Pen-Shaped Coordinate Device With Relative-Absolute Stroke Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pen-shaped mice have limitations in inputting stroke data with high accuracy and have a narrow imaging range, while electronic pens require battery level notifications that are often overlooked.
Innovation Solution
A pen-shaped device with a relative coordinate detecting circuit and signal transmitter circuit for accurate stroke data input, and an electronic device that integrates battery level information into stroke data rendering, along with a waveguide component for a wide imaging range using a common lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pen-shaped mouse uses a common lens for both forward and return path waveguides, then the configuration is simple and does not require lateral light irradiation, but the imaging range becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into separate forward path waveguide and return path waveguide components. By segmenting the optical paths and using dedicated lenses for each path, the system achieves both configuration simplicity and wide imaging range, resolving the contradiction between using a common lens and maintaining broad imaging coverage.
2Ease of operation
If a pen-shaped mouse is used for stroke data input, then it is easy to hold and saves space, but the input accuracy is low compared to electronic pens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pen-shaped device universal by enabling it to perform both cursor movement functions (relative coordinates) and high-accuracy stroke input functions (absolute coordinates). The device can switch between operating modes, allowing it to function as both a mouse and an electronic pen, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
3Loss of information
If battery remaining level is displayed on screen, then it provides information to user, but user frequently overlooks the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes in the rendered stroke data to indicate battery remaining level. The rendering color changes based on battery status, providing intuitive visual feedback that is difficult to overlook. This resolves the contradiction by making the information delivery both effective and hard to miss through salient color indicators.
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 high-accuracy stroke data input and wide imaging range, while notifying users of battery levels effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an optical device including a light source that, in operation, emits light and an imaging part that, in operation, images reflected light of the light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide component that, in operation, diffuses the light to a vicinity of the pen tip and a function of guiding the reflected light to the imaging part
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a pen-shaped device having a pen tip, the pen-shaped device that includes a relative coordinate detecting device that, in operation, detects relative coordinates indicating changes in a position of the pen tip, and a signal transmitter circuit that, in operation, transmits a signal usable to detect absolute coordinates of the pen tip in a predetermined region. The relative coordinate detecting device includes an optical device including a light source that, in operation, emits light and an imaging part that, in operation, images reflected light of the light emitted from the light source.