Pen Input Device Holding Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pen-type input devices lack reliability in accurately determining the holding hand state and orientation, leading to complex operations and poor operability.
Innovation Solution
A pen-type input device with a pillar-shaped body equipped with contact sensors on its surface to detect the holding position and orientation, allowing for accurate determination of the holding hand and specification of functions based on these detections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional contact detection devices are used to detect holding position, then the device can detect basic contact information, but the orientation of the pen-type input device cannot be detected accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The contact sensor is divided into multiple detection regions (first contact sensor and second contact sensor positioned at different locations) to detect different aspects of the holding state. This segmentation allows accurate determination of both holding position and orientation without requiring a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from detecting only contact presence to detecting contact position and orientation by utilizing spatial distribution of multiple contact sensors. This adds dimensional information (position and orientation) to the detection capability, enabling accurate holding hand determination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If contact sensors are arranged over the entire periphery of the grip portion to detect finger position, then information input area can be set based on contact position, but the orientation of the pen-type input device remains undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly distributing sensors over the entire periphery, the patent places contact sensors at specific strategic locations (first and second contact sensors at different positions). This local quality approach provides sufficient information for function specification while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines multiple holding states corresponding to different contact sensor activation patterns. When a user holds the device, the system automatically matches the detected contact pattern to the appropriate pre-defined holding state, enabling intuitive function specification without complex user input.
3Reliability
If holding position detection is implemented using conventional methods, then basic holding state can be identified, but accurate orientation detection is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The contact sensor is segmented into multiple independent detection regions that can identify different contact points. This segmentation provides reliable holding state determination by detecting which specific regions are activated, without requiring a densely packed sensor array.
Data Source
AI summary
A pen-type input device having a plurality of functions, including: a pillar-shaped pen body; a contact sensor; a detection position determiner that determines a holding position of the pen body based on a detection result of the contact sensor; and a function specifier that specifies a function of the pen-type input device based on a determination result of the detection position determiner. The contact sensor detects a position where a finger of a holding hand that holds the pen body contacts, and a position where a portion between a base of a thumb and a base of a forefinger of the holding hand contacts.