Resonant Pen Detection Using Localized Frequency Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices face latency issues in detecting and classifying resonating pens due to the need for individually testing each possible resonant frequency, which delays the determination of the selected resonant frequency and subsequent user interface changes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a master controller drives transmitter electrodes with a first sensing frequency, obtains the location of an input object, and performs a resonant frequency scan by driving only a subset of electrodes with possible resonant frequencies, minimizing latency by synchronizing slave controllers through trigger signals to demodulate resulting signals efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system tests each possible resonant frequency individually to determine the selected resonant frequency, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to sequential testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resonant frequency detection process into two phases: first, a broad capacitive sensing scan to identify the input object's location and approximate resonant frequency range; second, a targeted resonant frequency scan that tests only the identified frequency range. This segmentation eliminates the need to test all possible frequencies sequentially, reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision through focused testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capacitive sensing measurements at a first sensing frequency to identify the input object's location and estimate its resonant frequency characteristics before initiating the resonant frequency scan. This preliminary action provides critical information that guides the subsequent frequency testing, allowing the system to skip unnecessary frequency tests and reduce overall detection latency.
2Measurement precision
If the system performs a complete resonant frequency scan across all electrodes, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to increased detection time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the resonant frequency scan resources on the specific region where an input object has been detected, rather than scanning all electrodes uniformly. The system determines the input object's location through capacitive measurements and restricts the resonant frequency scan to electrodes in that local region, maintaining detection accuracy for the relevant area while improving overall system productivity by avoiding redundant scans in empty regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a partial resonant frequency scan that covers only the necessary frequency range identified through preliminary capacitive sensing, rather than exhaustively testing all possible frequencies across all electrodes. This partial action is sufficient to determine the resonant frequency with adequate precision while significantly reducing the time required, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing essential measurement accuracy.
3Productivity
If the system uses multiple slave controllers to parallelize the resonant frequency scan, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode array into multiple regions, each managed by a dedicated slave controller. During the resonant frequency scan, different slave controllers simultaneously test different frequency ranges or electrode subsets, enabling parallel processing. This segmentation allows the system to achieve productivity improvements through parallelization while keeping each individual slave controller relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave controllers are designed with multi-functionality, serving both capacitive sensing operations and resonant frequency scanning tasks. The same hardware infrastructure supports multiple functions, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and minimizing the increase in device complexity while still achieving parallel processing capabilities that improve productivity.
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
This approach reduces latency in determining the selected resonant frequency of an input object, enabling faster user interface responses and minimizing errors in color switching or other interface changes, such as in drawing programs, by performing the resonant frequency scan only on the portion of the sensing region corresponding to the input object's location.
Implementation Method 1
first capacitive measurements determined by the slave controllers using the first trigger signal, the first capacitive measurements being based on the first transmitter signal
Implementation Method 2
A resonating pen is a passive pen that is configured to resonate at different selectable frequencies
Implementation Method 3
The slave controllers demodulate a resulting signal according to the second trigger signal to obtain a second capacitive measurements for the possible resonant frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes driving, by the master controller, transmitter electrodes with a first transmitter signal having a first sensing frequency while transmitting a first trigger signal to slave controllers, obtaining a location of an input object determined from first capacitive measurements determined by the slave controllers using the first trigger signal, and performing a resonant frequency scan. The performing the resonant frequency scan is by performing for each possible resonant frequency of resonant frequencies: driving, by the master controller, only a subset of the transmitter electrodes with a second transmitter signal having the possible resonant frequency while transmitting a second trigger signal to the slave controllers, wherein the subset corresponds to the location of the input object. The slave controllers demodulate a resulting signal according to the second trigger signal to obtain a second capacitive measurements for the possible resonant frequency.