Optical System with Non-Coinciding Axes for Electronic Pen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems in handheld devices, such as electronic pens, face challenges in maintaining image quality and irradiation efficiency due to varying orientations and distances between the device and the object, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with non-coinciding optical axes for the irradiating and imaging systems, mounted on a common substrate, which reduces tolerance chains and allows for a compact design, optimizing irradiation and imaging optics while minimizing stray radiation and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation source and radiation sensor are mounted on a common substrate with non-coinciding optical axes, then the device can handle varying orientations and distances more effectively, but the alignment precision between irradiation and imaging areas becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate irradiating system and imaging system with distinct optical axes, each optimized for its specific function. The radiation source and radiation sensor are mounted on a common substrate but with non-coinciding optical axes, allowing independent optimization of each subsystem while maintaining overall system functionality under varying orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single optical axis design to a multi-dimensional optical configuration where the irradiating and imaging optical axes are separated in space. This dimensional separation allows the system to maintain effective irradiation and imaging across a range of orientations and distances by exploiting the additional spatial degrees of freedom.
2Volume of moving object
If the optical system is designed for compact form factor, then the device size is reduced, but the tolerance chains between components become longer and more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source and radiation sensor are merged onto a common substrate, creating a compact optical system. This integration reduces the overall device volume while the non-coinciding optical axes design allows each component to be positioned optimally on the substrate, effectively managing tolerance chains through strategic component placement rather than requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation source emits radiation in a sufficiently large solid angle to ensure proper irradiation during orientation changes, then irradiation coverage is improved, but stray radiation increases and reduces imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiating and imaging systems are configured with asymmetric, non-coinciding optical axes. The radiation source is positioned and oriented to emit radiation in a specific angular distribution that covers the required area during orientation changes, while the radiation sensor is positioned at a different angular location to detect reflected radiation from the object. This asymmetric configuration allows the system to achieve both wide irradiation coverage and effective stray radiation rejection by exploiting the angular separation between source and sensor.
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 solution enhances image quality and irradiation efficiency, reduces manufacturing costs, and increases battery lifetime by allowing for greater variation in device orientation and object distance, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiating system which has an optical axis within said irradiating system and includes a radiation source
Implementation Method 2
an imaging system which has an optical axis within said imaging system and includes a two-dimensional radiation sensor for recording an image of the object
Implementation Method 3
an optical component for transmitting radiation from an object to a radiation sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A modular unit is designed for an electronic pen. The modular unit comprises a carrier (70) with a receiver for a writing implement, a printed circuit board (72), a two-dimensional radiation sensor (78) mounted on the printed circuit board, and an imaging unit (82) which defines an image plane. The carrier (70), the printed circuit board (72), and the imaging unit (82) are joined together with the imaging unit (82) facing the radiation sensor (78) to locate the image plane at the radiation sensor (78). The modular unit may comprise an analysis system dedicated to a particular optical analysis application, such as position determination based on images of a position-coding pattern. A radiation source, such as an LED or a laser diode, may be arranged on the printed circuit board or mounted in a holder on the imaging unit. The imaging unit (82) may be implemented as a boresight unit for controlling the spatial origin of radiation transmitted towards the radiation sensor (78). The boresight unit may comprise a radiation-transmitting channel, an imaging lens, and a redirecting mirror in the channel.