Sensor Controller Uplink Signal Transmission Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor controllers face a heavy load and noise interference when transmitting uplink signals to styluses, particularly in devices with indium tin oxide films and foldable smartphones, leading to communication failures.

Innovation Solution

The sensor controller is configured to transmit uplink signals using one of two different settings, allowing it to switch between settings if the stylus fails to detect the signal, thereby reducing the load and noise effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor controller transmits uplink signals using a single setting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of communication deteriorates due to noise interference and signal detection failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcontroller complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor controller dynamically switches between first and second settings based on whether the stylus successfully detects the uplink signal. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable communication by changing transmission parameters when noise interference occurs, while keeping the base system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes transmission parameters by switching between different settings (first setting with first spread code and second setting with second spread code). These parameter changes enable the stylus to successfully detect uplink signals even in noisy environments, improving communication reliability without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the sensor controller uses multiple spread codes to transmit uplink signals, then the resistance to noise interference is improved, but the loss of time for signal detection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise interference effectVSAvoidsignal detection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor controller transmits uplink signals periodically using different spread codes (first spread code, then second spread code). This periodic transmission with alternating codes allows the stylus to detect signals despite noise interference, while the structured periodic nature prevents excessive time loss by establishing a predictable detection pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the stylus waits for uplink signal only in one setting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity of communication initialization deteriorates due to failed detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication initialization speedVSAvoidreceiver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stylus's receiver is designed with multi-functionality to detect uplink signals transmitted with either the first spread code or the second spread code. This universal detection capability allows the stylus to initialize communication efficiently regardless of which setting the sensor controller uses, improving productivity without requiring complex specialized receivers for each code type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250130663A1Sensor controller and stylus

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 WACOM CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a sensor controller configured to transmit, in either one of a first setting and a second setting different from the first setting, an uplink signal including a predetermined preamble, and select a selected one of the first setting or the second setting and transmit the uplink signal in the selected one of the first setting or the second setting.