Touch Stylus Antenna Switching for Extended Hover Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
User interfaces experience a broken electrostatic communication link when the hover height between a touch instrument and a touch device exceeds approximately 10 mm, detracting from the user experience.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive hover operation is achieved by varying the antenna configuration of a touch instrument, activating and deactivating multiple antennas based on hover height to maintain synchronization and communication with the touch device, supporting features like maintaining synchronization, faster re-entry, improved palm rejection, and pop-up menu presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single antenna configuration is used in a touch instrument, then the device structure remains simple, but the electrostatic communication link breaks when hover height exceeds approximately 10 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic antenna configuration where the touch instrument switches between different antenna sets based on detected hover height. When hovering above approximately 10 mm, the system activates a first set of antennas; when closer, it switches to a second set. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliable electrostatic communication across varying distances without requiring all antennas to be permanently active, thus preserving communication reliability while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple separate antenna sets (first set and second set) with different characteristics optimized for different hover height ranges. This segmentation allows the system to select the appropriate antenna configuration for the current operating condition, maintaining communication reliability at various distances without requiring a single complex antenna design.
2Reliability
If multiple antennas are activated to extend hover range, then communication reliability improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates only the necessary antenna set based on the current hover height. When the touch instrument hovers above approximately 10 mm, only the first set of antennas is activated to extend range. When closer to the display, the system switches to the second set. This dynamic switching ensures that power-consuming antennas are active only when needed for extended hover, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable communication across the full hover range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the antenna system by switching between different antenna configurations based on hover height. This parameter change allows the system to optimize power consumption by using the appropriate antenna set for each height range, rather than continuously operating all antennas at maximum power.
3Length of moving object
If antenna configuration is adapted based on hover height, then hover range increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic antenna configuration adaptation where the controller automatically switches between different antenna sets based on detected hover height. This dynamic approach extends the effective hover height range without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or manual intervention, managing device complexity through automated electronic switching rather than physical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functional antenna sets that can serve different purposes at different hover heights. The first antenna set is optimized for extended hover range, while the second set is optimized for closer interaction. This universality allows a single touch instrument to effectively operate across multiple hover height ranges using different configurations of the same antenna components, extending functional capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 increases hover height and enhances user experience by maintaining communication link integrity and enabling smoother interactions with touch devices.
Implementation Method 1
The distance between the stylus and the surface of the device is determined by measuring the strength of a signal received by the stylus and/or a signal received by the device
Implementation Method 2
An electrostatic communication link between a touch interface and a touch instrument may be broken when a hover height (e.g., distance between touch instrument and touch device) exceeds approximately 10 mm
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Methods, devices, systems, and computer program products are provided for adaptive hover operation of touch instruments, which may increase hover height and improve user experience. Hover range may be adapted, for example, by adapting an antenna configuration during hover. A touch instrument may comprise multiple antennas that may be activated and deactivated, e.g., as a function of proximity. Antenna configuration may increment (e.g., increase cumulative antenna size) as hover height increases and decrement (e.g., decrease cumulative antenna size) as hover height decreases. Antennas may be multi-purpose, such as being used to maintain synchronization for extended hover range and for other purposes (e.g., determining hover height, tilt, orientation, grip) and/or features (e.g., providing commands for pop-up menus). Adaptive hover may support (i) maintaining synchronization during use, (ii) faster synchronization when a touch instrument enters or re-enters detectable hover height, (iii) improved palm rejection and (iv) pop up menu presentation.