Touch Pen Color Recognition via Wavelength-Dependent Light Intensity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices fail to automatically recognize the color of a touch pen without using a dedicated pen or camera, leading to inaccurate pen color recognition due to environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus equipped with a sensor system comprising light emitting elements of different wavelengths and light receiving elements, which identifies the touch position and pen color based on signal intensity, allowing for accurate pen color recognition without external modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a camera is used to recognize pen color, then pen color recognition is enabled, but recognition accuracy deteriorates due to environmental factors such as lighting brightness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepen color recognition capabilityVSAvoidpen color recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the camera-based optical recognition system with a sensor-based electromagnetic field detection system. The sensor detects changes in the electromagnetic field caused by the touch pen, enabling color identification without relying on visual imaging that is susceptible to lighting conditions. This substitution of detection mechanism fundamentally resolves the accuracy problem associated with environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary between the touch pen and the processing unit. This sensor acts as a mediator that detects the electromagnetic field changes induced by the touch pen and converts them into usable signals for color identification, bypassing the need for direct visual observation by a camera and thereby eliminating environmental interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If a dedicated pen with specific module is used, then automatic pen color identification is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to exclusive hardware requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic pen color identificationVSAvoidhardware configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display device's sensor system universally applicable to multiple types of touch pens without requiring dedicated hardware modules in each pen. The sensor detects electromagnetic field changes from any touch pen that creates such changes, making the automatic color identification feature universal rather than exclusive to specially equipped pens. This reduces both device complexity and user costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the touch pen to serve its own identification function by utilizing its inherent electromagnetic field properties when it touches the screen. The pen doesn't need additional identification modules; instead, its basic operational characteristic (creating electromagnetic field changes upon contact) is leveraged for automatic color identification, allowing the pen to effectively identify itself through its natural behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual color setting is required, then all touch pens can be used, but user operation time and convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch pen compatibilityVSAvoiduser setup effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs automatic pen color identification immediately when the touch pen is first used, before any manual configuration is needed. The system proactively detects the pen's color through electromagnetic field changes and pre-configures the corresponding display parameters, eliminating the need for users to perform manual color setting operations. This preliminary automatic action resolves the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 accurate and automatic recognition of touch pen colors, independent of environmental conditions, using a sensor system that emits and receives light of varying wavelengths to determine the pen color, enhancing user experience by eliminating the need for dedicated pens and cameras.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting element emitting light of a first wavelength and a light receiving element receiving the light reflected by the touch pen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

receiving the light reflected by the touch pen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3640778B1Display apparatus and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3640778B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3640778B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3640778B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a display, a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of different wavelengths and a plurality of light receiving elements, and a processor that identifies intensities light emitted by the light emitting elements and received by the light receiving elements to identify a pen color of a touch pen on a basis of the intensities.