Microphone-Based Digital Pen Mount Detection in Electronic Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in determining whether a digital pen is mounted, which can lead to reduced mounting space or increased manufacturing costs due to the use of physical switches, magnets, or Hall sensors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device incorporates a microphone module and a protection cover with an accommodation groove and protrusion to determine the mounting state of a digital pen based on sound generated by contact between the protrusion and the pen's groove, eliminating the need for physical switches, magnets, or Hall sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical switches, magnets, or Hall sensors are used to determine digital pen mounting state, then detection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and mounting space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection systems (physical switches, magnets, Hall sensors) with an acoustic detection system using a microphone module. The microphone detects sound waves generated when the digital pen is inserted into or removed from the protection cover, thereby substituting a mechanical/electromagnetic detection mechanism with an acoustic one. This reduces manufacturing cost and mounting space while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium to detect the mounting state of the digital pen. When the pen is inserted or removed, it generates acoustic signals that the microphone module detects. This intermediary approach allows indirect detection of the mounting state without requiring direct contact between detection components and the pen, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If physical switches, magnets, or Hall sensors are used to determine digital pen mounting state, then detection reliability is improved, but mounting space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces space-consuming mechanical detection components (physical switches, magnets, Hall sensors) with a compact acoustic detection system. The microphone module requires significantly less mounting space compared to traditional mechanical or electromagnetic sensors, thereby increasing the available internal mounting space within the electronic device while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone module serves multiple functions: it detects the digital pen mounting state, and can potentially detect other acoustic events within the device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated detection components, thereby saving mounting space. The same acoustic sensor used for pen detection can also monitor other operational sounds, maximizing the utility of the limited space allocated for sensing components.
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
This approach reduces manufacturing costs and increases internal mounting space by using sound-based detection, allowing for more efficient use of device components.
Implementation Method 1
determine a mounting state of the digital pen with respect to the protection cover based on sound generated by contact between a protrusion structure of the protection cover and a groove of the digital pen
Data Source
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AI summary
According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device comprises: a microphone module; a housing accommodating the microphone module and having at least one part surrounded by a protective cover for accommodating a digital pen, the housing comprising a microphone hole facing the protective cover; and a processor disposed inside the housing, wherein the processor may be configured to determine the state of the digital pen being mounted on the protective cover on the basis of a sound generated by a protruding structure of the protective cover coming into contact with a groove structure of the digital pen, by means of the microphone module.