Active Pen Contact-Based Power Management and Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active pens with signal transmission capabilities for touch screens often require continuous power, leading to unnecessary battery drainage, and users face ergonomic issues with tethered cables or the need to replace/recharge batteries frequently.
Innovation Solution
An active pen with a signal transmission module and battery module, featuring a clip member with ground, control, and charging contacts that automatically manage power delivery based on contact status, allowing for selective activation/deactivation and recharge via an electronic device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an active pen uses continuous power supply for signal transmission, then the signal transmission capability is maintained, but battery drainage increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The active pen implements periodic signal transmission rather than continuous transmission. The controller activates the signal transmission module at predetermined intervals based on inactivity detection, allowing the pen to maintain signal transmission capability while significantly reducing power consumption during periods of non-use.
2Power
If an active pen uses tethered cable for power supply, then continuous power is available, but ergonomic usability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from a tethered cable connection and implements it through wireless communication. The active pen receives power wirelessly from the electronic device via electromagnetic induction, eliminating the physical cable constraint while maintaining continuous power availability.
3Ease of operation
If an active pen uses internal battery for power, then tetherless operation is achieved, but battery replacement frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply system of the active pen with the electronic device's power system. The pen's battery can be recharged wirelessly from the electronic device's power source, combining the portability benefits of an internal battery with the convenience of reusable charging, thereby reducing battery replacement frequency.
4Loss of energy
If an active pen implements automatic power management, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active pen implements self-service power management through an inactivity detection mechanism. The controller automatically monitors usage patterns and adjusts signal transmission activation accordingly, enabling the pen to manage its own power consumption without requiring complex external power management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Powered by a battery module, an active pen may transmit a signal that is intended for detection by a touch screen. The active pen may comprise an elongated clip member connected to an elongated body member, the free end of the clip member having a ground contact, and the body member having control and charging contacts opposite the ground contact. The free end may be biased such that the ground contact is normally in contact with the control and charging contacts, thereby maintaining the active pen in a signal-transmitting state until separation of the contacts. An electronic device may charge the battery module, optionally responsive to authorization thereof. The electronic device may comprise a partition member to separate the free end of the clip member from the body member, the partition member having contacts corresponding to those of the active pen for enabling charging of the battery module.