592752A (en) | 1993-05-13 | 1997-01-14 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Process and an apparatus for producing teas |
US5665927A (en) | 1993-06-30 | 1997-09-09 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for inputting musical data without requiring selection of a displayed icon |
US5675100A (en) | 1993-11-03 | 1997-10-07 | Hewlett; Walter B. | Method for encoding music printing information in a MIDI message |
US5841428A (en) | 1993-11-05 | 1998-11-24 | Intertactile Technologies Corporation | Rotary circuit control devices with changeable graphics |
US5592572A (en) | 1993-11-05 | 1997-01-07 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Health And Human Services | Automated portrait/landscape mode detection on a binary image |
US5748763A (en) | 1993-11-18 | 1998-05-05 | Digimarc Corporation | Image steganography system featuring perceptually adaptive and globally scalable signal embedding |
US5565641A (en) | 1994-03-28 | 1996-10-15 | Gruenbaum; Leon | Relativistic electronic musical instrument |
US5668338A (en) | 1994-11-02 | 1997-09-16 | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | Wavetable audio synthesizer with low frequency oscillators for tremolo and vibrato effects |
US6047073A (en) | 1994-11-02 | 2000-04-04 | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | Digital wavetable audio synthesizer with delay-based effects processing |
US5659466A (en) | 1994-11-02 | 1997-08-19 | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | Monolithic PC audio circuit with enhanced digital wavetable audio synthesizer |
JP3129380B2 (en) | 1994-12-07 | 2001-01-29 | ヤマハ株式会社 | Electronic musical instrument keyboard device |
US5932827A (en) | 1995-01-09 | 1999-08-03 | Osborne; Gary T. | Sustainer for a musical instrument |
TW283221B (en) | 1995-01-17 | 1996-08-11 | Sega Enterprises Kk | |
US5591945A (en) | 1995-04-19 | 1997-01-07 | Elo Touchsystems, Inc. | Acoustic touch position sensor using higher order horizontally polarized shear wave propagation |
US5659145A (en) | 1995-04-27 | 1997-08-19 | Weil; Robert P. | Foot operated audio signal controller with lighted visual reference |
JP3552366B2 (en) | 1995-06-09 | 2004-08-11 | ヤマハ株式会社 | Music control device |
US5801340A (en) | 1995-06-29 | 1998-09-01 | Invotronics Manufacturing | Proximity sensor |
JPH0944150A (en) | 1995-08-01 | 1997-02-14 | Kawai Musical Instr Mfg Co Ltd | Electronic keyboard musical instrument |
US5724985A (en) | 1995-08-02 | 1998-03-10 | Pacesetter, Inc. | User interface for an implantable medical device using an integrated digitizer display screen |
US5719561A (en) | 1995-10-25 | 1998-02-17 | Gilbert R. Gonzales | Tactile communication device and method |
US6107997A (en) | 1996-06-27 | 2000-08-22 | Ure; Michael J. | Touch-sensitive keyboard/mouse and computing device using the same |
US5786540A (en) | 1996-03-05 | 1998-07-28 | Westlund; Robert L. | Controller apparatus for music sequencer |
US6215910B1 (en) | 1996-03-28 | 2001-04-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Table-based compression with embedded coding |
US5748184A (en) | 1996-05-28 | 1998-05-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Virtual pointing device for touchscreens |
JP3666129B2 (en) | 1996-07-11 | 2005-06-29 | ヤマハ株式会社 | Force control device of the operator |
US5763806A (en) | 1996-07-15 | 1998-06-09 | Willis; Raymon A. | Method and apparatus for midifying vintage organs and pianos |
US5850051A (en) | 1996-08-15 | 1998-12-15 | Yamaha Corporation | Method and apparatus for creating an automatic accompaniment pattern on the basis of analytic parameters |
US6728775B1 (en) | 1997-03-17 | 2004-04-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Multiple multicasting of multimedia streams |
JPH10258181A (en) | 1997-03-18 | 1998-09-29 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Operation device for game machine |
GB9708464D0 (en) | 1997-04-25 | 1997-06-18 | Raychem Ltd | Converter for resistive touchscreens |
US5827989A (en) | 1997-06-23 | 1998-10-27 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for representing a musical event and for converting the musical event into a series of discrete events |
US5852251A (en) | 1997-06-25 | 1998-12-22 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Method and apparatus for real-time dynamic midi control |
US6037937A (en) | 1997-12-04 | 2000-03-14 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Navigation tool for graphical user interface |
US6310610B1 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 2001-10-30 | Nortel Networks Limited | Intelligent touch display |
JP3419290B2 (en) | 1997-12-27 | 2003-06-23 | ヤマハ株式会社 | Tone / image generator and storage medium |
US6408087B1 (en) | 1998-01-13 | 2002-06-18 | Stmicroelectronics, Inc. | Capacitive semiconductor user input device |
US6392636B1 (en) | 1998-01-22 | 2002-05-21 | Stmicroelectronics, Inc. | Touchpad providing screen cursor/pointer movement control |
WO1999038149A1 (en) | 1998-01-26 | 1999-07-29 | Wayne Westerman | Method and apparatus for integrating manual input |
EP1064786A4 (en) * | 1998-01-27 | 2005-09-28 | Collaboration Properties Inc | Multifunction video communication service device |
JPH11296166A (en) | 1998-04-09 | 1999-10-29 | Yamaha Corp | Note display method, medium recording note display program, beat display method and medium recording beat display program |
US6400836B2 (en) | 1998-05-15 | 2002-06-04 | International Business Machines Corporation | Combined fingerprint acquisition and control device |
US6610917B2 (en) | 1998-05-15 | 2003-08-26 | Lester F. Ludwig | Activity indication, external source, and processing loop provisions for driven vibrating-element environments |
US6288317B1 (en) | 1998-05-29 | 2001-09-11 | Raymon A. Willis | Real time transmission of keyboard musical performance |
US6140565A (en) | 1998-06-08 | 2000-10-31 | Yamaha Corporation | Method of visualizing music system by combination of scenery picture and player icons |
US6100461A (en) | 1998-06-10 | 2000-08-08 | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | Wavetable cache using simplified looping |
US5969283A (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1999-10-19 | Looney Productions, Llc | Music organizer and entertainment center |
US6051769A (en) | 1998-11-25 | 2000-04-18 | Brown, Jr.; Donival | Computerized reading display |
US6793619B1 (en) | 1999-06-09 | 2004-09-21 | Yaacov Blumental | Computer-implemented method and system for giving a user an impression of tactile feedback |
US7030860B1 (en) | 1999-10-08 | 2006-04-18 | Synaptics Incorporated | Flexible transparent touch sensing system for electronic devices |
EP1156610A3 (en) | 2000-05-19 | 2005-01-26 | Martin Lotze | Method and system for automatic selection of musical compositions and/or sound recordings |
WO2002016875A1 (en) | 2000-08-24 | 2002-02-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for querying target information and navigating within a card view, computer program product and navigation device |
JP2003000943A (en) | 2001-06-19 | 2003-01-07 | Sony Corp | Memory card, portable type information terminal and information processing method, recording medium and program |
US6703552B2 (en) | 2001-07-19 | 2004-03-09 | Lippold Haken | Continuous music keyboard |
US7611409B2 (en) | 2001-09-20 | 2009-11-03 | Igt | Method and apparatus for registering a mobile device with a gaming machine |
DE10146996A1 (en) | 2001-09-25 | 2003-04-30 | Gerd Reime | Circuit with an opto-electronic display content |
US7348946B2 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2008-03-25 | Intel Corporation | Energy sensing light emitting diode display |
US20060252530A1 (en) | 2003-01-08 | 2006-11-09 | Igt | Mobile device for providing filtered casino information based on real time data |
KR100540399B1 (en) | 2003-05-23 | 2006-01-10 | 주식회사 옵투스 | Multi-campaign assignment apparatus considering overlapping recommendation problem |
US7961909B2 (en) | 2006-03-08 | 2011-06-14 | Electronic Scripting Products, Inc. | Computer interface employing a manipulated object with absolute pose detection component and a display |
US7620915B2 (en) | 2004-02-13 | 2009-11-17 | Ludwig Lester F | Electronic document editing employing multiple cursors |
US20050200296A1 (en) * | 2004-02-24 | 2005-09-15 | Naugler W. E.Jr. | Method and device for flat panel emissive display using shielded or partially shielded sensors to detect user screen inputs |
FR2869723A1 (en) | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-04 | Thomson Licensing Sa | NON-CONTACT TRANSITION ELEMENT BETWEEN A WAVEGUIDE AND A MOCRORUBAN LINE |
US20060001914A1 (en) * | 2004-06-30 | 2006-01-05 | Mesmer Ralph M | Color scanner display |
US7598949B2 (en) | 2004-10-22 | 2009-10-06 | New York University | Multi-touch sensing light emitting diode display and method for using the same |
US8678901B1 (en) | 2005-09-07 | 2014-03-25 | Bally Gaming | System gaming |
KR20070033532A (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2007-03-27 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Touch sensible display device and driving apparatus therefor and method of processing sensing signals |
US7864160B2 (en) | 2005-10-05 | 2011-01-04 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Interleaved electrodes for touch sensing |
US7969418B2 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2011-06-28 | Cherif Atia Algreatly | 3-D computer input device and method |
US8621345B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2013-12-31 | Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. | Intercepting text strings to prevent exposing secure information |
US8139045B2 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2012-03-20 | Lg Display Co., Ltd. | Display device having multi-touch recognizing function and driving method thereof |
CN101211246B (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2010-06-23 | 乐金显示有限公司 | Organic light-emitting diode panel and touch-screen system including the same |
US8125455B2 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2012-02-28 | Apple Inc. | Full scale calibration measurement for multi-touch surfaces |
US7639234B2 (en) | 2007-01-04 | 2009-12-29 | Avago Technologies Ecbu Ip (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Capacitive sensing and absolute position mapping in displacement type pointing devices |
US8144129B2 (en) | 2007-01-05 | 2012-03-27 | Apple Inc. | Flexible touch sensing circuits |
US8115753B2 (en) | 2007-04-11 | 2012-02-14 | Next Holdings Limited | Touch screen system with hover and click input methods |
US9317110B2 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2016-04-19 | Cfph, Llc | Game with hand motion control |
US7936341B2 (en) | 2007-05-30 | 2011-05-03 | Microsoft Corporation | Recognizing selection regions from multiple simultaneous inputs |
US7835999B2 (en) | 2007-06-27 | 2010-11-16 | Microsoft Corporation | Recognizing input gestures using a multi-touch input device, calculated graphs, and a neural network with link weights |
US20090079345A1 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2009-03-26 | Fujifilm Corporation | Light emitting/receiving element |
US20090124348A1 (en) | 2007-11-09 | 2009-05-14 | Yoseloff Mark L | Electronic dice control in gaming |
JP2009140368A (en) | 2007-12-07 | 2009-06-25 | Sony Corp | Input device, display device, input method, display method, and program |
US9170649B2 (en) | 2007-12-28 | 2015-10-27 | Nokia Technologies Oy | Audio and tactile feedback based on visual environment |
US9019237B2 (en) | 2008-04-06 | 2015-04-28 | Lester F. Ludwig | Multitouch parameter and gesture user interface employing an LED-array tactile sensor that can also operate as a display |
US9870629B2 (en) | 2008-06-20 | 2018-01-16 | New Bis Safe Luxco S.À R.L | Methods, apparatus and systems for data visualization and related applications |
US8345014B2 (en) | 2008-07-12 | 2013-01-01 | Lester F. Ludwig | Control of the operating system on a computing device via finger angle using a high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) touch user interface |
US8169414B2 (en) | 2008-07-12 | 2012-05-01 | Lim Seung E | Control of electronic games via finger angle using a high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) touch user interface |
US8604364B2 (en) | 2008-08-15 | 2013-12-10 | Lester F. Ludwig | Sensors, algorithms and applications for a high dimensional touchpad |
US20100079385A1 (en) | 2008-09-29 | 2010-04-01 | Smart Technologies Ulc | Method for calibrating an interactive input system and interactive input system executing the calibration method |
US8529345B2 (en) | 2008-10-02 | 2013-09-10 | Igt | Gaming system including a gaming table with mobile user input devices |
US9104311B2 (en) | 2008-10-09 | 2015-08-11 | Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Slate computer with tactile home keys |
JP4766101B2 (en) | 2008-11-10 | 2011-09-07 | ソニー株式会社 | Tactile behavior recognition device, tactile behavior recognition method, information processing device, and computer program |
US20100177118A1 (en) | 2009-01-09 | 2010-07-15 | Sytnikov Vadim Vasilievich | Path creation utility for image editor |
US8170346B2 (en) | 2009-03-14 | 2012-05-01 | Ludwig Lester F | High-performance closed-form single-scan calculation of oblong-shape rotation angles from binary images of arbitrary size using running sums |
US8274536B2 (en) | 2009-03-16 | 2012-09-25 | Apple Inc. | Smart keyboard management for a multifunction device with a touch screen display |
US8154529B2 (en) | 2009-05-14 | 2012-04-10 | Atmel Corporation | Two-dimensional touch sensors |
US8836648B2 (en) | 2009-05-27 | 2014-09-16 | Microsoft Corporation | Touch pull-in gesture |
US8217912B2 (en) | 2009-06-17 | 2012-07-10 | Broadcom Corporation | Graphical authentication for a portable device and methods for use therewith |
US20100328032A1 (en) | 2009-06-24 | 2010-12-30 | Broadcom Corporation | Security for computing unit with femtocell ap functionality |
US8179376B2 (en) | 2009-08-27 | 2012-05-15 | Research In Motion Limited | Touch-sensitive display with capacitive and resistive touch sensors and method of control |
US8413065B2 (en) | 2009-09-07 | 2013-04-02 | Qualcomm Incorporated | User interface methods for ending an application |
US8313377B2 (en) | 2009-10-14 | 2012-11-20 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Playing browser based games with alternative controls and interfaces |
US20110285648A1 (en) | 2010-01-22 | 2011-11-24 | Lester Ludwig | Use of fingerprint scanning sensor data to detect finger roll and pitch angles |
US20110202934A1 (en) | 2010-02-12 | 2011-08-18 | Ludwig Lester F | Window manger input focus control for high dimensional touchpad (htpd), advanced mice, and other multidimensional user interfaces |
US20120056846A1 (en) | 2010-03-01 | 2012-03-08 | Lester F. Ludwig | Touch-based user interfaces employing artificial neural networks for hdtp parameter and symbol derivation |
US8686960B2 (en) | 2010-04-23 | 2014-04-01 | Lester F. Ludwig | Piecewise-linear and piecewise-affine transformations for high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) output decoupling and corrections |
US8754862B2 (en) | 2010-07-11 | 2014-06-17 | Lester F. Ludwig | Sequential classification recognition of gesture primitives and window-based parameter smoothing for high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) user interfaces |
US9950256B2 (en) | 2010-08-05 | 2018-04-24 | Nri R&D Patent Licensing, Llc | High-dimensional touchpad game controller with multiple usage and networking modalities |
US20120192119A1 (en) | 2011-01-24 | 2012-07-26 | Lester F. Ludwig | Usb hid device abstraction for hdtp user interfaces |
US9442652B2 (en) | 2011-03-07 | 2016-09-13 | Lester F. Ludwig | General user interface gesture lexicon and grammar frameworks for multi-touch, high dimensional touch pad (HDTP), free-space camera, and other user interfaces |
US20120280927A1 (en) | 2011-05-04 | 2012-11-08 | Ludwig Lester F | Simple touch interface and hdtp grammars for rapid operation of physical computer aided design (cad) systems |
US20130009896A1 (en) | 2011-07-09 | 2013-01-10 | Lester F. Ludwig | 3d finger posture detection and gesture recognition on touch surfaces |
US9052772B2 (en) | 2011-08-10 | 2015-06-09 | Lester F. Ludwig | Heuristics for 3D and 6D touch gesture touch parameter calculations for high-dimensional touch parameter (HDTP) user interfaces |
-
2011
- 2011-07-11 US US13/180,345 patent/US9626023B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2017
- 2017-04-14 US US15/488,295 patent/US20170220201A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120007898A1 (en) * | 2009-01-30 | 2012-01-12 | Ndsu Research Foundation | Infra-extensible led array controller for light emission and/or light sensing |
US20110069080A1 (en) * | 2009-09-23 | 2011-03-24 | Peter Dobrich | Enhanced Display |
US20120194493A1 (en) * | 2011-01-28 | 2012-08-02 | Broadcom Corporation | Apparatus and Method for Using an LED for Backlighting and Ambient Light Sensing |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160170110A1 (en) * | 2010-11-02 | 2016-06-16 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Thin-film broadband and wide-angle devices for generating and sampling polarization states |
US10254453B2 (en) * | 2010-11-02 | 2019-04-09 | Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Thin-film broadband and wide-angle devices for generating and sampling polarization states |
US10718889B2 (en) | 2010-11-02 | 2020-07-21 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Thin-film broadband and wide-angle devices for generating and sampling polarization states |
US11403983B2 (en) | 2019-09-02 | 2022-08-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Display controller, display system including the display controller, and method of operating the display controller |
US11303858B1 (en) | 2021-04-23 | 2022-04-12 | Avalon Holographics Inc. | Direct projection multiplexed light field display |
WO2022221933A1 (en) * | 2021-04-23 | 2022-10-27 | Avalon Holographics Inc. | Direct projection multiplexed light field display |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9626023B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 |
US20120006978A1 (en) | 2012-01-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20170220201A1 (en) | Led/oled array approach to integrated display, focusing lensless light-field camera, and touch-screen user interface devices and associated processors | |
US20170220145A1 (en) | Use of Transparent Photosensor Array to Implement Integrated Combinations of Touch Screen Tactile, Touch Gesture Sensor, Color Image Display, Hand-Image Gesture Sensor, Document Scanner, Secure Optical Data Exchange, and Fingerprint Processing Capabilities | |
US10546970B2 (en) | Color imaging using array of wavelength-selective optoelectronic elements as light-field or image sensor and additionally capable of emitting light | |
CN110931522B (en) | Display panel and manufacturing method thereof | |
WO2018218936A1 (en) | Pixel circuit, driving method therefor, and display panel | |
KR101415894B1 (en) | Pixel structure of organic electroluminescence device | |
US10170036B2 (en) | Systems and methods for displaying images | |
CN107256880B (en) | Display array substrate, preparation method and display | |
US9983734B2 (en) | Display | |
US20120274596A1 (en) | Use of organic light emitting diode (oled) displays as a high-resolution optical tactile sensor for high dimensional touchpad (hdtp) user interfaces | |
CN107422920B (en) | Array substrate and display panel | |
US20170277356A1 (en) | Display | |
US20190393271A1 (en) | Up-conversion device | |
CN107077584B (en) | Apparatus and method for enabling reading of information from a touch screen device | |
WO2020238839A1 (en) | Texture detection circuit, charging circuit, driving method and touch control display panel | |
KR102495197B1 (en) | Display device with photocells | |
Lee et al. | In-cell adaptive touch technology for a flexible e-paper display | |
US10318085B2 (en) | Passive matrix organic light emitting display panels having touch sensors using anode and cathode electrodes | |
US20030121976A1 (en) | Organic light sensors for use in a mobile communication device | |
US8664581B2 (en) | Input/output device and driving method thereof | |
CN108492759A (en) | A kind of sensor devices, optical detector circuitry and driving method, display device | |
US20220309820A1 (en) | Fingerprint recognition circuit, driving method therefor, display panel, and display device | |
Bao et al. | A multifunctional display based on photo-responsive perovskite light-emitting diodes | |
CN114361218A (en) | Substrate, display substrate, and optical detection substrate | |
KR20230143675A (en) | Display device and driving method of the same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NRI R&D PATENT LICENSING, LLC, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LUDWIG, LESTER F;REEL/FRAME:042745/0063 Effective date: 20170608 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PBLM ADVT LLC, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NRI R&D PATENT LICENSING, LLC;REEL/FRAME:046091/0586 Effective date: 20170907 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE AFTER FINAL ACTION FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: ADVISORY ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |