Electronic Pen Emotion Estimation via Pen State Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for estimating a user's emotional state during input work using electronic pens require wearing electroencephalographs and biological sensors, which is impractical and costly for real-time monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A coordinate input processing apparatus that includes a position detection sensor, circuitry for acquiring pen state information, and a transmitter to send this information to an emotion estimation apparatus, which processes the data to estimate the user's emotional state without the need for wearable sensors, using stored information on emotional states and their corresponding pen state ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electroencephalographs and biological sensors are worn during input work to estimate emotional state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemotional state estimation accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience during input work

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the emotional state estimation function from the input device itself and implements it as a separate, optional service. The emotion estimation apparatus operates independently from the electronic pen and input device, receiving only necessary pen state information rather than requiring integration of complex sensing hardware into the input device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary emotion estimation apparatus that acts as a mediator between the input device and the user. This separate apparatus receives pen state information, estimates emotional state using stored correlation data, and provides feedback without requiring direct integration into the input device or wearable sensors on the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electroencephalographs and biological sensors are worn during input work to estimate emotional state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemotional state estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the emotional state estimation function from the input device itself and implements it as a separate, optional service. The emotion estimation apparatus operates independently from the electronic pen and input device, receiving only necessary pen state information rather than requiring integration of complex sensing hardware into the input device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pen state information (pressure, speed, trajectory) as a simplified copy or proxy for direct biological measurements. Instead of measuring brain waves or physiological signals directly, the system captures indirect behavioral indicators through the electronic pen that correlate with emotional states, stored in advance in the emotion estimation apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If electroencephalographs and biological sensors are worn during input work to estimate emotional state, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemotional state estimation accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience during input work

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The emotion estimation apparatus performs self-service by automatically estimating emotional state from pen state information without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously receives pen state data, queries stored correlation information, performs estimation, and provides feedback without needing the user to wear sensors or manually input biological data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary emotion estimation apparatus that acts as a mediator between the input device and the user. This separate apparatus receives pen state information, estimates emotional state using stored correlation data, and provides feedback without requiring direct integration into the input device or wearable sensors on the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11625110B2Coordinate input processing apparatus, emotion estimation apparatus, emotion estimation system, and building apparatus for building emotion estimation-oriented database

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 WACOM CO LTD

AI summary

A coordinate input processing apparatus includes a position detection apparatus and a communication circuit. The position detection apparatus includes a sensor which detects a position pointed to by an electronic pen, and circuitry which acquires pen state information regarding a state of the electronic pen held by a person. The communication circuit transmits to an emotion estimation apparatus coordinates corresponding to the position pointed to by the electronic pen and the pen state information in an emotional state estimation request, and receives from the emotion estimation apparatus the coordinates corresponding to the position pointed to by the electronic pen, the pen state information included in the emotional state estimation request, and the information regarding the distracted state of the person holding the electronic pen in an emotional state estimation response having the same format as the emotional state estimation request.