Retro-Reflective Pen Tool for Accurate Pointer Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interactive input systems face difficulties in distinguishing between a finger and a pen tool, particularly when the pen tool is angled, leading to potential misidentification and functional ambiguity.
Innovation Solution
A pen tool with a unique reflective signature, featuring a cylindrical body and a conical tip with an annular ring of light reflective material, is designed to be recognizable by the system's imaging assembly regardless of its orientation, along with a method to process image frames and detect this signature to differentiate it from a finger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pen tool without special reflective features is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot reliably distinguish the pen tool from a finger when the pen is angled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies retro-reflective material to the pen tool body, which reflects infrared light back to the cameras. This creates a distinctive visual signature that differentiates the pen from a finger, solving the identification reliability problem through optical property modification rather than structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retro-reflective material acts as an intermediary that modifies the interaction between the pen tool and the imaging system. By reflecting infrared light in a characteristic pattern, it mediates the detection process to enable reliable pointer type identification without requiring complex structural changes to the pen
2Measurement precision
If the pen tool is made with a simple cylindrical shape, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the system cannot detect the pen's orientation and distinguish it from a finger at various angles
Solution Approach 1:
The retro-reflective material creates angle-dependent reflection patterns that provide measurement precision for orientation detection. The material's optical properties enable the system to detect pen orientation at various angles without requiring complex geometric features or high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or geometric orientation indicators with an optical solution using retro-reflective material. This substitution allows orientation detection through light reflection patterns rather than requiring mechanically complex features, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining detection accuracy
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
The solution effectively distinguishes the pen tool from a finger at various angles, enhancing the system's ability to accurately identify and process input from both types of pointers, reducing misinterpretation and improving user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
A pen tool having a body that tapers adjacent one end towards a tip can be used with the coordinate input/detection device. The tapered portion of the pen tool body has a retro reflector thereon.
Data Source
AI summary
A pen tool for use with a machine vision interactive input system comprises an elongate body and a tip arrangement at one end of the body, an end surface of the body at least partially about the tip arrangement carrying light reflective material that is visible to at least one imaging assembly of the interactive input system when the pen tool is angled.