Optical Touch System Pen Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical touch systems can only determine a single touch position and require separate methods for inputting rotation angles, making it inconvenient for users to input data simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An optical touch system with a touch locating method that uses two optical sensors and a light emitter to determine both the touch position and direction by calculating a vector from the center position to the light-emitting position, allowing for simultaneous input of touch position and direction with a single touch operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional optical touch system determines only a single touch position, then the system structure remains simple, but the input function is limited and requires separate methods for rotation angle input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from detecting only position (2D coordinates) to detecting both position and direction (adding angular dimension). By detecting the light-emitting position of the pen tip and the center position of the pen body, the system calculates a direction vector, thereby adding directional information without requiring additional separate input devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing optical sensors are made multi-functional: they not only detect the touch position but also detect the light-emitting position of the pen tip. This allows the same hardware to provide both position and direction information, enhancing the input function without adding separate dedicated devices for each function.
2Ease of operation
If separate methods like keyboard or trackball are used for rotation angle input, then the touch position can be determined accurately, but the operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the position input and direction/angle input functions into a single touch operation. By detecting both the center position and light-emitting position of the pen simultaneously, the system obtains both position and direction information in one action, eliminating the need for separate keyboard or trackball operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch pen itself provides all necessary information (both position and direction) through its own light-emitting component. The pen's light emitter serves dual purposes: indicating position and enabling direction calculation, making the input device self-sufficient without requiring auxiliary input methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensors or components are added to detect touch direction, then the input function is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing optical sensors perform multiple functions: detecting both the touch position and the light-emitting position of the pen tip. This multi-functionality allows the system to derive direction information without adding dedicated direction-detection sensors, maintaining hardware simplicity while enhancing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emitter on the pen tip acts as an intermediary that provides additional information (light-emitting position) which the existing sensors can detect. This intermediary element enables direction calculation without requiring complex additional sensing hardware.
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
Enhances the input function of touch pens by enabling the efficient input of both touch position and direction with a single touch, improving the flexibility and variety of touch operations.
Implementation Method 1
making the light emitter emit an indication light out of the outer surface and using the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor to receive the indication light
Data Source
AI summary
A locating method for an optical touch system determines a center position of an indication object on a touch area of the optical touch system by an optical location means. The locating method determines a light-emitting position of a light emitter of the indication object on the touch area by receiving indication light emitted from the light emitter by two optical sensors. The locating method determines a touch position and a touch direction according to a relative relationship between the center position and the light-emitting position; therein, the touch position can be regarded as a touch point on the touch area by the indication object, and the touch direction can be regarded as a rotation angle of the indication object relative to the touch area.