In an effort to address hygiene concerns associated with touch-based interfaces, engineers have been exploring alternative ways to operate devices without physical contact. Touchscreens and other commonly used input methods are often laden with bacteria and germs, making touchless interfaces a more hygienic option. To advance this technology, researchers from the Dutch Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Eindhoven University of Technology, and imec have introduced an innovative optical imager that enables touchless operation of devices.
Overcoming Limitations of Existing Touchless Interfaces
Many touchless interfaces currently available rely on near-infrared cameras to detect hand gestures. While effective in certain scenarios, these systems often have limited field of view and require complex calibration. Recognizing these limitations, the research team set out to develop an optical imager that would offer a larger field of view and improved positional accuracy, while also being easily integrated with existing displays.
The Transparent Optical Imager for Touchless Interactions
The optical imager developed by the team is based on a visually transparent near-infrared-sensitive organic photodetector array. By utilizing a printed copper grid as a transparent conductive electrode and an array of patterned organic photodetector subpixels, the imager achieves optical transparency that is imperceptible to the human eye. This allows it to be seamlessly placed in front of conventional displays without obstructing visibility.
Initial tests of the optical imager demonstrated its remarkable performance in detecting movements and changes in the environment with precision. The researchers successfully integrated the imager with a laptop display, showcasing its ability to enable both gesture-based and penlight-based interactions. The imager’s design was optimized using electro-optical modeling, resulting in a photodetectivity of approximately 1012 Jones at 850 nm and a visible-light transmittance of 70%.
Looking ahead, the researchers envision further development and large-scale fabrication of the optical imager to enable touchless interactions with a wide range of devices. Its successful implementation may also inspire the creation of other devices supporting gesture-based and penlight-based interfaces.
The introduction of a new optical imager with near-infrared sensitivity opens up possibilities for touchless interaction with devices. By eliminating the need for physical contact, this technology addresses hygiene concerns and offers a more convenient and hygienic user experience. With ongoing advancements and future developments, touchless interfaces may become the new standard in device interaction, revolutionizing the way we engage with technology.
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