An intelligent window is activated by lightly flicking your finger on the surface of a glass plate. These small impacts generate acoustic waves that propagate at different speeds toward four sensors bonded to the edges of the plate. At 2.076 miles per second (3340 m/s) the acoustic wave velocity of the detected waves is quite high, around 10 times higher than the speed of sound in air! These waves are known as Bulk Acoustic Waves (or Lamb waves).
Compared to other acoustic wave touch panel devices, such as surface acoustic wave devices (or Rayleigh waves), bulk acoustic waves are less affected by scratches and dirt that may accumulate at the surface of the plate. In order for the detection to be efficient, the shock has to generate ultrasonic waves in sufficient quantity. Indeed, ultrasonic frequencies are used to localize the impact. The higher the frequency, the better the resolution. In that matter, oneâs fingernail is an efficient generator of ultrasonic frequencies when it flatly hits the surface of the plate.
Then, sophisticated and patented electronics provide the coordinates of the impact as well as a quantitative measurement of the ultrasonic energy generated by the shock. A graphic scale of impact gives the user feedback on the efficiency of the shock. Be careful!, the scale indicates only the level of ultrasonic energy.
It is not a measurement of the total energy injected into the plate by the impact. It is easy to see therefore that it is simpler to generate ultrasonic waves with a fingernail than with a fingertip. The sensors are connected to a receiver-transmitter board that automatically optimizes the sensitivity of the interface according to the surrounding acoustical and electrical environment. The window becomes then an ãimpactileä panel, which can be designed and programmed according to oneâs needs, with the added unique features that it can operate as a giant microphone or high speaker.
As a microphone the window can hear at several feet of distance. As a high speaker, the sound is uniformly transmitted in air by the entire plate. The result is a very clear sound no matter where the user stands before the window.
Another advantage is that the production of sound by the plate itself eliminates all the sealing problems related to keeping the window water and dirt proof. The electronic processing unit (IVBOX) is connected to a personal computer via its serial port. Dedicated PCs should be used for the control of window presentations. For better stability of the operating system, unnecessary applications and/or peripherals should not be installed. Different screen sizes may be chosen, from a 22ä CRT monitor to video projection screens of several feet!
Compared to other acoustic wave touch panel devices, such as surface acoustic wave devices (or Rayleigh waves), bulk acoustic waves are less affected by scratches and dirt that may accumulate at the surface of the plate. In order for the detection to be efficient, the shock has to generate ultrasonic waves in sufficient quantity. Indeed, ultrasonic frequencies are used to localize the impact. The higher the frequency, the better the resolution. In that matter, oneâs fingernail is an efficient generator of ultrasonic frequencies when it flatly hits the surface of the plate.
Then, sophisticated and patented electronics provide the coordinates of the impact as well as a quantitative measurement of the ultrasonic energy generated by the shock. A graphic scale of impact gives the user feedback on the efficiency of the shock. Be careful!, the scale indicates only the level of ultrasonic energy.
It is not a measurement of the total energy injected into the plate by the impact. It is easy to see therefore that it is simpler to generate ultrasonic waves with a fingernail than with a fingertip. The sensors are connected to a receiver-transmitter board that automatically optimizes the sensitivity of the interface according to the surrounding acoustical and electrical environment. The window becomes then an ãimpactileä panel, which can be designed and programmed according to oneâs needs, with the added unique features that it can operate as a giant microphone or high speaker.
As a microphone the window can hear at several feet of distance. As a high speaker, the sound is uniformly transmitted in air by the entire plate. The result is a very clear sound no matter where the user stands before the window.
Another advantage is that the production of sound by the plate itself eliminates all the sealing problems related to keeping the window water and dirt proof. The electronic processing unit (IVBOX) is connected to a personal computer via its serial port. Dedicated PCs should be used for the control of window presentations. For better stability of the operating system, unnecessary applications and/or peripherals should not be installed. Different screen sizes may be chosen, from a 22ä CRT monitor to video projection screens of several feet!
