Texture Capture Stylus With Image Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic devices, such as graphics tablets and PCs, are limited in simulating physical textures when creating images, relying on their creativity to determine the methods and types of visual texture, which can restrict the authenticity of the texture emulation.
Innovation Solution
A stylus equipped with an image sensor and a light transmissive tip that captures the physical attributes of a surface, allowing the sensed image to be stored or used to simulate the texture, with optional haptic feedback for a tactile experience, enabling the creation of images that accurately emulate the sensed surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users rely on their creativity to determine the methods and types of visual texture, then they can maintain flexibility in image creation, but the authenticity and accuracy of texture emulation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stylus performs self-capture of surface textures by automatically sensing and capturing texture data when brought into contact with or near the surface, eliminating the need for separate scanning equipment or manual texture sampling processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual texture creation methods with an optical sensing system using an image sensor and light transmissive tip to automatically capture and reproduce surface textures, substituting mechanical texture application with digital imaging and rendering
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional stylus without texture capture capability is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the ability to create authentic textured images is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stylus integrates multiple functions including traditional pointing/input capabilities plus texture capture, storage, and reproduction functions, allowing a single device to serve both as an input tool and a texture sampling studio
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is positioned within the stylus body behind a light transmissive tip, creating a nested structure where the sensing component is integrated into the existing stylus form factor without requiring external attachments
3Loss of information
If the image sensor captures detailed surface textures, then the visual realism is improved, but the amount of data to be processed and stored increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential texture information from captured images by separating texture data from full-color image data, storing only the relevant texture patterns needed for reproduction rather than complete high-resolution images
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
Enables the creation of images with authentic texture simulation, allowing users to capture and reproduce the physical attributes of surfaces, enhancing the quality and realism of visual images and providing a tactile experience, thereby overcoming limitations in existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The stylus may include a light transmissive tip through which the image sensor can detect the texture of the surface over which the stylus is passed
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a stylus for texture capture. The stylus includes an image sensing and capture device to permit a surface to be scanned using the stylus and an image may be stored and displayed on an electronic device to represent the texture of the scanned surface.