Camera-Equipped Stylus Pen Cap for Surface-Independent Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stylus solutions are limited in their application settings and often require complex and expensive circuitry, restricting user flexibility in using the stylus on various surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A stylus pen cap equipped with cameras and a light source, which captures images of the stylus tip to facilitate tracking, allowing for use on any surface and integrating with external devices via an electrical connector, enabling flexible and scalable stylus tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stylus includes considerable circuitry and programming to be self-monitoring, then the stylus can operate independently on specialized surfaces, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device positioned in the pen cap to capture images of the stylus tip. This camera acts as a mediator between the stylus and the electronic device, transferring positional information without requiring complex circuitry within the stylus itself. The camera system enables tracking functionality while keeping the stylus structurally simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying by capturing images of the stylus tip with a camera. Instead of having the stylus directly communicate its position through complex electronics, the system creates visual copies (images) of the stylus tip position, which are then processed to determine stylus location and orientation. This approach simplifies the stylus design while maintaining tracking capability.
2Device complexity
If a stylus is designed for use on specialized scribing surfaces only, then the stylus structure can be simplified, but the adaptability and versatility of the stylus are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pen cap universal by equipping it with a camera that can track the stylus tip on any surface type. The camera system in the pen cap enables the stylus to function on diverse surfaces including paper, glass, and other non-specialized surfaces, removing the limitation of specialized scribing surfaces while keeping the stylus structure simple.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used in the pen cap to better facilitate stylus tracking, then the measurement precision and tracking accuracy improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning multiple cameras at specific locations within the pen cap structure. Each camera is strategically placed to capture specific views of the stylus tip from different angles. This localized arrangement optimizes tracking precision for specific measurement needs while managing overall system complexity through targeted placement rather than uniform distribution.
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
The solution provides increased user flexibility and precision, allowing the stylus to be used on any surface, including paper, with reduced complexity and cost, and requires minimal user training for successful installation and use.
Implementation Method 1
Captured images of the stylus, in turn, can be utilized to facilitate tracking at least a portion of the stylus (such as the writing tip)
Implementation Method 2
The pen cap can further include a light source (such as an infrared light source) that directs light outwardly of the pen cap and into the aforementioned field of view to thereby illuminate the stylus
Data Source
AI summary
A stylus pen cap has at least one camera disposed at least partially therein. The pen cap can further include a light source (such as an infrared light source) that directs light outwardly of the pen cap to the stylus. The pen cap can further include an electrical connector that operably couples to the camera(s) and conveys captured-image data to an outboard device of choice. The pen cap can include a pocket clip that comprises the electronic connector. The pocket clip can include a flexible joint (such as but not limited to a universal joint) to thereby permit the camera(s) to be oriented and aimed as desired even while electrically connected to an outboard device.