Passive LCD Resistive Touch Annotation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current input devices for personal computers, such as mice and keyboards, do not support intuitive capture of hand drawings and handwritten notes at a low cost, and lack the ability to allow real paper to be used on top of a display for a natural pen-on-paper experience, while also not enabling remote touch input without physically touching the screen.
Innovation Solution
A multitouch annotation control device (MTAC) using a passive stylus and a transmitter to connect with a PC or multimedia system, allowing virtual representation of the user's fingers on the screen, enabling inking capture and finger capture modes, and utilizing a passive LCD display with a resistive touch sensor for low-cost, intuitive hand annotation and multi-touch control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-end graphics tablets with embedded active displays are used to capture hand drawings, then the quality of hand annotation capture is improved, but the cost increases significantly due to dedicated processors required for display management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a passive LCD display that copies the visual output of the computer system rather than requiring an active display with dedicated processing. The passive display reflects or transmits light to show annotations without needing its own processor, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining annotation capture quality through the resistive touch sensor interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive active display components with cheaper passive display technology. The passive LCD display and resistive touch sensor combination provides a cost-effective alternative to high-end graphics tablets, achieving the same functional goal without the need for dedicated processors or complex active display management.
2Device complexity
If a passive LCD display with resistive touch sensor is used instead of active display, then the cost is reduced, but the ability to provide real-time visual feedback for hand annotations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the computer system's main display as an intermediary that provides real-time visual feedback. Instead of requiring the input device to have its own active display, the system uses the existing computer display to show annotations as they are created, maintaining real-time feedback capability while using a simpler passive LCD display with resistive touch sensor for input detection.
3Ease of operation
If users physically touch the screen directly for input, then the interaction is simple and direct, but eye fatigue increases due to the need to shift focus between the display and the touch surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch input surface with the visual display surface by using the computer's main display for both purposes. Users can see their annotations and interact with the system simultaneously on the same display, eliminating the need to shift focus between separate surfaces and reducing eye fatigue while maintaining direct interaction through the resistive touch interface.
4Adaptability or versatility
If remote touch input without physical screen contact is enabled, then the ability to input data remotely is improved, but the naturalness of the pen-on-paper experience is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the resistive touch sensor as an intermediary that detects touch input without requiring direct screen contact. Users can write with a stylus or finger on the passive LCD display surface, and the resistive sensor captures the input and transmits it to the computer system, providing remote input capability while maintaining the natural feel of writing on a physical surface through the tactile feedback of the resistive interface.
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
Enables remote, virtual on-screen data input with a low-cost solution for hand annotations and multi-touch control, allowing users to input data without physically touching the screen, providing a natural interaction experience and reducing eye fatigue by keeping focus on the display.
Implementation Method 1
a passive LCD display and a resistive touch sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A capture device for remote, virtual on screen data input by hand annotation comprises at least three functional layers including a bottom rigid layer, a middle pressure sensor layer and a top flexible layer. The bottom rigid layer has a surface that provides a mechanical support for writing. The middle pressure sensor layer is adapted to measuring a pressure array or map on the capture active area and to send data representing the measured pressure to a personal computer. The top flexible touch-sensitive passive LCD display layer includes an LCD surface by which whatever is written down on the LCD is impressed graphically due to its liquid crystal physical properties wherein applied pressure changes the crystal particles orientation and light properties, such that when a stylus presses against a writing surface thereof, it leaves a visible trace allowing the user to produce a drawing though no real ink has flown.