Electronic display including magnetometer

Abstract

An electronic interactive display (10) includes: a substrate; a power source; an interactive display layer that is included on the substrate; a plurality of magnetometers (M); processing circuitry (16) communicatively coupled to at least the interactive display layer (20B) and the plurality of magnetometers (M). The interactive display layer (20B) comprises a magnetostrictive material (19A, 19B), where a portion of the interactive display layer (20B) is configurable from at least a first visual state to a second visual state based on magnetic stimulation. The plurality of magnetometers (M) is configured to: perform magnetic field measurements on a user-carried device (50) comprising at least one magnet; and providing the magnetic field measurement data to processing circuitry (16). The processing circuitry (16) is configured to: receive magnetic field measurement data; and determining a position and / or orientation of the user-carried device (50) relative to the interactive display layer (20B).

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of European patent application EP 23170851.2, filed on 28 April 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to an electronic interactive display and associated user-portable device, computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer program elements. Background Technology

[0003] Interactive electronic displays enable users to write or draw on visible surfaces using user-carried devices such as styluses. Typically, when the user removes the user-carried device from the visible surface of the interactive electronic display, the representation of what the user has written or drawn remains on the visible surface. Furthermore, processing circuitry within the interactive electronic display can capture and save the representation of writing or drawing that the user has applied to the display.

[0004] Examples of interactive electronic displays include, for instance, tablet computers, smartphones, or monitors. In the drawing mode of an interactive electronic display, a user can load a drawing application hosted by the tablet computer. The tablet computer uses a mutual capacitance arrangement embedded in its screen to detect the touch location of the user's finger or stylus. The interactive electronic display digitizes the touch location of the user's finger or stylus and provides this digitized location to the drawing application via a device driver.

[0005] The drawing application updates internal files related to the digitized location. The drawing application displays the digitized location or trace of the digitized location via the screen of an interactive electronic display, typically registered to the same location on the interactive display where the user initially touched it with their finger or stylus. In this way, the user can interact with the interactive electronic display. More generally, the user can use, for example, a stylus or their finger to interact with the application's menu system.

[0006] However, users often experience a significant delay between the event of a user's finger or stylus touching the screen of an interactive electronic display and the subsequent event of the drawn artifacts appearing on the screen. This delay is subjectively perceptible to the user. This delay is introduced, for example, by the capacitive sensing of the interactive electronic display screen, interface electronics, device driver software and / or the drawing application itself, and / or by the thin-film transistor (TFT) screen of a tablet computer and by screen refresh.

[0007] Therefore, electronic interactive displays can be further improved. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect, an electronic interactive display is provided. The electronic interactive display includes a substrate, a power source, an interactive display layer included on the substrate, and a plurality of magnetometers defining a reference coordinate system for the electronic interactive display. Each of the plurality of magnetometers has a rigid spatial relationship with the other magnetometers. The electronic interactive display also includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to at least the interactive display layer and the plurality of magnetometers.

[0009] The interactive display layer contains magnetostrictive materials.

[0010] The interactive display layer is intended for use by the user of the electronic interactive display. A portion of the interactive display layer can be configured to switch from at least a first visual state to a second visual state based on magnetic stimulation.

[0011] Multiple magnetometers are configured to: perform magnetic field measurements on a user-carried device, which includes at least one magnet, within a sensing volume adjacent to an interactive display layer; and provide magnetic field measurement data to a processing circuit based on the magnetic field measurements.

[0012] The processing circuitry is configured to: receive magnetic field measurement data; and, when at least one user-carried device is present in the sensing volume, determine the position and / or orientation of the user-carried device relative to the interactive display layer.

[0013] The aforementioned effects include those that digitize writing or images applied to the interactive display layer of an electronically interactive display by a user-carried device including at least one magnet. For example, when the electronically interactive display contains a magnetostrictive material, the magnet included in the user-carried device can switch a portion of the interactive display layer between a first visual state and a second visual state based on exposure to a magnetic field provided by the magnet included in the user-carried device. The magnetic properties of the user-carried device can be tracked simultaneously by multiple magnetometers, thereby enabling the determination of position (positioning and / or orientation) when a user of the electronically interactive display writes on the interactive display layer of the electronically interactive display using at least one magnet of the user-carried device.

[0014] Compared to implementations that rely on methods such as capacitance or force-sensing resistors to detect the position of a user-carried device, the time delay between the user's observation of the visual response of the interactive display layer (based on magnetic stimulation causing a magnetostrictive material to switch between a first and a second visual state, or vice versa) and the determination of the user-carried device's location and / or orientation by the processing circuitry (obtained via measurements of the user-carried device's magnetic field using multiple odometers) is significantly reduced. This is because using capacitance or force-sensing resistors to detect the position of a user-carried device requires addressing of interface circuitry and associated processor registers, which introduces latency.

[0015] In the previously known electronic tablets discussed in the background, visual feedback can be provided to the user via an electronically driven electronic pixel display (EPD). Maintaining and / or changing the state of the EPD display (such as, for example, a TFT or LCD screen) results in relatively high power consumption. According to a first aspect, the interactive display layer comprises a magnetostrictive material that changes from a first visual state to a second visual state based on the application of an external incident magnetic field from a user-carried device, including, for example, a magnet. Therefore, compared to previously known electronic tablets, the user can use much lower power consumption to sketch or write on the electronic interactive display because an EPD is not required to maintain the input of sketching or writing on the magnetostrictive material of the electronic interactive display.

[0016] In the example, if the user does not want the location of their device to be determined, multiple magnetometers can be powered off, and the electronic interactive display can have a display-only mode without using multiple magnetometers to record the location of the user's device.

[0017] According to a second aspect, a user-portable device is provided for use with an electronic interactive display comprising a magnetostrictive material. The user-portable device includes an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis of the user-portable device. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a distal end, a first magnet and a second magnet, the first magnet being disposed at or near the proximal end of the elongated body, and the second magnet being disposed along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the user-portable device between the first magnet and the distal end of the elongated body. The second magnet has a magnetic moment at least twice that of the first magnet.

[0018] The advantage is that user-portable devices suitable for writing or sketching on the interactive display layer of the electronic interactive display according to the first aspect do not require electronic components. In other words, the magnetostrictive material of the interactive display layer of the electronic interactive display according to the first aspect can be written on using a user-portable device including a magnet, even when the electronic interactive display is not powered on, and the user-portable device does not require any form of electronics. This simplifies the cost and construction complexity of the user-portable device. In the example, a magnet is used for magnetic tracking and writing on the magnetostrictive material. In the example, a first magnet is used for writing, and a second magnet is used for magnetic tracking. In the example, different user-portable devices can be provided with magnets of different spatial distributions, allowing the electronic interactive display to identify which type of user-portable device is being used.

[0019] According to a third aspect, a computer-implemented method for operating an electronic interactive display is provided, the method comprising:

[0020] - Using multiple magnetometers that define a reference coordinate system for the electronic interactive display to perform magnetic field measurements on a user-carried device within the sensing volume of the interactive display layer adjacent to the electronic interactive display, wherein each of the multiple magnetometers has a rigid spatial relationship with the electronic interactive display;

[0021] - Provide magnetic field measurement data to the processing circuit based on magnetic field measurement; and

[0022] - When at least one user-carrying device is present in the sensing volume, determine the position and / or orientation of the user-carrying device relative to the interactive display layer.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, a system is provided. The system includes an electronically interactive display according to the first aspect or an embodiment thereof, a user-portable device according to the second aspect or an embodiment thereof, a host computer, and a communication network configured to communicatively connect a communication interface of the electronically interactive display to the host computer. The electronically interactive display is configured to transmit screen representation data written to the electronically interactive display via the user-portable device to the host computer.

[0024] According to a fifth aspect, a computer program element is provided, the computer program element including machine-readable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, are configured to perform the computer-implemented method according to the third aspect.

[0025] According to a sixth aspect, a component kit is provided, comprising an electronic interactive display according to a first aspect and a user-carrying device according to a second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Other features will become clear from the accompanying drawings, which form part of this disclosure. The drawings are intended to further explain this disclosure and enable those skilled in the art to practice it. However, the drawings are intended as non-limiting examples. Common reference numerals in different figures indicate similar or analogous features.

[0027] Figure 1A Magnetostrictive display materials are illustrated schematically.

[0028] Figure 1B Magnetostrictive and electrostrictive display materials are illustrated schematically.

[0029] Figure 1C The illustrations illustrate magnetostrictive and electrostrictive display materials that include positioning digitized components.

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic side cross-sectional view of an electronic interactive display is shown.

[0031] Figure 3Several magnetometers included in an electronic interactive display are illustrated schematically.

[0032] Figure 4 The electronic functional modules of an electronic interactive display are illustrated schematically.

[0033] Figure 5 The placement of multiple magnetometers relative to the substrate of the electronic interactive display is illustrated schematically.

[0034] Figure 6 The placement of multiple magnetometers relative to the substrate of the electronic interactive display is illustrated schematically.

[0035] Figure 7 A variant of the magnetometer array arrangement is illustrated schematically.

[0036] Figure 8A The illustration illustrates changing the image between visual states.

[0037] Figure 8B A computer-implemented method for changing an image between visual states is illustrated schematically.

[0038] Figure 9A The first stage of the pre-start function of the electronic display is illustrated schematically.

[0039] Figure 9B The second stage of the pre-start function of the electronic display is illustrated schematically.

[0040] Figure 9C The third stage of the pre-start function of the electronic display is illustrated schematically.

[0041] Figure 9D A method for computer implementation of pre-booting of an electronic display is illustrated schematically.

[0042] Figure 10A This illustration demonstrates how changing the pattern can be achieved by redirecting the user's carrying device.

[0043] Figure 10B A computer implementation method for changing modes by redirecting the user's carried device is illustrated schematically.

[0044] Figure 11A The application of the trace variation function based on the user's carrying device orientation is illustrated schematically.

[0045] Figure 11B A method for a computer implementation of trace changes based on the orientation of a user's carrying device is illustrated schematically.

[0046] Figure 12 A side cross-sectional view of an exemplary user-carried device is schematically illustrated.

[0047] Figure 13 A computer-implemented method for operating an electronic interactive display is illustrated schematically.

[0048] Figure 14 A system including an electronic interactive display is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0049] This specification relates to an electronic interactive display 10 comprising at least a plurality of magnetometers M and an interactive display layer 20B, which is visible to a user during use and can maintain its state until a subsequent magnetic and / or electrical addressing event occurs. The interactive display layer 20B comprises a magnetostrictive material. A magnetostrictive material is a material that changes color, contrast, reflectivity, etc., between a first visual state and a second visual state when exposed to a magnetic flux that is more concentrated than (e.g., the Earth's magnetic field) background flux. In combination with a user-carrying device comprising one or more suitable magnets 52, 54, the electronic interactive display 10 can display writing on the magnetostrictive material, but the writing is done directly by the magnets 52, and the plurality of magnetometers M can track the position (positioning and / or orientation) of the user-carrying device, and particularly the (x, y, z) trace drawn on the surface of the electronic interactive display 10 by the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50, at least based on changes in the magnetic field F52 observed by the plurality of magnetometers M.

[0050] Therefore, this specification proposes solutions to the high latency and high power consumption problems in other electronic interactive displays. Specifically, low-latency rendering is achieved using electrophoretic materials because the display is directly magnetically addressed (switched) by the incident magnetic field, and thus no higher-latency electronic addressing is required to change the appearance of the magnetically addressed portion of the screen. Magnetic tracking using multiple magnetometers M enables the digitization of the positioning and / or orientation of the user-carried device 50. This magnetic tracking makes it possible to capture handwriting, drawing, and / or touching motions on the screen.

[0051] In some examples, the magnetic polarity of magnets 52, 54, and 56 relative to the electronic interactive display 10 can be detected. For example, a mode change can be selected when a first magnet included in the user carrying device 50 is initially closer to the electronic interactive display 10 than a second magnet: multiple magnetometers M determine that the longitudinal axis L of the user carrying device 50 has been, for example, flipped in space by the user, such that a second magnet having a different polarity than the first magnet is closer to the electronic interactive display 10. The mode change can be, for example, a change from a write mode to an erase mode of the electronic interactive display 10. The mode change can be detected, for example, by detecting the polarity of a magnet located at the distal end of the user carrying device 50.

[0052] In some examples, additional driving electrodes change the appearance of the interactive display layer 20B, and in particular the magnetostrictive material, from either a first or second visual state to at least a third or fourth visual state. Typically, this change to at least a third or fourth visual state is achieved by exposing the magnetostrictive material to an additional electric field from the additional driving electrodes.

[0053] In the example, the opacity or contrast of the rendering on the magnetostrictive material may depend on the strength of the magnet 54 at the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50, and / or on the orientation of the user-carrying device 50 relative to the electronic interactive display 10. Therefore, since the rendering opacity depends on the magnet strength and proximity, a rendering model precisely suited to a particular user-carrying device 50 can be generated for the electronic interactive display. In the example, a plurality of magnetometers M may detect a particular user-carrying device 50 based on variations in the spacing, distribution, or type of magnets along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device 50.

[0054] For example, the user-carrying device 50 may include a single, long, thin magnet 54 located at the proximal end of the user-carrying device 50 and extending along the longitudinal axis L of the user-carrying device toward its distal end. In an embodiment, the user-carrying device 50 may include two stationary magnets. The first magnet 54 is located at the proximal end (tip) of the user-carrying device 50. In an embodiment, the first magnet 54 has a smaller magnetic strength compared to a second magnet 52 used by a plurality of magnetometers M to track the positioning of the user-carrying device 50.

[0055] Applying magnetic tracking in this way allows different types of user-carried devices (pens, styluses, styluses) to be compatible with magnetically sensitive displays.

[0056] Based on the embodiments outlined above and discussed in detail below, a user can draw and digitally capture their writing strokes on a magnetostrictive bistable electrophoretic display (bistable EPD), which is magnetically and electrically actuated and, in some embodiments, referred to as an electrophoretic display. The electric and / or electronic passive writing instrument (user-carried device 50), including at least one magnet, does not require electronic components for writing on the electrophoretic display of the electronically interactive display 10. The movement of the user-carried device 50 relative to the electronically interactive display is digitized by multiple magnetometers M.

[0057] Within the user-carrying device 50, a first magnet 54 is located at the proximal end. In this example, an additional magnet 56 is disposed at the distal end of the user-carrying device 50. In this example, the additional magnet 56 may have a different polarity or magnetic moment vector and / or a larger magnetic moment compared to the first magnet 54. In this example, the user can selectively raise a portion of the screen by flipping the user-carrying device 50 along its longitudinal axis L, such that the distal end D of the user-carrying device 50, including the additional magnet 56, becomes closer to the surface of the electronic interactive device 10. This change is detected by a plurality of magnetometers M, which changes the electronic device 10 to an erasing state, and the position of the erasing strokes is detected when the user moves the additional magnet 56 around the screen of the electronic interactive device 10.

[0058] Generally, the user-carrying device 50 may be provided with a first magnet 54, which is positioned near or located at the proximal end of the user-carrying device 50. The user-carrying device 50 may also be provided with a first magnet 54 and a second magnet 52, the first magnet being positioned near or located at the proximal end P, and the second magnet being located on or around the longitudinal axis L of the user-carrying device 50 between the proximal end P and the distal end D. In one embodiment, the second magnet 52 is closer to the proximal end P than the distal end D of the user-carrying device 50. In another embodiment, the magnetic field of the second magnet 52 is at least twice as strong as that of the first magnet 54. In an implementation, the user-carrying device 50 may include a first magnet 54 and an additional magnet 56, the first magnet being located at or near the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50, and the additional magnet being located at or near the distal end D, wherein the additional magnet 56 has a different and / or opposite polarity compared to the first magnet 54.

[0059] According to the implementation scheme, the user-carrying device 50 may include a first magnet 54, an additional magnet 56, and a second magnet 52. The first magnet is located at or near the proximal end P, and the additional magnet is located at or near the distal end D, having a polarity different from or opposite to that of the first magnet 54. The second magnet is located on or around the longitudinal axis L of the device 50. Compared to the first magnet 54 and the additional magnet 56, the second magnet 52 can generate a stronger magnetic field.

[0060] Figure 1A A side cross-sectional view of an interactive display is schematically illustrated.

[0061] Substrate 12 supports an interactive display layer 20B encapsulated by a laminate including a first electrode array 20A. In an embodiment, a second electrode array 20C may be provided, which is attached to substrate 12 via a laminate (not shown). The interactive display layer 20B includes magnetostrictive materials 19A, 19B. In an embodiment, the magnetostrictive materials 19A, 19B may also be actuated by an electric field emitted from the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20B. In an embodiment, the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20B are disposed on substrate 12 in an individually addressable pixel pattern. In this case, the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20B form a corresponding first pixel array and a second pixel array (not shown). However, the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20B may be a region of any shape or the entire region of the interactive display layer 20.

[0062] The first electrode array 20A contains, for example, a transparent conductor, such as indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0063] In one embodiment, the magnetostrictive materials 19A and 19B included in the interactive display array 20B comprise microcapsules (enclosing both magnetostrictive materials 19A and 19B). Each microcapsule may contain two types of electrophoretic pigments and a solvent, and in this example, a polymer binder. The microcapsules may be freely encapsulated within the interactive display array 20B or confined by microcells, for example, in a honeycomb or square pattern (not shown). The electrophoretic pigments may be displaced within the microcapsules by a magnetic field and / or an electric field. In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrophoretic pigment 19A has a darker, more saturated contrast level compared to the second electrophoretic pigment 19B.

[0064] In one implementation, when the first electrophoretic pigment 19A predominantly faces the front of the electronic interactive display (in other words, when the predominant amount of the first electrophoretic pigment 19A in each microcapsule is closer to the first electrode array 20A than the second electrophoretic pigment 19B), that portion of the electronic interactive display 10 will be in a first visual state. In an example, the first visual state may be dark gray or black.

[0065] In one implementation, when the second electrophoretic pigment 19B predominantly faces the front of the electronic interactive display (in other words, when the dominant amount of the second electrophoretic pigment 19B in each microcapsule is closer to the first electrode array 20A than the first electrophoretic pigment 19B), that portion of the electronic interactive display 10 will be in a second visual state. In an example, the second visual state may be, for example, light gray or white. Figure 1A Examples include a microcapsule on the left side in the first visual state and a microcapsule on the right side in the second visual state.

[0066] Changing a portion of an electronic interactive display from a first visual state to a second visual state is typically performed by magnetic stimulation, for example, from a magnet 54 of a user-carried device 50.

[0067] Figure 1B Magnetostrictive and electrostrictive displays are illustrated schematically.

[0068] The second electrode array 20C may include, for example, an active thin-film transistor matrix. The second electrode array 20C may be divided into a large number of pixels distributed on the surface of an electronic interactive display. For example, in one example, the pixels included in the second electrode array 20C may be formed by a thin-film transistor array that allows addressing the pixel electrodes of the second electrode array 20C using a row-column addressing scheme. In another example, the second electrode array 20C may be addressed uniformly such that each portion of the entire screen of the electronic interactive display 10 can be biased by the same amount. In yet another example, selected portions of the second electrode array may be configured such that, for example, a portion of the screen of an electronic interactive device intended to display menu features can be biased separately from the rest of the screen.

[0069] In the example, for a given spatial location (x, y) on the screen of the electronic interactive display 10, a pixel or region of the first electrode array 20A can apply a positive and / or negative electric field bias to one or more microcapsules at the corresponding spatial location (x, y) of the interactive display array 20B, wherein, as an example, the corresponding pixel or region of the second electrode array 20B is maintained at 0 volts. This allows the first electrophoretic pigment 19A in each microcapsule to be attracted closer to the first electrode array 20A than the second electrophoretic pigment 19B. In this case, this portion of the electronic interactive display 10 will be in a third visual state.

[0070] In the example, for a given spatial location (x, y) on the screen of the electronic interactive display 10, pixels or regions of the first electrode array 20A can apply different positive and / or negative electric field biases to one or more microcapsules at the corresponding spatial location (x, y) of the interactive display array 20B, wherein the corresponding pixels or regions of the second electrode array 20B are maintained at different voltage levels. This allows the first electrophoretic pigment 19A in each microcapsule to be repelled closer to the second electrode array 20B than the second electrophoretic pigment 19B. In this case, this portion of the electronic interactive display 10 will be in a fourth visual state.

[0071] In the example, the third visual state could be, for example, saturated black. In the example, the fourth visual state could be, for example, saturated white. Generally speaking, magnetic stimulation typically moves the electrophoretic pigments 19A and 19B with relatively lower efficiency compared to electrical stimulation. Therefore, a full range of pigment saturation (between the third and fourth visual states) is obtained through a combination of magnetic and electrical stimulation of the electrophoretic pigments 19A and 19B. However, an acceptable range of pigment saturation (between the first and second visual states) is obtained by using magnetic stimulation of the electrophoretic pigments 19A and 19B.

[0072] The conference paper “Magnetically Written Electrophoretic Display” by Tsai, CC and McCreary, MD, which was on the agenda of IDW 2019, ISSN-L 1883-2490 / 26 / 1391, is incorporated herein by reference and further discusses the magnetoactuation of electrophoretic pigments.

[0073] Figure 1C The illustrations illustrate magnetostrictive and electrostrictive display materials that include touch-positioning digital components.

[0074] In the example, the touch positioning digitization component may include one or both of a capacitive touch sensing layer 20E and a force sensing resistor layer 20F. If provided, the capacitive touch sensing layer 20E may operate based on the mutual capacitance principle and / or the self-capacitance principle. In the example, the capacitive touch sensing 20E may be disposed in pixels corresponding to the first electrode array 20A and the second electrode array 20B, or spatially registered to these electrode arrays.

[0075] In some examples discussed in this specification, the touch positioning digitization component enables the location of a touch of the proximal or distal end of the user-carrying device 50 or a user's finger in the (X,Y) plane. This touch information can be combined with positional information of the user-carrying device 50 obtained using multiple magnetometers M, for example, to improve overall accuracy and / or timely locate the moment when the user-carrying device 50 touches the interactive display layer 20B or the overlying electrodes 20A or 20E of the electronic interactive display.

[0076] Figure 2 A schematic side cross-sectional view of an electronic interactive display is shown.

[0077] According to a first aspect, an electronic interactive display 10 is provided, the electronic interactive display including a substrate 12, a power source 14, an interactive display layer 20B included on the substrate 12, and a plurality of magnetometers M defining a reference coordinate system of the electronic interactive display. Each of the plurality of magnetometers M, M1-M6, has a rigid spatial relationship with the other magnetometers M. The electronic interactive display 10 also includes processing circuitry 16 communicatively coupled to at least the interactive display layer 20B and the plurality of magnetometers M.

[0078] The interactive display layer 20B contains magnetostrictive materials 19A and 19B.

[0079] The interactive display layer 20B is used to face the user U of the electronic interactive display 10. At least a portion of the interactive display layer 20B can be configured from at least a first visual state to a second visual state based on magnetic stimulation.

[0080] Multiple magnetometers M are configured to: perform magnetic field measurements on a user-carrying device 50, which includes at least one magnet, within a sensing volume S adjacent to the interactive display layer 20B; and provide magnetic field measurement data to a processing circuit 16 based on the magnetic field measurements.

[0081] The processing circuit 16 is configured to: receive magnetic field measurement data; and determine the position and / or orientation of the user-carried device 50 relative to the interactive display layer 20B when at least one user-carried device 50 is present in the sensing volume S.

[0082] like Figure 2 The example electronic interactive display shown includes a back panel 13 and frames 11A, 11B. The back panel is a rigid mechanical support structure made of, for example, a solid material such as plastic or metal.

[0083] The substrate 12 is mounted on the back plate 13. The substrate 12 supports the interactive display layer 20B. Figure 2 In one example, the second electrode array 20C is attached to the substrate 12, and the interactive display layer 20B is attached to the second electrode array 20A. However, in other examples, the interactive display layer 20B may be directly attached to the substrate 12. According to the example, the interactive display layer 20B...

[0084] In the example, frames 11A and 11B may comprise a clear, opaque, or translucent material and laterally surround (in the illustrated XS, YS plane) an active region in which content is displayed by the interactive display layer 20B. The active region may also define an interaction surface between the electronic interactive display 10 and the proximal end P of the user-carried device 50. The interactive display layer 20B may include, for example, a low-power reflective display that controls and utilizes ambient light to present content. In the example, the interactive display layer 20B is not an active light emitter. In the example, the interactive display 20B is not an OLED, LCD, or TFT display.

[0085] According to the implementation scheme, when the interactive display layer 20B is actuated between the first visual state and the fourth visual state as defined herein, the interactive display layer 20B provides a monochrome display scale, such as black and white or grayscale shadows.

[0086] exist Figure 2 In one example, the interactive display layer 20B has a laminated or deposited layer forming the first electrode array 20A. For example, the first electrode array 20A is an optically transparent layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) on which the electrode array is patterned. In other examples, the first electrode array 20A may be omitted and / or replaced with, for example, a clear acrylic protective layer. According to other examples, the example electronic interactive display 10 may include… Figure 1A , Figure 1B or Figure 1C The arrangement is shown in the example.

[0087] According to the implementation scheme, the interactive display layer 20B can be subdivided into pixels based on the layout of the electrodes of the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20B. In the implementation scheme, the interactive display layer 20B is divided into a plurality of square pixels using a row-column addressing scheme. In the implementation scheme, the interactive display layer 20B can be divided into regions of arbitrary shapes with different display characteristics by the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20B. For example, a spatial portion of the interactive display layer 20B may have a rectangular bar reserved for use as a "menu," and this region may have a brighter or darker visual display state. Therefore, the arrangement of the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20B can be adapted to such arbitrary regional shapes or subdivisions of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0088] The portion of the electronic interactive display 10 that is visible to the user U during use may be referred to as the upper portion or the front portion. The portion of the electronic interactive display 10 that is not visible to the user U during use may be referred to as the lower portion or the rear portion.

[0089] Interactive display layer 20B is the one mentioned above. Figure 1A , Figure 1B or Figure 1C The illustrated arrangement relates to the interactive display layer 20B discussed. For example, the interactive display layer 20B may contain one or more electrophoretic pigments. For example, the interactive display layer 20B may contain a magnetostrictive material that changes from a first visual state to a second visual state when an incident magnetic field of a predetermined magnitude is applied. The visual state may be, for example, the level of color or saturation of the interactive display layer 20B that is subjectively apparent to the user U. The magnetostrictive material is, for example, a bistable magnetoresponsive electrophoretic display, also known as electrophoresis. A bistable magnetoresponsive electrophoretic display can change its visual state in the presence of a localized constant magnetic field.

[0090] In the implementation plan, the magnetostrictive material is an electrophoretic material.

[0091] Additionally, magnetostrictive materials are also electrostrictible, for example, in the presence of an electric field. In one embodiment, applying an electric field to a portion of the interactive display layer 20B changes the subjectively perceived visual state of the user U of the interactive display layer 20B from either a first or second visual state to a third or fourth visual state. The third or fourth visual state may exhibit a greater degree of saturation and contrast compared to the first or second visual state. In another embodiment, the saturation and / or contrast range between the first and second visual states is smaller than the saturation and / or contrast range between the third and fourth visual states.

[0092] The electronic interactive display 10 also includes an electronics module 18, which includes at least a power source 14, processing circuitry 16, and multiple magnetometers M. Figure 2 The example illustrates an array of six magnetometers, but more or fewer magnetometers can be used, such as by combining them. Figure 7 The subject of discussion.

[0093] The electronic component module 18 can be a single unit, or the electronic components can be distributed in multiple locations around the electronic interactive device 10. For example, multiple magnetometers M can be distributed around portions or the entirety of the frames 11A, 11B of the electronic interactive device 10, and another electronic component module 18, including a power source supply 14 and processing circuitry 16, can be mounted to, for example, a backplane 13. In this case, the multiple magnetometers M are connected to the processing circuitry 16 using electronic traces in the backplane 13 and / or substrate 12 of the electronic interactive device 10.

[0094] Multiple magnetometers M enable the electronic interactive device 10 to track the user-carried device 50, which includes at least one permanent magnet 54, as it moves within the sensing volume S of the electronic interactive device 10.

[0095] An example of the sensing volume S as a cuboid shape is exemplary, and the sensing volume typically has a spatial envelope that depends on the positioning of the multiple magnetometers and / or the signal processing performed on the signals obtained from the multiple magnetometers M. (The remaining text appears to be unrelated and possibly a fragment from another document.) Figure 3 Further aspects of using multiple magnetometers M to detect the positioning of the user-carried device 50 relative to the electronic interactive display 10 are discussed. In short, the reference coordinate system of the electronic interactive display 10 is defined by the arrangement of the multiple magnetometers M. In the example, each of the multiple magnetometers is a triaxial magnetometer.

[0096] Figure 2 The illustrated electronic interactive device 10 is a tablet computer designed for use with a user-portable device 50. The user-portable device 50 may be, for example, a computer mouse, dial, ring, toy, keyboard, joystick, or stylus. Figure 2 The example shown is a stylus-type user-carrying device 50.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 12, together with the associated frame 13 and backing 11, is rigid.

[0098] In this embodiment, a portion or all of the substrate 12 is flexible. The plurality of magnetometers M should have a rigid spatial relationship, and therefore the rod comprising the plurality of magnetometers M and the electronics 18 can be attached to a flexible roller, for example, made using printable electronics. The flexible roller may include an interactive display layer 20B, and in this example, includes a first electrode array and a second electrode array.

[0099] The user-carrying device 50 includes a first magnet 54 and a second magnet 52. The user-carrying device 50 is laterally translational and / or rotatable, for example, on the interaction surface of the electronic interactive device 10. Figure 2 In the illustrated example, the interactive surface is a first electrode array 20A. In this example, a first magnet 52 of the user-carrying device 50 generates a magnetic field that acts on magnetically responsive pigments in the interactive display layer 20B to change their response from a first visual state to a second visual state. In this example, the magnetic moment of the second magnet 52 of the user-carrying device is tracked by multiple magnetometers. The multiple magnetometers perform magnetic field measurements within the sensing volume S and output magnetic field measurement data.

[0100] In use, the processing circuit 16 determines the position (location and / or orientation) of the user device 50 by processing magnetic field measurement data obtained from multiple magnetometers M. The processing circuit 16 may, for example, determine when the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50 has been brought close enough to a distance d such that the magnetic field F54 of the first magnet 54 changes the visual state of the interactive display layer 20B from a first visual state to a second visual state or vice versa.

[0101] When the processing circuit 16 determines that the user-carried device 50 has been brought close enough to the distance range d for the magnetic field F54 of the first magnet 54 to change the visual state of the interactive display layer 20B from the first visual state to the second visual state, the processing circuit 16 can track or record the portion of the screen of the electronic interactive display that has been changed from the first visual state to the second visual state by the first magnet 54.

[0102] In one embodiment, the processing circuit 16 is configured to: detect, using the determined positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device 50, that at least one user-carrying device 50 has changed a portion of the interactive display layer 20B from a first visual state to a second visual state, and to use the processing circuit 16 to generate screen representation data including the positioning of the changed portion of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0103] Processing circuitry 16 can generate, for example, a bitmap of the YS, XS planes of interactive display layer 20B, which is a near-or accurate representation of the appearance of the YS, XS planes of interactive display layer 20B after being magnetically addressed by the first magnet 54 of user-carrying device 50. In this example, the bitmap may be output as an output file, an output mask, or output data, as screen representation data representing user input on the electronic interactive display 10.

[0104] In this embodiment, the screen display data can provide a grayscale representation of the user input on the electronic interactive display 10 for each spatial portion in the XS, YS plane of the interactive display layer 20B. In this case, the first magnet 54 will cause a change in the appearance of the interactive display layer 20B to be more saturated or less saturated based on the degree of proximity and / or duration or orientation of the first magnet 54 relative to a given portion of the interactive display layer 20B. In this embodiment, a plurality of magnetometers M can therefore track the relative separation distance d between the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50 and the interactive display layer 20B for each (XS, YS) coordinate of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0105] Figure 3 Several magnetometers included in an electronic interactive display are illustrated schematically.

[0106] Multiple magnetometers M may be fixedly arranged within the housing of the electronic interactive device 10. The multiple magnetometers M define a fixed position and / or orientation relative to each other. A magnetometer plane 21 may be defined by a plane extending through most of the magnetometers 300. More specifically, the magnetometer plane 21 may extend through the center, more specifically, the geometric center, of most of the magnetometers M. In other words, most of the magnetometers in the multiple magnetometers M may be arranged in a common plane, i.e., the magnetometer plane 21. However, one or more magnetometers in the multiple magnetometers M may be located away from and / or tilted relative to the common plane, for example, due to manufacturing problems and / or tolerances and / or manufacturing design constraints. The magnetometer plane M may additionally or alternatively be defined by a plane in which the magnetometers of the multiple magnetometers M are primarily arranged.

[0107] like Figure 2 As indicated, the electronic interactive display 10 may include a reference coordinate system XS, YS, ZS, which includes a first reference axis XS, a second reference axis YS, and a vertical reference axis ZS. The first reference axis XS and the second reference axis YS may be defined as parallel to the magnetometer plane 21 and orthogonal to each other. The vertical reference axis ZS may be orthogonal to the magnetometer plane 21. Furthermore, the vertical reference axis ZS may extend through the center of a plurality of magnetometers M.

[0108] refer to Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the arrangement of multiple magnetometers M relative to the interactive display layer 20B. As summarized above, the multiple magnetometers M are configured to measure the magnetic field associated with magnets 52, 54 and / or 56 of the user-carried device 50.

[0109] The processing circuit 16 can be configured to determine magnetic field measurement data based on magnetic field measurements collected within the sensing volume S relative to a reference coordinate system XS, YS, ZS. The magnetic field measurement data can indicate the location and / or orientation of the magnetic object associated with at least one magnet 52, 54, 56 relative to the reference coordinate system XYZ, and more specifically, relative to the magnetometer plane 21.

[0110] The orientation of a magnetic object can be defined by a set of magnetic object orientation angles (θ, γ) relative to the axes of the reference coordinate system. More specifically, the corresponding magnetic object orientation angles (θ, γ) can be measured between the magnetic moment vector of magnet 52 and the corresponding axes XS, YS, ZS of the reference coordinate system.

[0111] As outlined above, each of the plurality of magnetometers M can be configured to measure magnetic fields F52, F54 in the directions of a first reference axis XS, a second reference axis YS, and / or a vertical reference axis ZS. In other words, each of the plurality of magnetometers M can be configured to perform magnetic field measurements in the directions of two axes (i.e., two dimensions XS, YS) or three axes (i.e., three dimensions XS, YS, ZS), or even along a single axis, specifically ZS, to obtain, for example, a spatial representation, pressure, and / or grayscale representation of writing or sketching on an interactive display layer 20B, and the magnetic field measurements are used to calculate data obtained on the screen (e.g., as a bitmap).

[0112] The number of magnetometers provided may depend on the size of the interactive display layer 20B, the required accuracy, the magnets used, and the detection distance required for the magnets that the user-carried device 50 relies on to operate.

[0113] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, multiple magnetometers M can be arranged in rows or rows and columns. However, it is also possible that multiple magnetometers can be arranged in a disordered manner within the electronic interactive display 10. A calibration process can be used to determine the exact position (more specifically, orientation and / or orientation) and measurement axis of each magnetometer within the electronic interactive device relative to a reference coordinate system. Furthermore, the sensitivity and / or offset of each magnetometer can be calibrated. Multiple magnetometers M in Figure 3 The magnetometer is shown as being arranged in the magnetometer plane 21 (i.e., in the same plane relative to the vertical reference axis ZS). However, as outlined above, one or more magnetometers in the magnetometer may be located away from the magnetometer plane 21, and more specifically, away from the vertical reference axis ZS.

[0114] The magnetic field measurement data from each of a plurality of magnetometers M, representing the magnetic field within the sensing volume S, is processed according to techniques described, for example, in US 9,507,443 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the magnetic field measurement data can be used to determine the position of the user-carried device 50 within the sensing volume S.

[0115] The processing required to determine the position of the user-carrying device 50 relative to the interactive display layer 20B can be performed, for example, by the processing circuitry 16. In one embodiment, a separate coprocessor can determine the position of the user-carrying device 50 relative to the interactive display layer 20B and provide that position as input to the processing circuitry 16.

[0116] In the implementation, the processing circuit 16 is configured to position the proximal or distal end of the user-carrying device 50 within less than 1 mm of the surface of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0117] In the implementation, the processing circuit 16 is configured to locate the proximal or distal end of the user-carried device within a sensing volume S of no more than 300 mm, perpendicular to the surface of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0118] Figure 4 The electronic functional modules of the electronic interactive display 10 are illustrated schematically.

[0119] Electronic functional modules can be integrated into or connected to one or more printed circuit boards or printable electronic devices.

[0120] The power source 14 may include, for example, a chemical battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. In one embodiment, a wired power source based on a DC-DC converter can provide power to the electronic interactive display 10.

[0121] In one embodiment, the processing circuitry 16 includes a data processor or data processing chipset based on, for example, an ARM™ or Intel™ processor core. According to another embodiment, the processing circuitry 16 is configured to output screen display data via a communication interface 18.

[0122] According to the implementation scheme, the data processor or data processing chipset is configured to instantiate and host an embedded operating system for operating the electronically interactive device. The embedded operating system can host device drivers for operating multiple magnetometers M and any coprocessors associated with the device drivers. The device drivers can further operate a communication interface 18, an electrically driven circuit 22, a capacitive positioning sensing circuit 23, a resistive positioning sensing circuit 24, and a non-volatile memory 25. The embedded operating system can host a device driver capable of operating a power source 14.

[0123] In one embodiment, the processing circuit 16 includes a coprocessor configured to receive magnetic field measurement data from a plurality of magnetometers M and output position data, such as the positioning and / or orientation of the user-carried device 50, to the processing circuit 16. However, in other embodiments, the positioning determination process may be performed by the processing circuit 16 without the need for a coprocessor.

[0124] In one embodiment, the electronic interactive display also includes a communication interface 18 communicatively connected to the processing circuitry 16. In another embodiment, the communication interface 18 may communicate using I2C™, USB™, SPI™, USART™, or wireless interfaces such as WiFi™, Bluetooth™ or Bluetooth Low Energy™, wired Ethernet interfaces, or IrDA interfaces.

[0125] In one embodiment, the electronic interactive display 10 further includes an electrode driving circuit 22. The electrode driving circuit 22 is capable of energizing at least a portion of the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C.

[0126] In the implementation scheme, the electronic interactive display 10 also includes a capacitive positioning sensing circuit 23.

[0127] In embodiments including a capacitive touch sensing layer 20E, a capacitive positioning sensing circuit 23 generates a position in the (XS, YS) plane based on the touch location of the user-carrying device 50 or, for example, another element such as a user's finger on the electronic interactive display 10. In this embodiment, the proximal end or tip of the user-carrying device includes, for example, a conductive tip. For example, the capacitive positioning sensing circuit 23 can handle mutual inductance or self-inductance positioning detection. The capacitive positioning sensing circuit 23 provides the current position in the (XS, YS) plane to the processor 16. In embodiments, the capacitive positioning sensing circuit 23 can generate a signal representing pressure on the touch sensing layer 20E, for example, based on the detected size of the finger pad.

[0128] In one embodiment, the electronic interactive display 10 further includes a force-sensing resistive positioning sensing circuit 24. In an embodiment including a force-sensing resistive sensing layer 20F, the force-sensing resistive positioning sensing circuit 24 generates a position in the (XS, YS) plane based on the touch location of a user's finger on the electronic interactive display 10, based on the user-carrying device 50 or, for example, another element such as applying physical pressure on the interactive display layer 20B. The force-sensing resistive positioning sensing circuit 24 provides the current position in the (XS, YS) plane, and in this example, a representative measurement of the applied pressure at that point, to the processing circuit 16.

[0129] In one embodiment, the electronic interactive display 10 further includes non-volatile memory 25. The non-volatile memory is configured, for example, to store computer program elements for executing, on the processing circuitry 16 of the electronic interactive display 10, a computer-implemented method according to the third aspect or an embodiment thereof. In another embodiment, the non-volatile memory may further store operational data or library data. In yet another embodiment, the non-volatile memory stores a handwriting library specifying, for example, the trace width as a function of the orientation (θ, γ) detected by the user-carrying device and / or the pressure or detected height of the user-carrying device 50.

[0130] Figure 5The placement of multiple magnetometers M relative to the substrate of the electronic interactive display 10 is schematically illustrated. Generally, the multiple magnetometers M can be placed around the frame 11 defined by regions 116a, 118a, 114a, 116a of the electronic interactive device 10, and / or placed in the central region of the electronic interactive device 10 having a height 1H, a width 1W, and a length 1L.

[0131] Figure 5 All other components of the electronic interactive device 110, such as printed circuit boards and batteries, have been omitted to make the boundaries of the mounting areas of the multiple magnetometers more clearly visible.

[0132] In the following discussion, “housing” 112 refers to the housing of the electronic interactive device 10. In this discussion, it is assumed that housing 112 has a square or rectangular shape, but those skilled in the art will understand that a general mounting area for the magnetometer array defined below can be roughly estimated to suit housings, for example, those with rounded corners or other forms.

[0133] According to the example, the length of the housing 112 defined by 1L is within one of the following ranges: 5cm - 10cm, 10cm - 15cm, 15cm - 20cm, 20cm - 25cm, 25cm - 30cm, 30cm - 35cm, or 35cm - 40cm.

[0134] According to the example, the width of the housing 112 defined by 1W is within one of the following ranges: 5cm - 10cm, 10cm - 15cm, 15cm - 20cm, 20cm - 25cm, 25cm - 30cm, 30cm - 35cm, or 35cm - 40cm.

[0135] According to the implementation scheme, the magnetometers physically located in the first part 114a uniquely include those operatively connected to the first plurality of magnetometers MA1. Magnetometers not associated with the first plurality of magnetometers MA1 are not physically located within the first part 114a.

[0136] According to the implementation scheme, the magnetometers physically located in the second part 116a uniquely include those operatively connected to the second plurality of magnetometers MA2. Magnetometers not associated with the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are not physically located within the second part 116a.

[0137] According to the implementation scheme, the magnetometers physically located in the third part 118a uniquely include those operatively connected to the third plurality of magnetometers MA3. Magnetometers not associated with the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are not physically located within the third part 118a.

[0138] According to the implementation scheme, the magnetometers physically located in Part 4 120a uniquely include those operatively connected to the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4. Magnetometers not associated with the fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 are not physically located within Part 4 120a.

[0139] According to the implementation scheme, the magnetometer physically located in Part 5 130 uniquely includes the magnetometer operatively connected to the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5. Magnetometers not associated with the fifth plurality of magnetometers MA5 are not physically located within Part 5 130.

[0140] According to the implementation scheme, a line orthogonal to and separating the first surface 114 and the first inner boundary plane 114b of the housing 112 defines a first partial separation distance 114d, and the ratio between the first partial separation distance 114d and the width W of the housing 12 is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1 or 0.05.

[0141] According to the implementation plan, the first part is separated by a distance of 114d less than one of the following: 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 10mm, 15mm or 20mm.

[0142] According to the implementation scheme, the first portion 114a of the housing 112, which includes a first plurality of magnetometers MA1, has a cubic shape defined by the length, width and height of the first portion.

[0143] According to the implementation scheme, the first surface of the housing 112 is closest to and faces the user of the electronic interactive device 10 during operation.

[0144] According to the implementation scheme, the first portion 114a of the housing 112 has a length greater than one of the following: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 82.5%, 85%, 87.5% or 90%, 92.5%, 95% or 97.5% of the total length 1L of the housing 112.

[0145] According to the implementation scheme, the first part 114a is centered on the line of symmetry of the housing 112, or the first part 114a is adjacent to the second surface 116 or the third surface 118 that are perpendicular to the first surface 114 of the housing 112.

[0146] According to the implementation scheme, the first part 114a extends along substantially the entire length L of the housing 112.

[0147] According to the implementation plan, the electronic interactive device 110 also includes:

[0148] - A second plurality of magnetometers MA2 relative to the reference coordinate system of housing 112, wherein the second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are surrounded by housing 112. The second plurality of magnetometers MA2 are located within a second portion 116a of housing 112. The second portion 116a is located within a second outer boundary plane 116c that shares an edge with the second surface of housing 112 and a second inner boundary plane 116b that is parallel to the second outer boundary plane 116c.

[0149] According to the implementation scheme, a line orthogonal to and separating the second surface and the second inner boundary plane 116b of the housing 112 defines a second portion separation distance 116d, and the ratio between the second portion separation distance 116d and the length L of the housing 112 is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1 or 0.05.

[0150] According to the implementation plan, the separation distance of the second part 116d is less than one of the following: 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 10mm, 15mm or 20mm.

[0151] According to the embodiment, the electronic interactive device 110 further includes a third plurality of magnetometers MA3 relative to a reference coordinate system of the housing 112, wherein the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are surrounded by the housing 112. The third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are located within a third portion 118a of the housing 112, and the third portion 118a is located within a third outer boundary plane 118c that shares an edge with the third surface 118 of the housing 112 and a third inner boundary plane 118b that is parallel to the third outer boundary plane 118c.

[0152] According to the implementation scheme, the third part separation distance 118d is defined in a direction orthogonal to and between the third surface 118 and the third inner boundary plane 118b of the housing 112, and the ratio between the third part separation distance 118d and the length 1L of the housing 112 is less than one of the following: 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1 or 0.05.

[0153] According to the implementation plan, the separation distance of the third part 118d is less than one of the following: 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 10mm, 15mm or 20mm.

[0154] According to the implementation scheme, the third plurality of magnetometers MA3 are adjacent to the third surface 118 of the housing 112.

[0155] According to the embodiment, the electronic device 110 further includes a fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 relative to a reference coordinate system of the housing 112. The fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 are surrounded by the housing 112. The fourth plurality of magnetometers MA4 are located within a fourth portion 120a of the housing 112. The fourth portion 120a is located within a fourth outer boundary plane 120c that shares an edge with the fourth surface 120 of the housing 112 and a fourth inner boundary plane 120b that is parallel to the fourth outer boundary plane.

[0156] According to the implementation scheme, the fourth surface 120 of the housing 112 is furthest from the user of the electronic device 10 and away from the user during operation.

[0157] According to the embodiment, the housing 12 includes at least a user interaction portion 8 at a reference height above the base portion of the housing 12 in the user interaction plane. The electronic device 110 also includes a fifth plurality of magnetometers (MA5) surrounded by the housing 112.

[0158] Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view schematically illustrates the placement of multiple magnetometers relative to the substrate of the electronic interactive display 10. The height of the housing 1H falls within one of the following ranges: 0 mm - 2 mm, 2 mm - 3 mm, 3 mm - 4 mm, 4 mm - 5 mm, 5 mm - 6 mm, 6 mm - 7 mm, 7 mm - 8 mm, 8 mm - 9 mm, 9 mm - 10 mm, 10 mm - 15 mm, 15 mm - 20 mm.

[0159] Figure 7 Different sets of magnetometer arrays M are schematically illustrated.

[0160] In the implementation scheme, these may be named a magnetometer group or a magnetometer array.

[0161] Figure 7 a) An example is illustrated of a plurality of linear magnetometers MA1 having an aspect ratio suitable for use in the frame members 11A, 11B of an electronic device 10, such as a tablet computer, in proximity to or in contact with the magnetometers. According to the example, the aspect ratio (width:length) of the printed circuit board supporting the plurality of magnetometers is 1:30, 1:25, 1:20, 1:15, or 1:10. Figure 7 Example a) illustrates a linear array of multiple magnetometers MA1, comprising two rows of magnetometers separated by a pitch distance D. Each row of magnetometers 132 is separated by a distance S1. In the example, the magnetometers in the first row are offset by an offset distance S0 relative to the magnetometers in the second row. According to the embodiment, the passive component 134 required for the operation of each magnetometer 132 is disposed within the gap defined by the offset distance S0.

[0162] Figure 7 b) provides an example Figure 7 A variant of a), in which multiple linear magnetometers MA1#2 are arranged in a single row.

[0163] Figure 7 c) An example is illustrated of multiple magnetometers arranged in a set of two offset rows mounted on a printed circuit board suitable for use on the second surface 116 or the third surface 118 of the housing 12 of the electronic device 10. In particular, the printed circuit board MA2 may have an aspect ratio (width:length) of 1:10, 1:7, 1:5 or 1:3.

[0164] Figure 7 d) shows multiple magnetometers arranged as single lines on a printed circuit board.

[0165] Figure 7 e) An example of a two-dimensional matrix of magnetometers MA5, as previously discussed in this specification, suitable for use, for example, below an interactive display layer 20B. The printed circuit board includes a width dimension WMA5 and a length dimension LMA5. In the length dimension, the spacing of the magnetometers 34 is defined by a distance S2. The offset in the length direction between magnetometers 34 on adjacent rows of the matrix is ​​defined by dimension S5. In the width dimension, the spacing between rows is defined by dimension S4.

[0166] Figure 7 f) illustrates a view of the magnetometer array, which shows more details of the arrangement of the magnetometer 132 relative to the offset passive component 134.

[0167] According to the implementation plan, each of the first plurality of magnetometers M1 to the fifth plurality of magnetometers M5 comprises a network of N magnetometers arranged in rows or matrices, more specifically, wherein N is greater than 5, 16, 32, 64, 128 or 256.

[0168] In one embodiment, the interactive display layer 20B further includes one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C, and the one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C are configured to apply an electric field to one or more spatial portions of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0169] The combination of an electronic interactive display with multiple magnetometers M and an interactive display layer 20B containing magnetostrictive materials enables several new applications that will now be discussed.

[0170] Figure 8A The illustration illustrates changing the image between visual states.

[0171] This example relates to an interactive display layer 20B disposed within a layer, along with one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C. In this example, a magnet 54 located at the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50 is initially used to provide a trace in the interactive display layer 20B that allows the interactive display layer 20B to switch between a first visual state and a second visual state. While the trace is being magnetically addressed in the interactive display layer 20B, a processing circuit 16 uses multiple magnetometers M to record, for example, the corresponding position (XI, YI) where the visual state has changed from the first visual state to the second visual state. The processing circuit 16 is typically able to measure or calculate, for example, the position of the user-carrying device 50 and the corresponding position (XI, YI) where the visual state has changed from the first visual state, based on the magnetic field from the second magnet 52 and sensed by the multiple magnetometers M.

[0172] In the implementation scheme, the interactive display layer 20B can be configured into a third visual state and a fourth visual state, respectively, based on the polarity of the electric field applied by one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C.

[0173] In one embodiment, one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C are driven and / or updated based on screen display data, causing the processing circuit 16 to change a portion of the interactive display layer 20B that has previously been changed from a first visual state to a second visual state by magnetic actuation of the user-carried device 50 to a third or fourth visual state by driving one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C based on screen display data.

[0174] In the implementation scheme, the third and fourth visual states have higher contrast than the first and second visual states.

[0175] In the implementation scheme, the processing circuit 16 can transform a portion of the interactive display layer 20B that has previously transitioned from a first visual state to a second visual state to one of a third or fourth visual state, wherein the delay is less than 100ms, 75ms, 50ms, 45ms, 40ms, 35ms, 30ms, 25ms, 20ms, 15ms, 10ms, or 5ms. In this way, the change of the interactive display layer from the first visual state to the second visual state and then to one of the third or fourth visual states is subjectively imperceptible to the user U of the electronic interactive display 10.

[0176] Another use of the electronic interactive display according to the embodiment described in the first aspect is to prepare the interactive display layer 20B for writing on a portion or all of it based on the proximity of the user-carried device to the interactive display layer 20B detected by multiple magnetometers M. This is referred to as display pre-start.

[0177] Figure 8B A computer-implemented method 800 for changing an image between visual states is illustrated schematically.

[0178] The computer-implemented method 800 can be executed by the processor circuitry 16 of the electronic interactive display 10. Specifically, in step 801, the processor circuitry 16 detects the magnetically addressed position coordinates or pixels (X1, Y1) of the interactive display layer 20B. At step 802, the processor circuitry 16 rewrites the magnetically addressed position coordinates or pixels by biasing one or more pixel electrodes of the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C.

[0179] Figure 9A The first stage of the pre-start function of the electronic display is illustrated schematically.

[0180] Figure 9B The second stage of the pre-start function of the electronic display is illustrated schematically.

[0181] Figure 9C The third stage of the pre-start function of the electronic display is illustrated schematically.

[0182] In one embodiment, the processing circuit 16 is configured to drive one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C to apply a pre-starting electric field to at least a subset of the interactive display layer 20B, the at least a subset corresponding to a determined position of the user-carried device 50 obtained using a plurality of magnetometers M.

[0183] For example, in Figure 9A In this configuration, the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50, which includes a magnet 54 of a magnetostrictive material for actuating the interactive display layer 20B, is held at a distance D greater than the maximum separation distance d. This distance between the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50 and the interactive display layer 20B is determined by the processing circuit 16 based on magnetic field measurement data of the magnet 52 included in the user-carrying device 50 obtained from multiple magnetometers M.

[0184] exist Figure 9BIn this process, the proximal end P' of the user-carrying device 50' is moved by the user, such that the separation distance D is less than the maximum separation distance d. At this maximum separation distance, the magnet 54, used to actuate the magnetostrictive material of the interactive display layer 20B', begins to influence the magnetostrictive material of the interactive display layer 20B'. The processing circuit 16 monitors the positioning of the magnet 52 of the user-carrying device 50' in the XS, YS, and ZS dimensions of the electronic interactive display 10 to make this determination. In this embodiment, the processing circuit 16 performs a coordinate transformation from the coordinate system (XD, YD, ZD) of the user-carrying device 50 to the coordinate system of the electronic interactive display 10 to enable this determination.

[0185] Therefore, processing circuit 16 activates drive circuit 22, which is configured to apply an electric field to the (XS, YS) coordinates of the proximal end P' of the user-carrying device 50' detected by processing circuit 16. Thus, processing circuit 16 energizes the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C by applying an electric field capable of pre-activating the magnetostrictive material (since the magnetostrictive material is an electrophoretic material, it also responds to electro-actuation). In other words, processing circuit 16 can enhance the rendering by providing greater contrast compared to rendering performed by magneto-actuation (using an electrical addressing subsystem).

[0186] In one implementation, the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C across the entire width and length of the interactive display layer 20B are energized, and in this case, the processing circuit 16 does not need to track the (XS, YS) coordinates of the proximal end P' of the user-carrying device 50' because the entire interactive display layer 20B is pre-activated.

[0187] According to another embodiment, the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C spanning the pre-activation region are energized, for example, by applying an electric field to pixels of the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C across a pre-activation region (subset) adjacent to the width and length of the interactive display layer 20B. For example, a square or circular region of the interactive display layer 20B centered at (XS, YS) coordinates of the proximal end P' of the user-carrying device 50' is pre-activated. The pre-activated square or circular region of the interactive display layer 20B may be represented as a portion of 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% of the total area of ​​the interactive display layer 20B.

[0188] exist Figure 9CIn this process, the electronic interactive display 10'' (where a suitably pre-activated subset of the interactive display layer 20B is located near the proximal end of the user-carrying device 50'') displays a trace applied by the magnet 54 of the user-carrying device 50''. This trace is in a third or fourth visual state of the interactive display layer 20B, rather than a first or second visual state, because the pre-activation of the interactive display layer 20B using an electric field makes it easier for the pigment in the electrophoretic display to move within the interactive display layer 20B via the magnetic field of the magnet 54 in the user-carrying device 50'.

[0189] Figure 9D A computer-implemented method 900 for pre-starting an electronic display is schematically illustrated. For example, in step 901, processing circuitry 16 obtains the proximity d between the proximal end of user-carrying device 50 and interactive display layer 20B by performing a magnetic field measurement on magnet 52 of user-carrying device 50 and digitizing the position of the proximal end of user-carrying device 50. In step 902, it is determined whether the proximal end (tip) of user-carrying device 50 is within a threshold distance from interactive display layer 20B. If the condition is not met, the program flow returns to step 901. If the condition is met, in step 903, the display electrode is pre-started according to, for example, any pre-start mode. Processing circuitry 16 continuously samples the position of the proximal end of user-carrying device 50 by tracking the position of magnet 52 using multiple magnetometers M. If the processing circuit 16 detects movement (lateral translation in the XS, YS plane) of the proximal end of the user-carrying device 50 relative to the interactive display layer 20B, then at step 905, the processing circuit 16 adjusts the addressing of the energized first electrode array and / or second electrode array to thus translate the pre-activated electrode region. If the processing circuit 16 detects that the proximal end of the user-carrying device 50 has been retracted such that the tip is farther than a threshold distance in the ZS dimension relative to the interactive display layer 20B, then the pre-activated electrode region can be de-energized.

[0190] Additionally or alternatively, a force-sensing resistor (FSR) array 20F is located between the substrate 12 and the interactive display layer 20B. The FSR array 20F is configured to track and detect changes in motion of at least one electrical and / or electronic passive user-carrying device 50, which houses at least one permanent magnet 52, 54.

[0191] In one embodiment, the interactive display layer 20B further includes a capacitive touch sensing layer 20E and / or a force sensing resistor layer 20F. The processing circuitry 16 is further configured to use the capacitive touch sensing layer 20E and / or the force sensing resistor layer 20F to locate the proximal end of the user-carrying device 50 or another object.

[0192] For example, the force-sensing resistor layer 20F is configured to detect pressure applied by the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50. The pre-starting field applied by the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C is proportional to the pressure detected by the force-sensing resistor layer 20F. In one example, a first pressure lower than the second pressure detected by the force-sensing resistor layer 20F causes the proximal magnet 54 of the user-carrying device 50 to induce a less saturated mark on the interactive display layer 20B. In another example, a first pressure higher than the second pressure detected by the force-sensing resistor layer 20F causes the proximal magnet 54 of the user-carrying device 50 to induce a more saturated mark on the interactive display layer 20B. This results in, for example, a more realistic subjective writing experience.

[0193] In one embodiment, the processing circuit 16 is configured to detect spatial portions of the interactive display layer 20B addressed via user interaction with the capacitive touch sensing layer 20E and / or the force sensing resistor layer 20F, and the processing circuit 16 is configured to change the visual state of the interactive display layer 20B at positions corresponding to the portions addressed using the capacitive touch sensing layer 20E and / or the force sensing resistor layer 20F. For example, the capacitive touch sensing layer 20E can also be used to generate pre-start positions (XS, YS) of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0194] In this implementation, the force-sensing resistor layer 20F and / or the capacitive touch sensing layer 20E detects contact with another object not carried by the user on the device 50. For example, either or both of the force-sensing resistor layer 20F and / or the capacitive touch sensing layer 20E can detect the touch of a human finger or a regular pencil or stylus, and can drive the interactive display layer 20B to a third or fourth visual state.

[0195] Figure 10A This illustration demonstrates how changing the pattern can be achieved by redirecting the user's carrying device.

[0196] Figure 10B A computer implementation method for changing modes by redirecting the user's carried device is illustrated schematically.

[0197] Generally, the redirection of the user-carrying device 50 can signal the change in mode of the electronic interactive display 10 to the processing circuitry 16. For this purpose, the user-carrying device 50 may include an additional distal magnet 56. In another embodiment, the electronic interactive display 10 may detect the redirection of the user-carrying device 50 by measuring the magnetic field associated with the magnet 52 to track the magnet 52. In this embodiment, the additional distal magnet 56 may have a polarity different from that of the proximal magnet 54, and preferably opposite polarity. If the proximal magnet 54 is able to change the visual state of the interactive display layer 20B from a first visual state to a second visual state, then the distal magnet 56, having a polarity opposite to that of the proximal magnet 54, can, for example, change the visual state of the interactive display layer 20B from the second visual state back to the first visual state. Specifically, this allows the user-carrying device 50 to be used in a manner similar to a conventional pencil eraser. However, in some implementations, erasure provided by the distal magnet 56 may be incomplete, and magnetic tracking using multiple magnetometers M allows the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C to drive the erased portion of the interactive display layer 20B to a third or fourth visual state in a manner opposite to that used when writing marks are made on the interactive display layer 20B using the proximal magnet 54. This enables the use of a user-carried device 50 to provide convincing erasure performance.

[0198] In one embodiment, the processing circuit 16 is configured to use magnetic field measurement data to detect that the user-carried device 50, including the magnet, has been redirected in the sensing volume S in the reference coordinate system. The processing circuit 16 is configured to change from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, or vice versa, when the processing circuit 16 has detected that the user-carried device 50 has been redirected in the sensing volume.

[0199] In one implementation, the first magnet 54 of the user-carrying device 50 is closer to the interactive display layer 20B than the second magnet 52 of the user-carrying device 50. The processing circuit 16 defines the user-carrying device 50 as operating in a first operating mode. The second magnet 52 of the user-carrying device 50 is closer to the interactive display layer 20B than the first magnet 52, and the processing circuit 16 defines the user-carrying device 50 as operating in a second operating mode.

[0200] In this implementation, the first operating mode is the writing mode of the electronic interactive display 10, and the second operating mode is the erasing mode of the electronic interactive display 10. In this implementation, the electronic interactive display 10 does not receive user commands from its button or menu functions to switch between the first and second operating modes.

[0201] Figure 11AThe application of the trace variation function based on the user's carrying device orientation is illustrated schematically.

[0202] Figure 11B A method for a computer implementation of trace changes based on the orientation of a user's carrying device is illustrated schematically.

[0203] According to the implementation scheme, the processing circuit is configured to obtain a trace change function from at least one electronic pen model stored on the electronic interactive display. Based on the orientation of the user-carrying device relative to the interactive display layer determined from magnetic field measurement data, and according to the orientation of the at least one electronic pen model and the user-carrying device at the spatial location of the interactive display, the circuit executes a transition from a second visual state to a third or fourth visual state by driving a first pixel electrode array and a second pixel electrode array based on screen representation mask data.

[0204] In this implementation, the ability to use multiple magnetometers M to track the orientation (θ, γ) of the user-carrying device 50 relative to the surface of the interactive display layer 20B allows the electronic interactive display 10 to generate a calligraphy effect when the user U draws or writes on the interactive display layer 20B. Specifically, the calligraphy pen tip effect allows the user to apply a change in the coarseness of a mark on the interactive display layer 20B based on the orientation (θ, γ) of the user-carrying device 50, which can be detected by tracking the precession of the magnet 52 using multiple magnetometers M during writing. In this implementation, the magnet 54 at the proximal end of the user-carrying device 50 can form a mark with minimal coarseness in the interactive display layer 20B. Furthermore, this fine mark is achieved using the change in visual state between a first visual state and a second visual state of the interactive display layer 20B. In other words, the initial fine mark is only affected by the magnetic interaction between the magnet 54 and the magnetostrictive material contained in the interactive display layer 20B.

[0205] When a fine mark is formed by the user-carrying device 50, multiple magnetometers M record changes in the orientation (θ, γ) of the user-carrying device 50 relative to the surface of the interactive display layer. For each value of orientation (θ, γ), the processing circuit 16 searches a handwriting library (stored in non-volatile memory 25 on the electronic interactive display 10) for a corresponding mark roughness defined for each range of orientation (θ, γ). As the user-carrying device 50 moves across the interactive display layer 20B, the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C apply mark roughness by energizing the pixels of the first electrode array 20A and / or the second electrode array 20C according to the corresponding mark roughness at each (X, Y) position of the handwriting. In one embodiment, the mark roughness is varied using the distance between the proximal end of the user device and the interactive display layer 20B. In another embodiment, the mark roughness is varied using pressure applied to the interactive display layer 20B (detected, for example, by an FSR array).

[0206] In one embodiment, the processing circuit 16 is configured to obtain a trace variation function from at least one electronic pen tip model stored on the electronic interactive display 10. In another embodiment, the electronic pen tip model is a function of the orientation (θ, γ) of the user-carrying device 50 and / or the pressure sensed by the force-sensing resistor array 20F of the electronic interactive display 10.

[0207] In the implementation scheme, based on the orientation of the user-carrying device 50 relative to the interactive display layer 20B determined from magnetic field measurement data, and according to at least one electronic pen tip model and the orientation of the user-carrying device 50 at the spatial position of the interactive display, the scheme executes a transition from a second visual state to a third or fourth visual state by driving one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20B based on screen representation data.

[0208] In the implementation scheme, the processing circuit 16 is configured to: identify the type of user-carried device 50 based on magnetic field measurement data; and select at least one electronic pen tip model stored on the electronic interactive display 10 for application when performing a transition from a second visual state to a third or fourth visual state based on the selected pen tip model.

[0209] In this implementation, processing circuitry 16 is configured to receive data for display on interactive display layer 20B via a communication interface. Processing circuitry 16 is configured to display data on interactive display layer 20B using one or more electrode arrays 20A, 20C. Processing circuitry 16 is configured to detect annotations or erasures made to the data displayed on the interactive display using magnetic field measurement data from user-carried device 50. Processing circuitry 16 is configured to store annotations on the data by either modifying the data or appending metadata defining the annotations to the data.

[0210] According to this embodiment, a digital file in a typical data format such as Portable Document Format (.pdf) is received via a communication interface or loaded from the non-volatile memory 25 of the electronic interactive device 10, and the digital file is displayed on the interactive display layer 20B via an operating system executed by the processing circuitry 16 of the electronic interactive device 10. For example, the electric drive circuitry 22 drives the interactive display layer 20B, causing the content of the digital file to be displayed on the interactive display layer 20B in a third or fourth visual state.

[0211] In one example, one or more of a plurality of magnetometers, capacitive positioning sensing circuits 23, or resistive positioning sensing circuits 24 are configured to detect annotations added to a digital file on an interactive display 20B via a user-portable device 50. In this example, the operating system of the electronic interactive device is configured to modify the digital file or generate a copy of the digital file, including adding annotations in bitmap or grayscale format by the user-portable device 50 on the interactive display 20B. Some versions of portable document formats enable annotations as metadata, and in some embodiments, processing circuitry 16 is configured to read annotations detected by capacitive positioning sensing circuits 23 or resistive positioning sensing circuits 24 and generate metadata representing the annotations added to the original file.

[0212] Figure 12 A side cross-sectional view of an exemplary user-carrying device 50 is schematically illustrated.

[0213] According to a second aspect, a user-carrying device 50 for use with an interactive display layer 20B comprising magnetostrictive materials 19A, 19B of an electronic interactive display 10 includes an elongated body 51 defining a longitudinal axis L of the user-carrying device 50. The elongated body 51 includes a proximal end P and a distal end D.

[0214] The user-carrying device 50 also includes a first magnet 54 and a second magnet 52. The first magnet is disposed at or near the proximal end of the elongated body 51, and the second magnet is disposed along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device between the first magnet 54 and the distal end D of the elongated body 51. The second magnet 52 has a magnetic moment that is at least twice that of the first magnet 54.

[0215] In one embodiment, a first magnet 54 disposed at or near the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50 is configured to provide magnetic strength characteristics with a relatively concentrated magnetic flux pattern at the surface of the interactive display layer 20B to move coloring particles of the electromagnetic coating ink. Typically, the first magnet 54 may be up to 40 times smaller in size (length and / or width) than the second magnet 52 used to track the position of the user-carrying device 50. Typically, the equivalent magnetic moment of the first magnet 54 is, for example, 0.004 Am². Typically, the equivalent magnetic moment of the second magnet 54 is, for example, 0.18 Am².

[0216] If the first magnet 54 is made stronger, it will typically increase the area of ​​the activated electrophoretic ink in the interactive display layer 20B of the electronic interactive device 10 according to the first aspect. Readability will be compromised. Therefore, the second magnet 52 for magnetic tracking should be placed further away from the proximal end P of the user-carrying device 50 to ensure that magnetic tracking using multiple magnetometers M is still possible while providing acceptable writing readability.

[0217] In the example, by using a magnet with a small diameter relative to its longitudinal axis, a first magnet 54 can be guided to induce a compact magnetic flux in a small spatial region of the interactive display layer 20B. In a specific example, the first magnet 54 has a diameter between 2 mm and 3 mm, and a length between approximately 20 mm and 30 mm.

[0218] In addition, such as Figure 12 As shown, the first magnet 54 and the second magnet 52 can be arranged on the common longitudinal axis L of the user-carrying device 50. Given that the first magnet 54, used for magnetic induction writing on the interactive display layer 20B, is physically smaller (relative to its magnetic moment), the second magnet 52, used for magnetic tracking, can be arranged further along the longitudinal axis toward the distal end D of the user-carrying device 50. In this case, the second magnet 52, intended for magnetic tracking of the user-carrying device 50, is not disturbed by the smaller first magnet 54 (in terms of magnetic flux strength and physical size). Furthermore, because the second magnet 52 is positioned further away from the interactive display layer 20B during use of the user-carrying device 50, the second magnet 52 does not alter the visual state of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0219] In one embodiment, the second magnet 52, or the centroid of the second magnet 52, is disposed along the longitudinal axis L at a portion of the elongated body 51 defined in the second magnet mounting range L52, wherein the second magnet 52 mounting range L52 is defined as being between 0.1 and 0.2, or between 0.2 and 0.3, or between 0.3 and 0.4, or between 0.4 and 0.5, or between 0.5 and 0.6, or between 0.6 and 0.7, or between 0.7 and 0.8, or between 0.8 and 0.9, or between 0.9 and 0.99, of the total length of the elongated body 51 as measured from the proximal end P.

[0220] In the embodiment, the first magnet and / or the second magnet 52 has a total length within one of the following ranges: between 0.1 and 0.2, or between 0.2 and 0.3, or between 0.3 and 0.4, or between 0.4 and 0.5, or between 0.5 and 0.6, or between 0.6 and 0.7, or between 0.7 and 0.8, or between 0.8 and 0.9 of the total length of the elongated body 51.

[0221] In the implementation, the first magnet 54 and / or the second magnet 52 have a diameter or thickness perpendicular to the elongated body 51 within one of the following ranges: 0.5mm - 1.0mm, 1.0mm - 1.5mm, 1.5mm - 2.0mm, 2.0mm - 2.25mm, 2.25mm - 2.5mm, 2.5mm - 2.75mm, 2.75mm - 3.0mm, 3.0mm - 3.5mm, 3.5mm - 4.0mm, 3.5mm - 4.0mm, 4.0mm - 4.5mm, 4.5mm - 5.0mm, 5.0mm - 5.5mm, 5.5mm - 6.0mm, 6.0mm - 6.5mm, 6.5mm - 7.0mm, 7.0mm - 7.5mm, 7.5mm - 8.0mm, 8.0mm - 8.5mm, 8.5mm -9.0mm, 9.0mm - 9.5mm, 9.5mm - 10.0mm, 10mm.

[0222] In the implementation scheme, the total distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated body 51 is greater than 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, 95 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm, 110 mm, 115 mm, 120 mm, 125 mm, 130 mm, 135 mm, 140 mm, 145 mm, 150 mm, 155 mm, 160 mm, 165 mm, 170 mm, 175 mm, 180 mm, 185 mm, 190 mm, 195 mm, or 200 mm.

[0223] In the implementation, the first magnet 54 is connected to the proximal end via a temporary fastener.

[0224] In the implementation scheme, the field F54 emitted by the first magnet 54 changes the appearance of a magnetostrictive material, such as an electrophoretic material, from a first visual state to a second visual state during use.

[0225] In the embodiment, the first magnet 54 has a magnetic moment within one of the following ranges: 0.001Am² – 0.002Am², 0.002Am² – 0.003Am², 0.003Am² – 0.004Am², 0.0035Am² – 0.0045Am², 0.003Am² – 0.005Am², 0.005Am² – 0.006Am², 0.006Am² – 0.007Am², 0.007Am² – 0.008Am², 0.008Am² – 0.009Am², or 0.009Am² – 0.01Am², 0.01Am² – 0.02Am², 0.02Am² – 0.03Am², 0.03Am² – 0.04Am², 0.04Am² – 0.05Am2, 0.05Am2 - 0.06Am2, 0.06Am2 - 0.07Am2, 0.07Am2 - 0.08Am2, 0.08Am2 - 0.09Am2, or 0.1Am2.

[0226] In the implementation scheme, the second magnet 52 can be adjusted between a first positioning and a second positioning along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 51.

[0227] In one embodiment, the second magnet 52 is configured to be detectable by a plurality of magnetometers M, which together generate a sensing volume S adjacent to the electronic interactive display 10 during use.

[0228] In the implementation scheme, the magnetic axis of the second magnet 52 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the second magnet 54.

[0229] In the implementation scheme, the second magnet 52 is used to change the appearance of a magnetostrictive material, such as an electrophoretic material, from a first visual state to a second visual state without relying on magnetic stimulation.

[0230] In the embodiment, the second magnet 52 has a magnetic moment within one of the following ranges: less than 0.1 Am², or between: 0.1 Am² - 0.3 Am², 0.3 Am² - 0.6 Am², 0.6 Am² - 0.9 Am², 0.9 Am² - 1.2 Am², 1.2 Am² - 1.5 Am², 1.5 Am² - 1.8 Am², 1.8 Am² - 2.1 Am², 2.1 Am² - 2.4 Am², 2.4 Am² - 2.7 Am², 2.7 Am² - 3.0 Am², 3.0 Am² - 3.3 Am², 3.3 Am² - 3.6 Am², 3.6 Am² - 3.9 Am², 3.9 Am² - 4.2 Am², 4.2 Am² - 4.5 Am², 4.5 Am² - 4.8 Am², 4.8 Am² - 5.1Am2, 5.1Am2 - 5.4Am2, 5.4Am2 - 5.7Am2, 5.7Am2 - 6.0Am2, 6.0Am2 - 6.3Am2, 6.3Am2 - 6.6Am2, 6.6Am2 -6.9Am2, 6.9Am2 - 7.2Am2, 7.2Am2 - 7.5Am2, 7.5Am2 - 7.8Am2, 7.8Am2 - 8.1Am2, 8.1Am2 - 8.4Am2, 8.4Am2 - 8.7Am2, 8.7Am2 - 9.0Am2, 9.0Am2 - 9.3Am2, 9.3Am2 - 9.6Am2, 9.6Am2 - 9.9Am2.

[0231] In the implementation scheme, the magnetic axis of the first magnet 54 is substantially aligned with the magnetic axis of the second magnet 52.

[0232] In the implementation, the polarity orientation of the first magnet 54 along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device is substantially opposite to that of the second magnet 52 along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device.

[0233] In the implementation, the polarity orientation of the first magnet 54 along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device is substantially aligned with, or substantially parallel to, the polarity orientation of the second magnet 52 along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device.

[0234] In one embodiment, the user-carrying device further includes a third magnet 56 disposed at the distal end of the elongated body 51. The third magnet 56 can be used, for example, to erase the interactive display of the electronic interactive device 10. The plurality of magnetometers M of the electronic interactive device 10 according to the first aspect can, for example, detect the different polarities of the third magnet 56, so that the electronic interactive device 10 can also construct a map of the erased area of ​​the interactive display layer 20B.

[0235] According to the implementation scheme, a model of the rendering effect of the first magnet and / or the second magnet can be measured, and the model is loaded into the non-volatile memory 25 of the associated electronic interactive device 10.

[0236] In the implementation scheme, the third magnet 56 has the opposite polarity to the first magnet 54.

[0237] In one embodiment, the third magnet 56 is a strip-shaped pole magnet having a polar orientation aligned along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0238] In the implementation, one or more of the first magnet 54, the second magnet 52 and / or the third magnet 56 are permanent magnets, including, for example, neodymium or ferrite.

[0239] In the implementation, the third magnet 56 has a smaller magnetic moment than the first magnet 54 and the second magnet 52.

[0240] In the implementation scheme, the second magnet 52 is a cylindrical magnet or a ring magnet.

[0241] In the implementation scheme, one or more of the first magnet 54, the second magnet 52 and / or the third magnet 56 are electromagnets.

[0242] In the implementation scheme, the user-carried device also includes a power supply and a drive circuit configured to drive at least one of the electromagnets.

[0243] Figure 13 A computer-implemented method 60 for operating an electronic interactive display is illustrated schematically.

[0244] According to a third aspect, a computer-implemented method 60 for operating an electronic interactive display 10 is provided, the method comprising:

[0245] - Using a plurality of magnetometers M that define the reference coordinate system of the electronic interactive display 10, a user-carried device 50 within the sensing volume S of the interactive display layer 20B adjacent to the electronic interactive display 10 is used to perform 62 magnetic field measurements on the device 50. Each of the plurality of magnetometers M has a rigid spatial relationship with the electronic interactive display.

[0246] - Based on the magnetic field measurement, the magnetic field measurement data is provided to the processing circuit 16 by 64; and

[0247] - When at least one user-carrying device 50 is present in the sensing volume S, determine 64 the position and / or orientation of the user-carrying device 50, including at least one magnet, relative to the interactive display layer 20B.

[0248] In the implementation scheme, the computer-implemented method 60 is executed by the processing circuitry 16 of the electronic interactive device 10. For example, the computer-implemented method 60 is represented as a computer program element and stored in the non-volatile memory of the electronic interactive device 10.

[0249] In the implementation scheme, the method further includes:

[0250] - Use the positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device 50 to detect that at least one user-carrying device 50 has changed a portion of the interactive display layer 20B from a first visual state to a second visual state; and

[0251] - Generate screen representation data that indicates the positioning of the transformed portion of the interactive display layer 20B.

[0252] In the implementation, the method also includes outputting screen display data via a communication interface.

[0253] Figure 14 A system including an electronic interactive display is illustrated schematically.

[0254] According to a fourth aspect, a system is provided, comprising: an electronic interactive display 10 according to the first aspect or embodiments thereof; a user-portable device 50 including at least one magnet according to the second aspect and embodiments thereof; a host 74; and a communication network 72 configured to communicatively connect a communication interface of the electronic interactive display 10 to the host. The electronic interactive display 10 is configured to transmit screen display data to the host.

[0255] For example, the interactive electronic display 10 may use multiple magnetometers M to receive screen display data. The screen display data can be transmitted to a host 74 via a communication network 72. In this example, the host 74 is a web server or cloud hosting service. Users of the interactive electronic display 10 may have accounts on the web server or cloud hosting service. Sending the screen display data received by the interactive electronic display 10 facilitates the backup of documents already written on the interactive electronic display 10 for future display on the interactive electronic display 10. Furthermore, the screen display data stored on the host 74 can be shared with, for example, other project collaborators.

[0256] According to a fifth aspect, a computer program element is provided, the computer program element including machine-readable instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit 16, are configured to perform the method according to a third aspect.

[0257] According to a sixth aspect, a component kit is provided, comprising an electronic interactive display 10 according to a first aspect and a user-carrying device including at least one magnet according to a second aspect.

[0258] Numerous specific details have been set forth in the foregoing description to provide a thorough understanding. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice this disclosure. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring this disclosure.

[0259] Throughout the foregoing description, references to “an embodiment,” “an implementation,” “an example,” or “an example,” “an aspect,” or “an aspect” mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, the appearance of the phrases “in an embodiment,” “in an implementation,” “an example,” or “an aspect” throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0260] Furthermore, specific features, structures, or properties may be combined in any suitable combination and / or sub-combination in one or more embodiments or examples. Where applicable, unless otherwise stated, dimensions in millimeters herein are referenced with an accuracy of ±0.01 mm.

[0261] statement

[0262] This disclosure also extends to the following statements:

[0263] A1. An electronic interactive display (10), the electronic interactive display comprising:

[0264] -Substrate(12);

[0265] -Power source (14);

[0266] - An interactive display layer (20B) is included on the substrate (12);

[0267] - A plurality of magnetometers (M), the plurality of magnetometers defining a reference coordinate system of the electronic interactive display (10), wherein each of the plurality of magnetometers (M) (M1...) has a rigid spatial relationship with the other magnetometers (M); and

[0268] - Processing circuit (16), which is communicatively connected to at least the interactive display layer (20B) and the plurality of magnetometers (M).

[0269] The interactive display layer (20B) contains magnetostrictive materials (19A, 19B).

[0270] The interactive display layer (20B) is oriented towards the user (U) of the electronic interactive display (10) during use, and a portion of the interactive display layer (20B) can be configured from at least a first visual state to a second visual state based on magnetic stimulation;

[0271] The plurality of magnetometers (M) are configured to: perform magnetic field measurements on a user-carrying device (50) comprising at least one magnet within a sensing volume (S) adjacent to the interactive display layer (20B); and provide magnetic field measurement data to the processing circuitry (16) based on the magnetic field measurements; and

[0272] The processing circuit (16) is configured to: receive the magnetic field measurement data; and when the at least one user-carrying device (50) is present in the sensing volume (S), determine the positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device (50) relative to the interactive display layer (20B).

[0273] A2. The electronic interactive display (10) according to A1, wherein the processing circuit (16) is configured as follows:

[0274] - Using the determined positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device (50), detect that the at least one user-carrying device (50) has changed the portion of the interactive display layer (20B) from the first visual state to the second visual state, and use the processing circuit (16) to generate screen representation data including the positioning of the changed portion of the interactive display layer (20B).

[0275] A3. The electronic interactive display according to A1 or A2, the electronic interactive display further includes a communication interface (18) communicatively connected to the processing circuit (16).

[0276] A4. The electronic interactive display according to any one of the foregoing statements.

[0277] The electronic interactive display (10) further includes an electrode driving circuit (22), which is capable of energizing at least a portion of the first electrode array (20A) and / or the second electrode array (20C).

[0278] A5. The electronic interactive display as described in A4

[0279] The interactive display layer (20B) can be configured into a third visual state and a fourth visual state based on the polarity of the electric field applied by the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C).

[0280] A6. The electronic interactive display as described in A4 or A5

[0281] The processing circuitry is configured to drive and / or update the first pixel electrode array and the second pixel electrode array based on the screen representation data.

[0282] A7. The electronic interactive display according to A6

[0283] The processing circuit (16) drives and / or updates the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C) based on the screen display data, thereby changing the portion of the interactive display layer (20B) that has previously been changed from the first visual state to the second visual state by the magnetic actuation of the user-carried device (50) to the third visual state or the fourth visual state by driving the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C) based on the screen display data.

[0284] A8. The electronic interactive display according to A7

[0285] The third and fourth visual states have higher contrast than the first and second visual states.

[0286] A9. The electronic interactive display according to any one of the foregoing statements.

[0287] The magnetostrictive material mentioned above is an electrophoretic material.

[0288] A10. The electronic interactive display according to any one of the foregoing statements.

[0289] The interactive display layer (20B) further includes a capacitive touch sensing layer (20E) and / or a force sensing resistor layer (20F), and the processing circuit (16) is further configured to use the capacitive touch sensing layer (20E) and / or the force sensing resistor layer (20F) to locate the proximal end of the user-carrying device (50) or another object.

[0290] A11. The electronic interactive display as described in statement A10.

[0291] The processing circuit (16) is configured to detect spatial portions of the interactive display layer (20B) addressed via user interaction with the capacitive touch sensing layer (20E) and / or the force sensing resistor layer (20F), and to change the visual state of the interactive display layer (20B) at positions corresponding to the portions addressed using the capacitive touch sensing layer (20E) and / or the force sensing resistor layer (20F).

[0292] A12. The electronic interactive display according to any one of the foregoing statements, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

[0293] - Using the magnetic field measurement data to detect that the user-carried device (50) including the magnet has been redirected in the sensing volume (S) in the reference coordinate system, and

[0294] - When the processing circuit (16) has detected that the user-carried device (50) has been redirected in the sensing volume, it changes from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, or vice versa.

[0295] A13. The electronic interactive display as described in statement A12.

[0296] The first operating mode is the writing mode of the electronic interactive display (10), and the second operating mode is the erasing mode of the electronic interactive display (10).

[0297] A14. The electronic interactive display as described in statement A13.

[0298] The user of the electronic interactive display does not need to activate the buttons or menu functions of the electronic interactive display to change the electronic interactive display between the first operating mode and the second operating mode.

[0299] A15. The electronic interactive display as described in statements A7 to A14

[0300] The processing circuit (16) is configured to: obtain a trace change function from at least one electronic pen model stored on the electronic interactive display; and, based on the orientation of the user-carrying device relative to the interactive display layer determined from the magnetic field measurement data, perform a transformation from the second visual state to the third visual state or the fourth visual state by driving the first pixel electrode array and the second pixel electrode array based on the screen representation mask data, according to the orientation of the at least one electronic pen model and the user-carrying device (50) at the spatial position of the electronic interactive display.

[0301] A16. The electronic interactive display according to any one of statements A7 to A15

[0302] The processing circuit (16) is configured to: identify the type of user-carried device (50) based on the magnetic field measurement data; and select at least one electronic pen model stored on the electronic interactive display for use when performing a transition from the second visual state to the third visual state or the fourth visual state based on the selected pen model.

[0303] A17. The electronic interactive display according to any one of statements A3 to A16

[0304] The processing circuit (16) is configured as follows:

[0305] - Data for display on the interactive display layer (20B) is received via the communication interface, and the processing circuit (16) is configured to display the data on the interactive display layer (20B) using the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C);

[0306] - Use the magnetic field measurement data from the user-carried device (50) to detect annotations or erasures made to the data displayed on the interactive display; and

[0307] - The annotation on the data is stored by modifying the data or by appending metadata that defines the annotation to the data, or by both.

[0308] A18. The electronic interactive display according to any one of statements A1 to A17

[0309] At least one of the substrates is flexible.

[0310] A19. The electronic interactive display according to any one of statements A1 to A17

[0311] The substrate is rigid.

[0312] A20. The electronic interactive display according to any one of statements A1 to A19

[0313] The plurality of magnetometers (M) are configured to position the proximal or distal end of the user-carrying device within less than 1 mm perpendicular to the surface of the interactive display layer.

[0314] A21. The electronic interactive display according to any one of statements A1 to A20

[0315] The plurality of magnetometers are configured to position the proximal or distal end of the user-carried device within the sensing volume, perpendicular to the surface of the interactive display layer, within a range of no more than 150 mm.

[0316] A22. A computer-implemented method (60) for operating an electronic interactive display (10), the computer-implemented method comprising:

[0317] - Using a plurality of magnetometers (M) defining the reference coordinate system of the electronic interactive display (10), a user-carrying device (50) within a sensing volume (S) of the interactive display layer (20B) adjacent to the electronic interactive display (10) is used to perform (62) magnetic field measurements on the user-carrying device (50). Each of the plurality of magnetometers (M) has a rigid spatial relationship with the electronic interactive display.

[0318] - Based on the magnetic field measurement, the magnetic field measurement data is provided (64) to the processing circuit (16); and

[0319] - When the at least one user-carrying device (50) is present in the sensing volume (S), determine (64) the position and / or orientation of the user-carrying device (50), including at least one magnet, relative to the interactive display layer (20B).

[0320] A23. The computer-implemented method according to A22 further includes:

[0321] - Using the positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device (50) to detect that the at least one user-carrying device (50) has changed a portion of the interactive display layer (20B) from the first visual state to the second visual state; and

[0322] - Generate screen representation data representing the positioning of the transformed portion of the interactive display layer (20B).

[0323] A24. A system comprising:

[0324] - The electronic interactive display (10) as described in statements A1 to A21;

[0325] - User-carrying device (50), the user-carrying device including at least one magnet.

[0326] - A host (74) and a communication network (72), the communication network being configured to communicatively connect the communication interface of the electronic interactive display (10) to the host; and

[0327] The electronic interactive display (10) is configured to transmit screen display data to the host.

[0328] A25. A computer program element comprising machine-readable instructions configured, when executed by a processing circuit (16), to perform a computer-implemented method according to A22 and A23.

[0329] A26. A component kit comprising: an electronic interactive display (10) as described in statements A1 to A21, and a user-carrying device (50) including at least one magnet.

[0330] B1. A user-portable device (50) for use with an interactive display layer (20B) comprising magnetostrictive materials (19A, 19B) in conjunction with an electronic interactive display (10), the user-portable device comprising an elongated body (51) defining a longitudinal axis (L) of the user-portable device (50);

[0331] The elongated body 51 includes a proximal end P and a distal end D;

[0332] A first magnet (54) and a second magnet (52), the first magnet being disposed at or near the proximal end of the elongated body (51), and the second magnet being disposed along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device between the first magnet (54) and the distal end (D) of the elongated body (51).

[0333] The second magnet (52) has a magnetic moment that is at least twice the magnetic moment of the first magnet (54).

[0334] B2. User-carried device (50) as described in B1.

[0335] The centroid of the second magnet (52) is disposed along the longitudinal axis (L) at a portion of the elongated body (51) defined in the second magnet mounting range (L52), wherein the second magnet (52) mounting range (L52) is defined as being between 0.1 and 0.2, or between 0.2 and 0.3, or between 0.3 and 0.4, or between 0.4 and 0.5, or between 0.5 and 0.6, or between 0.6 and 0.7, or between 0.7 and 0.8, or between 0.8 and 0.9, or between 0.9 and 0.99, as measured from the proximal end (P).

[0336] B3. The user-carrying device (50) according to B1 or B2, wherein the first magnet and / or the second magnet (52) has a total length within one of the following ranges: between 0.1 and 0.2, or between 0.2 and 0.3, or between 0.3 and 0.4, or between 0.4 and 0.5, or between 0.5 and 0.6, or between 0.6 and 0.7, or between 0.7 and 0.8, or between 0.8 and 0.9 of the total length of the elongated body (51).

[0337] B4. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B3.

[0338] The first magnet (54) and / or the second magnet (52) have a diameter or thickness perpendicular to the elongated body (51) within one of the following ranges: 0.5mm - 1.0mm, 1.0mm - 1.5mm, 1.5mm - 2.0mm, 2.0mm - 2.25mm, 2.25mm - 2.5mm, 2.5mm - 2.75mm, 2.75mm - 3.0mm, 3.0mm - 3.5mm, 3.5mm - 4.0mm, 3.5mm - 4.0mm, 4.0mm - 4.5mm, 4.5mm - 5.0mm, 5.0mm - 5.5mm, 5.5mm - 6.0mm, 6.0mm - 6.5mm, 6.5mm - 7.0mm, 7.0mm - 7.5mm, 7.5mm - 8.0mm, 8.0mm -8.5mm, 8.5mm - 9.0mm, 9.0mm - 9.5mm, 9.5mm - 10.0mm, 10mm.

[0339] B5. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B4.

[0340] The total distance between the elongated body (51) at the proximal end and the distal end is greater than 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, 95 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm, 110 mm, 115 mm, 120 mm, 125 mm, 130 mm, 135 mm, 140 mm, 145 mm, 150 mm, 155 mm, 160 mm, 165 mm, 170 mm, 175 mm, 180 mm, 185 mm, 190 mm, 195 mm, or 200 mm.

[0341] B6. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B5.

[0342] The first magnet (54) is connected to the proximal end via a temporary fastener.

[0343] B7. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B6.

[0344] The field (F54) emitted by the first magnet (54) changes the appearance of a magnetostrictive material, such as an electrophoretic material, from a first visual state to a second visual state during use.

[0345] B8. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B7.

[0346] The first magnet (54) has a magnetic moment within one of the following ranges: 0.001Am2 – 0.002Am2, 0.002Am2 – 0.003Am2, 0.003Am2 – 0.004Am2, 0.0035Am2 – 0.0045Am2, 0.003Am2 – 0.005Am2, 0.005Am2 – 0.006Am2, 0.006Am2 – 0.007Am2, 0.007Am2 – 0.008Am2, 0.008Am2 – 0.009Am2, or 0.009Am2 – 0.01Am2, 0.01Am2 – 0.02Am2, 0.02Am2 – 0.03Am2, 0.03Am2 – 0.04Am2, 0.04Am2 – 0.05Am2, 0.05Am2 - 0.06Am2, 0.06Am2 - 0.07Am2, 0.07Am2 - 0.08Am2, 0.08Am2 - 0.09Am2, or 0.1Am2.

[0347] B9. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B8.

[0348] The second magnet (52) is adjustable between a first position and a second position along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body (51).

[0349] B10. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B9.

[0350] The second magnet (52) is configured to be detectable by a plurality of magnetometers (M), which together generate a sensing volume (S) adjacent to the electronic interactive display (10) during use.

[0351] B11. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B10.

[0352] The magnetic axis of the second magnet (52) is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis (L) of the second magnet (54).

[0353] B12. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B11.

[0354] The second magnet (52) is used to change the appearance of a magnetostrictive material, such as an electrophoretic material, from a first visual state to a second visual state without relying on magnetic stimulation.

[0355] B13. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B12.

[0356] The second magnet (52) has a magnetic moment within one of the following ranges: less than 0.1 Am², or between: 0.1 Am² - 0.3 Am², 0.3 Am² - 0.6 Am², 0.6 Am² - 0.9 Am², 0.9 Am² - 1.2 Am², 1.2 Am² - 1.5 Am², 1.5 Am² - 1.8 Am², 1.8 Am² - 2.1 Am², 2.1 Am² - 2.4 Am², 2.4 Am² - 2.7 Am², 2.7 Am² - 3.0 Am², 3.0 Am² - 3.3 Am², 3.3 Am² - 3.6 Am², 3.6 Am² - 3.9 Am², 3.9 Am² - 4.2 Am², 4.2 Am² - 4.5 Am², 4.5 Am² - 4.8 Am², 4.8 Am² - 5.1Am2, 5.1Am2 - 5.4Am2, 5.4Am2 - 5.7Am2, 5.7Am2 - 6.0Am2, 6.0Am2 - 6.3Am2, 6.3Am2 - 6.6Am2, 6.6Am2 -6.9Am2, 6.9Am2 - 7.2Am2, 7.2Am2 - 7.5Am2, 7.5Am2 - 7.8Am2, 7.8Am2 - 8.1Am2, 8.1Am2 - 8.4Am2, 8.4Am2 - 8.7Am2, 8.7Am2 - 9.0Am2, 9.0Am2 - 9.3Am2, 9.3Am2 - 9.6Am2, 9.6Am2 - 9.9Am2.

[0357] B14. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B13.

[0358] The magnetic axis of the first magnet (54) is substantially aligned with the magnetic axis of the second magnet (52).

[0359] B15. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B13.

[0360] The polarity orientation of the first magnet (54) along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device is substantially opposite to that of the second magnet (52) along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device.

[0361] B16. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B15.

[0362] The polar orientation of the first magnet (54) along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device is substantially aligned with, or substantially parallel to, the polar orientation of the second magnet (52) along the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device.

[0363] B17. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B16.

[0364] The user-carrying device further includes a third magnet (56) disposed at the distal end of the elongated body (51).

[0365] B18. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B17.

[0366] The third magnet (56) has the opposite polarity to the first magnet (54).

[0367] B19. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B18.

[0368] The third magnet (56) is a strip-shaped pole magnet having a polar orientation aligned along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0369] B20. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B19.

[0370] One or more of the first magnet (54), the second magnet (52) and / or the third magnet (56) are permanent magnets, including, for example, neodymium or ferrite.

[0371] B21. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B20.

[0372] The third magnet (56) has a smaller magnetic moment than the first magnet (54) and the second magnet (52).

[0373] B22. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B21.

[0374] The second magnet (52) is a cylindrical magnet or a ring magnet.

[0375] B23. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B22.

[0376] One or more of the first magnet (54), the second magnet (52) and / or the third magnet (56) are electromagnets.

[0377] B24. User-carried equipment (50) as described in B1 to B23.

[0378] The user-carrying device further includes a power supply and a drive circuit configured to drive at least one of the electromagnets.

Claims

1. An electronic interactive display (10), the electronic interactive display comprising: -Substrate(12); -Power source (14); - An interactive display layer (20B) is included on the substrate (12); - A plurality of magnetometers (M), the plurality of magnetometers defining a reference coordinate system of the electronic interactive display (10), wherein each of the plurality of magnetometers (M) (M1...) has a rigid spatial relationship with the other magnetometers (M); and - Processing circuit (16), which is communicatively connected to at least the interactive display layer (20B) and the plurality of magnetometers (M). The interactive display layer (20B) contains magnetostrictive materials (19A, 19B). The interactive display layer (20B) is oriented towards the user (U) of the electronic interactive display (10) during use, and a portion of the interactive display layer (20B) can be configured from at least a first visual state to a second visual state based on magnetic stimulation; The plurality of magnetometers (M) are configured to: perform magnetic field measurements on a user-carrying device (50) comprising at least one magnet within a sensing volume (S) adjacent to the interactive display layer (20B); and provide magnetic field measurement data to the processing circuitry (16) based on the magnetic field measurements; and The processing circuit (16) is configured to: receive the magnetic field measurement data; and when the at least one user-carrying device (50) is present in the sensing volume (S), determine the positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device (50) relative to the interactive display layer (20B).

2. The electronic interactive display (10) according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuit (16) is further configured to: The positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device (50) is used to detect that the at least one user-carrying device (50) has changed the portion of the interactive display layer (20B) from the first visual state to the second visual state; and The processing circuit (16) is used to generate screen representation data that includes the positioning of the transformed portion of the interactive display layer (20B).

3. The electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. The interactive display layer (20B) further includes one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C), and the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C) are configured to apply an electric field to one or more spatial portions of the interactive display layer (20B).

4. The electronic interactive display (10) according to claim 3. The interactive display layer (20B) can be configured into a third visual state and a fourth visual state based on the polarity of the electric field applied by the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C).

5. The electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of claims 3 or 4. The processing circuit (16) is configured to drive the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C) to apply a pre-start electric field to at least one subset of the interactive display layer (20B), the at least one subset corresponding to a determined position of the user-carried device (50) obtained using the plurality of magnetometers (M).

6. The electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The processing circuit (16) drives and / or updates the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C) based on the screen display data to change the portion of the interactive display layer (20B) that has previously been changed from the first visual state to the second visual state by the magnetic actuation of the user-carried device (50) to the third visual state or the fourth visual state by driving the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C) based on the screen display data, and / or The third and fourth visual states have higher contrast than the first and second visual states.

7. The electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. The magnetostrictive material mentioned above is an electrophoretic material.

8. The electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. The interactive display layer (20B) further includes a capacitive touch sensing layer (20E) and / or a force sensing resistor layer (20F), and the processing circuit (16) is further configured to use the capacitive touch sensing layer (20E) and / or the force sensing resistor layer (20F) to locate the proximal end of the user-carrying device (50) or another object.

9. The electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. The processing circuit (16) is configured to use the magnetic field measurement data to detect that a user-carried device (50) including a magnet has been redirected in the sensing volume (S) in the reference coordinate system, and The processing circuit (16) is configured to change from a first operating mode to a second operating mode when the processing circuit (16) has detected that the user-carried device (50) has been redirected in the sensing volume, or vice versa.

10. The electronic interactive display (10) according to claim 9. The first operating mode is the writing mode of the electronic interactive display (10), and the second operating mode is the erasing mode of the electronic interactive display (10), and / or The electronic interactive display (10) does not receive user commands from the button or menu functions of the electronic interactive display (10) to change the electronic interactive display between the first operating mode and the second operating mode.

11. The electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 10. The processing circuit (16) is configured to receive data for display on the interactive display layer (20B) via the communication interface; The processing circuit (16) is configured to use the one or more electrode arrays (20A, 20C) to display the data on the interactive display layer (20B); The processing circuit (16) is configured to use the magnetic field measurement data from the user-carried device (50) to detect annotations or erasures made to the data displayed on the interactive display; and The processing circuit (16) is configured to store the annotation on the data by modifying the data or by appending metadata defining the annotation to the data.

12. A computer-implemented method (60) for operating an electronic interactive display (10), the computer-implemented method comprising: - Using a plurality of magnetometers (M) defining the reference coordinate system of the electronic interactive display (10), a user-carrying device (50) within a sensing volume (S) of the interactive display layer (20B) adjacent to the electronic interactive display (10) is used to perform (62) magnetic field measurements on the user-carrying device (50). Each of the plurality of magnetometers (M) has a rigid spatial relationship with the electronic interactive display. - Based on the magnetic field measurement, the magnetic field measurement data is provided (64) to the processing circuit (16). as well as - When the at least one user-carrying device (50) is present in the sensing volume (S), determine (64) the positioning and / or orientation of the user-carrying device (50), which includes at least one magnet, relative to the interactive display layer (20B).

13. A system (70) comprising: - An electronic interactive display (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11; - Host (74); - A communication network (72), configured to communicatively connect the communication interface of the electronic interactive display (10) to the host (74); and - A user-portable device (50) for use with the electronic interactive display (10) comprising magnetostrictive materials (19A, 19B), wherein the user-portable device includes: - An elongated body (51) defining the longitudinal axis (L) of the user-carrying device (50), wherein the elongated body (51) includes a proximal end (P) and a distal end (D). - A first magnet (54) is disposed at or near the proximal end of the elongated body (51); and - A second magnet (52) is disposed along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the user-carrying device between the first magnet (54) and the distal end (D) of the elongated body (51); The electronic interactive display (10) is configured to transmit screen representation data written to the electronic interactive display (10) via the user-carried device (50) to the host (74).

14. The system (70) according to claim 13. The user-carrying device (50) further includes a third magnet (56) disposed at the distal end of the elongated body (51).

15. A computer program element comprising machine-readable instructions configured, when executed by a processing circuit (16), to perform the computer-implemented method according to claim 12.

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