Electronic Pen Position Detection for Seamless Contact-Hover Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for switching between touch sensor and non-contact detection in drawing systems require device inclination changes or suffer from decreased temporal resolution.
Innovation Solution
A spatial position indication system that includes an indicated position detecting circuit for contact input and a spatial position detecting circuit for hover input, with a selecting circuit that switches between them based on the electronic pen's separation distance from the input surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If switching between touch sensor and non-contact detection is performed using motion sensor signals, then mode switching is enabled, but device inclination changes are required which complicates operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the switching parameter from motion sensor detection (requiring device inclination changes) to separation distance detection (requiring only pen position changes). The selecting circuit determines which detection circuit to use based on the separation distance between the electronic pen and input surface, eliminating the need for device inclination changes while maintaining mode switching capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If switching between touch sensor and non-contact detecting means is performed on a time-division basis, then both detection methods can be used, but temporal resolution of each detection method is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between detection circuits based on real-time separation distance conditions rather than using time-division multiplexing. The selecting circuit continuously monitors separation distance and switches between the indicated position detecting circuit and spatial position detecting circuit accordingly, allowing both detection methods to operate simultaneously without temporal resolution degradation
3Ease of manufacture
If separate processes are used for generating two-dimensional drawing images and for three-dimensional image representation, then processing is simplified, but coordination between processes becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the selection logic into a unified process that coordinates both detection circuits through a single selecting circuit. This selecting circuit determines which detection circuit to use based on separation distance, seamlessly integrating the two separate detection processes into one coordinated system that maintains processing simplicity while reducing coordination complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A spatial position indication system includes an electronic pen, an indicated position detecting circuit, a spatial position detecting circuit, and a selecting circuit. The indicated position detecting circuit detects a position of the electronic pen at an input surface or a hover region over the input surface. The spatial position detecting circuit detects the position of the electronic pen in a spatial region including at least a part of the hover region separately from and independently of the indicated position detecting device circuit. Based on output from the indicated position detecting circuit and the spatial position detecting circuit, the selecting circuit performs selection control so as to use output from the indicated position detecting circuit or the spatial position detecting circuit according to a separation distance of the electronic pen from the input surface when a drawing image to be displayed on a display device is generated.