Wireless Pen Separation Alarm for Tablet Misplacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to prevent the misplacement of electronic pens used with computer tablets, which can result in high costs due to their frequent loss and the subsequent unusability of the tablet without the compatible pen, while existing solutions like cord attachment are inconvenient and obstructive.
Innovation Solution
A system where a computer tablet with a wireless receiver and a pen equipped with a wireless transmitter uses short-range RF signals like Bluetooth, UWB, or RFID to detect each other's presence, triggering an alarm if the pen is not sensed within a designated time period, allowing for audible or visible notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fastening both objects to opposite ends of a cord, then the electronic pen and writing tablet remain in close vicinity, but the cord obstructs a clear writing path and is difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cord-based connection system with an electronic wireless communication system. The tablet and pen exchange identification signals electronically, eliminating the need for physical cord attachment while maintaining the ability to detect separation and trigger alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary alert mechanism (visual or audible signals) that mediates between the pen and tablet to indicate separation. This intermediary system provides the reliability of connection monitoring without requiring physical attachment, thus avoiding the obstruction problems of cord-based solutions.
2Ease of operation
If using wireless signals to detect pen presence, then the writing path remains clear and management is simplified, but the system requires additional wireless transmitter and receiver components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pen and tablet multi-functional by equipping them with both writing capabilities and wireless communication capabilities. The same devices that write and display can also transmit and receive identification signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated tracking components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pen and tablet serve themselves by using their own built-in processors and communication interfaces to perform the separation detection function. Each device independently transmits its identification signal and processes the received signals, eliminating the need for external monitoring hardware or complex centralized control systems.
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 solution effectively prevents pen misplacement by alerting the user when the pen is separated from the tablet, ensuring the pen is not lost and maintaining the tablet's usability without the inconvenience of physical attachment.
Implementation Method 1
The pen includes a wireless transmitter. A processor is associated with the computer tablet and outputs an alarm when at least one signal from the transmitter of the pen is not sensed by the computer tablet within a time period.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer tablet includes a wireless receiver, and a pen is configured to be manipulated by a person to ride against the computer tablet and thereby provide input to the computer tablet. The pen includes a wireless transmitter. A processor associated with the computer tablet outputs an alarm when a signal from the transmitter of the pen is not sensed by the computer tablet within a time period.