Active Stylus Slot Allocation for Multi-Stylus Signal Timing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently managing simultaneous use of multiple styluses due to fixed frame rates, large uplink signal sizes, and power consumption issues, particularly when using electronic rulers, leading to communication inefficiencies and delays.
Innovation Solution
A stylus and sensor controller system that dynamically allocates transmission time and reduces uplink signal size by using local identifiers, allowing flexible scan rates and reducing power consumption through a switchable state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If frame communication is used with fixed frame rates to manage multiple styluses, then communication structure is simplified, but transmission time allocation becomes inflexible and communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slot allocation within the frame structure, where transmission slots are not fixed but can be flexibly assigned to different styluses based on current needs. The sensor controller dynamically determines which stylus receives transmission time in each slot, allowing the system to adapt to changing communication requirements while maintaining the overall frame-based structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of transmission time allocation from fixed (frame-based) to variable (slot-based). By introducing slots as sub-units within frames and allowing dynamic assignment of these slots to different styluses, the system can adjust transmission parameters in real-time, improving communication efficiency without completely abandoning the frame structure.
2Measurement precision
If uplink signals contain full identifier information for each stylus, then stylus identification is accurate, but uplink signal size increases and communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into two parts: downlink signals carry full identifier information for accurate stylus identification, while uplink signals use shorter acknowledgment signals. This segmentation allows the system to maintain identification accuracy where needed (downlink) while reducing overhead in the opposite direction (uplink).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential identification function from the uplink signal by using selective acknowledgment. Instead of including full identifier information in uplink signals, the system extracts only the necessary confirmation element (acknowledgment signal) that references the already-identified stylus, thereby reducing uplink signal size while maintaining identification accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If electronic rulers continuously transmit downlink signals to maintain position detection, then position detection accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic transmission of downlink signals by electronic rulers at controlled intervals rather than continuous transmission. The sensor controller manages the timing of these periodic transmissions, allowing position detection to function at sufficient intervals while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Electronic rulers are designed to autonomously manage their transmission cycles based on received commands from the sensor controller. Each electronic ruler can independently control its downlink signal transmission timing, enabling self-service power management where the device adjusts its own power consumption based on operational requirements without requiring external power control circuitry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables flexible allocation of transmission times, reduces uplink signal size, and optimizes power usage, improving communication efficiency and responsiveness for multiple styluses, including electronic rulers.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission of the downlink signal is carried out by supplying a transmission signal to an electrode provided at the tip of the active stylus to thereby generate an electric field based on the signal in a space near the electrode
Implementation Method 2
The electronic apparatus is configured to receive the downlink signal through detection, by the sensor controller, of change in the amount of charge generated in the group of electrodes in the sensor board due to the above-described (alternating) electric field
Implementation Method 3
The sensor controller transmits the uplink signal toward the stylus by supplying a transmission signal to the group of electrodes that forms the sensor board, to thereby generate an electric field on a panel
Implementation Method 4
The active stylus is configured to detect the uplink signal by detecting the amount of charge induced in the above-described electrode by this electric field
Data Source
AI summary
Allocation of slots to different styluses is flexibly changed in units of the slot that is shorter than a frame. A stylus bi-directionally transmits and receives signals to and from a sensor controller connected to a sensor via capacitive coupling. The stylus includes a memory that temporarily stores a value of a local ID. The stylus includes a controller that determines whether or not a detected uplink signal includes the value of the local ID stored in the memory every time the uplink signal transmitted by the sensor controller is detected. The controller, in response to determining the detected uplink signal includes the value of the local ID stored in the memory, generates a downlink signal that is based on an operation state and transmits the downlink signal to the sensor controller.