Stylus IR Emitter Tracking for Occluded Whiteboard Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for projecting a whiteboard using an infrared (IR) emitter on a stylus face issues when the IR emitter is blocked, leading to disruptions in tracking and projection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A device with a processor, IR detector, projector, and transceiver uses a secondary IR emitter on the stylus to extrapolate the location of the primary IR emitter, combining orientation data to continue projecting handwriting onto the whiteboard even when the primary emitter is blocked, by calculating the extrapolated location using trigonometric functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single primary IR emitter is used on the stylus for tracking, then the system structure remains simple, but the tracking reliability is compromised when the emitter is blocked by the user or objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking reliabilityVSAvoidstylus structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single primary IR emitter is segmented into two separate emitters: a primary IR emitter for normal tracking operations and a secondary IR emitter for backup when the primary is blocked. This segmentation allows the system to maintain tracking reliability by switching between emitters while keeping each individual emitter relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary IR emitter is positioned on the stylus in advance to provide a backup tracking source before the primary emitter might be blocked. The system proactively prepares for potential blocking issues by having the secondary emitter ready to take over, ensuring continuous tracking without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Loss of time

If the system waits for the primary IR emitter to be unblocked before resuming tracking, then the system complexity remains low, but the loss of time occurs during blocking events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking interruption timeVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary IR emitter is activated in advance or simultaneously with the primary emitter during potential blocking scenarios, rather than waiting for the primary to fail. This preliminary action ensures that tracking continues without interruption by having the backup emitter ready to provide location data immediately when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous tracking action by switching between the primary and secondary IR emitters based on which one is unblocked. This ensures that the useful action of tracking the stylus position continues without interruption, eliminating gaps in handwriting projection reference data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If the primary IR emitter is used for all tracking operations, then the device complexity is minimized, but the measurement precision is reduced when blocking occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestylus location accuracyVSAvoidIR emitter system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the stylus (primary and secondary IR emitters) are assigned different functional qualities: the primary emitter handles normal tracking while the secondary emitter is positioned to provide accurate location data when the primary is blocked. This local differentiation ensures that at least one emitter provides precise measurement at any given time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the active parameter (which IR emitter is used) based on the blocking condition. When the primary emitter is blocked, the system switches to using the secondary emitter's location data, changing the operational parameter to maintain measurement precision without requiring complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures continuous and accurate projection of handwriting onto the whiteboard by using the secondary IR emitter to maintain tracking and projection accuracy when the primary IR emitter is obstructed, preventing interruptions in the ghostwriting process.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared (IR) detector accessible to the processor and that receives signals from a primary IR emitter on a hand-held device and a secondary IR emitter on the hand-held device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10275047B2Determining stylus location relative to projected whiteboard using secondary IR emitter on stylus

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

In one aspect, a device includes a processor, an infrared (IR) detector accessible to the processor and that receives signals from a primary IR emitter on a hand-held device and a secondary IR emitter on the hand-held device, a projector accessible to the processor, a transceiver accessible to the processor, and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to use a location of the secondary IR emitter as sensed by the IR detector and orientation data of the hand-held device received from the transceiver to extrapolate a handwriting projection reference. The instructions are also executable to use the handwriting projection reference to project handwriting onto a projected whiteboard.