Virtualizing Smartwatch Digital Crown via Electronic Pen Gestures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smartwatch users face inconvenience when interacting with digital crown functionalities while using an electronic pen, as they need to interrupt their use of the pen to perform digital crown actions, disrupting the continuous interaction with the smartwatch.
Innovation Solution
The system enables virtualization of digital crown actions by communicatively coupling a smartwatch with an electronic pen, allowing the pen to control smartwatch functionalities through rotation and movement, eliminating the need to physically interact with the smartwatch's digital crown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user interacts with the digital crown on the smartwatch to control functionalities, then the smartwatch functionalities can be controlled, but the user must interrupt their use of the electronic pen, disrupting continuous interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual replica of the digital crown's functionality that can be accessed through the electronic pen interface. The system detects pen gestures (rotation, pressure, position) and maps them to equivalent digital crown commands, allowing the user to control smartwatch functionalities without physically touching the watch itself. This virtualization enables continuous interaction with the pen while achieving the same control objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic pen serves as an intermediary device between the user and the smartwatch. Instead of directly interacting with the physical digital crown, the user interacts with the pen, which then translates pen gestures into digital crown commands for the smartwatch. This intermediary approach eliminates the need to put down the pen to operate the digital crown, maintaining continuous interaction flow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user physically interacts with the digital crown on the smartwatch, then digital crown actions can be performed, but the user cannot continue using the electronic pen for other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic pen is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a traditional pen for writing/drawing and as a virtual control interface for the digital crown functionalities. The system detects various pen gestures (rotation, pressure changes, movement patterns) and interprets them as different digital crown commands, making the pen a universal input device that can perform both creative tasks and watch control without switching devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the digital crown's control capabilities that can be accessed through the pen interface. By detecting pen gestures and mapping them to digital crown functions, the system allows the user to perform the same control actions without physically touching the watch, thus maintaining the versatility and continuous usability of the electronic pen.
3Ease of operation
If the smartwatch displays content locally, then the user can view information on the watch, but the user experience is enhanced when content is mirrored on a connected device
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy of the smartwatch display content on a connected device (such as a smartphone or tablet). The content displayed on the smartwatch is mirrored or replicated on the larger display of the connected device, allowing the user to view information in greater detail and context. This copying approach enhances user experience by providing a more immersive display while maintaining the functionality of the smartwatch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the display functionality of the smartwatch with that of the connected device. By establishing a wireless connection and mirroring content, the system combines the capabilities of both displays, allowing the user to interact with smartwatch content on a larger screen. This merging enhances the overall user experience while leveraging the existing connectivity between devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to virtualization of digital crown actions based on actions performed with an electronic pen. A technique includes communicatively coupling a smartwatch to an electronic pen, the smartwatch including a rotatable piece, where the rotatable piece controls a plurality of functionalities of the smartwatch. The technique includes receiving data from the electronic pen, and in response to receiving the data from the electronic pen, controlling at least one of the plurality of functionalities.