Electronic Pen Energy Management for Extended Operating Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic pens for handwriting recognition face challenges in energy efficiency, particularly when transmitting data, which significantly affects their operating time.

Innovation Solution

An electronic pen equipped with position determination sensors, an energy management unit, and means for self-energy generation, allowing for different operating modes to optimize energy consumption, such as active, standby, and off modes, with controlled sampling rates and data transfer rates to extend operational life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic pen transmits data wirelessly to the system, then handwriting recognition functionality is enabled, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandwriting recognition functionalityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation modes that adjust the operational state of sensors and data transmission based on usage patterns. The system transitions between active, standby, and off modes, dynamically controlling when position determination sensors are active and when wireless data transmission occurs, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining handwriting recognition capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous monitoring. Position determination sensors take measurements at defined intervals, and data transmission occurs periodically rather than continuously. This periodic action significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while still providing sufficient data for handwriting recognition functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If the sampling rate of position determination sensors is increased, then position and motion detection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection precisionVSAvoidsensor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling rate of position determination sensors is dynamically adjusted based on the operational mode. In active mode, higher sampling rates provide precise position and motion detection. In standby and off modes, sampling rates are reduced or suspended entirely, significantly reducing sensor energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when the pen is actively being used for handwriting recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sampling rate parameter according to operational needs. By adjusting this key parameter between different operation modes, the system optimizes the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption. The sampling rate is set to provide sufficient precision for handwriting recognition during active use, while being reduced to minimal levels during standby or off periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the data transfer rate is increased, then real-time handwriting recognition is enabled, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoiddata transfer energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless data transmission occurs periodically rather than continuously. The system transfers batches of sensor data at defined intervals rather than maintaining a constant real-time data stream. This periodic transmission approach reduces the total energy consumption associated with wireless communication while still providing sufficient data flow for handwriting recognition functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The data transfer rate is dynamically adjusted based on the operational mode and usage patterns. During active handwriting recognition, higher data transfer rates enable real-time processing. During standby or off modes, data transfer rates are reduced or suspended, significantly reducing energy consumption from wireless communication while maintaining functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the electronic pen operates continuously without mode changes, then user convenience is maintained, but operating time is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidoperating time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between active, standby, and off modes based on detected usage patterns and user behavior. These automatic mode changes extend operating time by reducing energy consumption during periods of low or no activity, while maintaining user convenience through quick transitions back to active mode when usage is detected. The system adapts its operational state to balance convenience and battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3022626B1Energy savings
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 STABILO INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP3022626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3022626B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3022626B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention related to an electronic pen (200) with pen position detection comprising at least one electric voltage source (206), at least a digital control unit (217, 106), a writing lead (209), at least one data transfer module (219, 109) and at least two position determination sensors (201, 202, 101, 102) for determination of the position and / or motion of the electronic pen (200), characterized in that the electronic pen (200) comprises an energy management unit (218, 110) in communication with the digital control unit (217, 106) for managing the electrical energy consumption, in particular to minimize the electric energy consumption, and / or comprises means (103, 104, 105, 204, 205, 212, 213, 214, 215) to be able to generate electrical energy itself.