Stylus Hash Caching for Fast Sensor Controller Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stylus-sensor systems face delays in establishing communication due to the need for constant transmission of capability information, leading to slow response times when multiple styluses enter and exit the sensing zone, as they are unable to quickly ascertain the specific capabilities of each stylus, such as orientation detection, which hinders efficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a bidirectional communication protocol where the active stylus generates a hash value of its capability information and transmits it to the sensor controller, allowing the controller to cache this information for quick matching and verification, thereby reducing the need for extensive data transmission and speeding up the pairing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stylus transmits its entire capability information each time it enters the sensing zone, then the sensor controller can have complete information about the stylus capabilities, but this transmission takes up multiple time slots or frames leading to slow response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential capability information that the stylus needs to transmit to the sensor controller, rather than transmitting the entire capability set. This selective transmission reduces the data volume and time slots required, directly resolving the contradiction between information completeness and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor controller performs preliminary actions by maintaining a cache of stylus capability information from previous interactions. When a stylus enters the sensing zone, the controller can quickly match the stylus against cached information, avoiding the need for complete re-transmission and enabling faster recognition and response.
2Reliability
If the sensor controller waits to receive complete capability information before starting communication, then it can properly configure for the stylus's particular capability, but this leads to delay in establishing communication
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller performs preliminary configuration actions by using cached capability information to pre-configure communication parameters before the stylus actually transmits its full capability set. This allows the controller to be ready to receive and process stylus data immediately, reducing communication establishment delay while maintaining proper configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only the essential cached capability information needed for immediate communication setup, rather than waiting for complete capability transmission. This partial configuration is sufficient to establish communication quickly, with full configuration following afterward.
3Device complexity
If a rigid data format is used for stylus-to-controller communication, then the protocol is simple to implement, but it is incapable of supporting different and expanding variations of stylus capabilities and functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic data format where the stylus capability information structure can adapt to different stylus types and capabilities. The format includes flexible fields that can accommodate various capability variations (pressure sensitivity, orientation detection, touch gestures) while maintaining a consistent basic structure, thus supporting both protocol simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The data format is designed with universal fields that can accommodate multiple stylus capability types. A single standardized format structure handles different capability variations through optional or extensible fields, allowing the same protocol to support diverse stylus functions without requiring multiple specialized formats.
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 enables rapid determination of stylus capabilities, facilitating faster communication establishment and reducing delays, allowing for immediate recognition and utilization of stylus settings, such as line width and color, thereby enhancing the responsiveness and efficiency of stylus-sensor interactions.
Implementation Method 1
transmits signal by providing an electric charge corresponding to the transmission signal to an electrode provided at a tip of the stylus, to thereby cause a change in an electric field at or near a position indicated (pointed to) by the tip
Implementation Method 2
the above-described change in the electric field created by the stylus tip induces a corresponding change in an electric charge in the matrix electrodes at or near the stylus tip
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided to interface an active stylus with a sensor controller, wherein the sensor controller is coupled to a sensor configured to receive input from the active stylus. In the method the sensor controller caches stylus capability information of the active stylus. The stylus capability information includes setting information for inking used by an application program executed to display input from the active stylus on the sensor. The active stylus generates a hash value of the stylus capability information and transmits the hash value to the sensor controller when the active stylus enters a sensing zone of the sensor controller.