EP3494461A1

EP3494461A1 - Input element for a touch-sensitive screen

Info

Publication number: EP3494461A1
Application number: EP18701453.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hauke HELMER; Günter Paul PETERS; Denny KRUSE; Philipp EWERLING; Ulrich Mangold
Original assignee: Interactive Scape GmbH
Current assignee: Interactive Scape GmbH
Priority date: 2017-01-23
Filing date: 2018-01-22
Publication date: 2019-06-12
Also published as: DE102017201042A1; WO2018134418A1; US20200183504A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an input element (1) for a touch-sensitive screen (20), comprising - a first communication unit (4) for communicating with a control and processing unit (30); - at least two contact surfaces (5) which can be detected by the touch-sensitive screen (20); and - an acceleration sensor (10) for detecting an acceleration of the input element (1). The invention further relates to a method and a computer program for detecting an input element (1) on a touch-sensitive screen.

Description

Input element for a touch-sensitive screen

The invention relates to an input element for a touch-sensitive screen according to the main claim and a method for detecting an input element on a touch-sensitive screen according to the independent claim.

Nowadays, touch-sensitive screens (touch screens) are used in various areas. Touch-sensitive screens are used, for example, in smartphones, tablet PCs and in various machines. An advantage of these touch-sensitive screens is that both input and output are via the screen. Touch screens are capable of detecting where the screen is being touched with a finger.

Many touch-sensitive screens use capacitive touchscreens. Here are two in a glass across each other aligned grids of transparent electrical cables. The upper of the two wire grids continuously sends electrical signals to the lower grid. When the screen is touched with a finger, an electric capacitance of the intervening insulating layer changes and a signal becomes weaker at that point. A processor then calculates a position where the signal has dropped and passes the location and duration of the touch to software of the device. This then performs a corresponding action on the touch out. Such capacitive touch-sensitive screens, which often can also detect multiple touches simultaneously (multi-touch displays), are typically not designed to detect passive objects placed on the touch-sensitive screen. On the contrary, such systems typically include filters to actively filter out touch data triggered by passive objects.

In the literature, various passive input elements have been proposed, which are detectable by a touch-sensitive screen. Here, e.g. however, in capacitive touch-sensitive screens, there is a limitation that a user must touch these input elements themselves in order for the touch-sensitive screen to detect these input elements. This leads to various problems. First, the system can not reliably distinguish whether an object has been removed from the screen or whether a user has stopped touching the object. In addition, a movement of an input element through the

System not detectable when the input member is moved but not touched.

Examples of such input elements are described in the following publications: "PUCs: Detecting Transparent, Passive Untouched Capacitive Widgets on Unmodified Multi-touch Displays, Simon Voelker, Kosuke Nakajima, Christian Thoresen, Yuichi Itoh, Kjell Ivar 0vergärd, and Jan Borchers, ITS '13: Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces, pp. 101-104, New York, NY, USA, 2013 "and" PERCs: Persistently Trackable Tangibles on Capacitive Multi-Touch

Displays, Simon Voelker, Christian Cherek, Jan Thar, Thorsten Karrer, Christian Thoresen, Kjell Ivar 0vergärd, and Jan Borchers, UIST '15: Proceedings of the 28th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, UIST '15, pp. 351-356, New York, NY, USA, November 2015 ".

For smooth operation, touch screen input elements should meet at least one or two or more of the following conditions:

1. The system should always be able to determine whether or not the input elements are currently on the touch-sensitive screen, whether or not they are touched by a user.

2. Each input element should be clearly identifiable.

3. The system should be able to detect a precise position and orientation of the input element (s).

4. A change in the position and orientation of fast-moving input elements should be detectable without noticeable delay.

It has been found that many input elements specified in the prior art are unable or at least not satisfactory to satisfy at least one or more than one or all of these four conditions.

The object of the invention is to propose an input element for a touch-sensitive screen, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for detecting an input element on a touch-sensitive screen, which is able to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object is achieved by an input element according to the main claim and a method according to the independent claim. Further developments result from the features of the dependent claims and from the following description. An input element for a touch-sensitive screen comprises a first communication unit for communicating with a control and processing unit. Furthermore, the input element comprises at least two contact surfaces that can be detected by the touch-sensitive screen. The input member further includes an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration of the input member.

At least one or two or more of the above four conditions may be met with the proposed input element.

By means of the acceleration sensor, an increase in speed and / or a decrease in the speed of the input element in different directions can be detected. The direction in which the input element is accelerated can be detected by the acceleration sensor, for example, by the acceleration sensor determining from where gravity acts on the input element. A measurement of the acceleration takes place here in the rule in three mutually perpendicular directions in space.

In one development, the acceleration sensor is designed to detect a settling of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen. By settling the input element on the touch-sensitive screen, the input element typically receives a characteristic acceleration. Therefore, by detecting this characteristic acceleration, it can be known whether the input element has been placed on the touch-sensitive screen.

The acceleration sensor may also be configured to detect a lifting of the input element from the touch-sensitive

Screen. Even when lifting the input element, the input element gets a characteristic acceleration, which is detectable by the acceleration sensor. By measuring this characteristic acceleration, it can thus be determined that the input element has been removed from the touch-sensitive screen. In addition, the acceleration sensor may be configured to detect an acceleration of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen. When the input element is moved to the touch-sensitive screen on the touch-sensitive screen after it has been deposited, this is thus detectable by the acceleration sensor. For example, if two or more than two input elements are on the touch-sensitive screen and one or more of them are moved or rotated, it can be determined which of the input elements has just been moved since the acceleration sensor is able to detect accelerations very accurately. The signals measured by the acceleration sensor can therefore also be used to identify the input element.

An accuracy of the acceleration sensor may be at least ± 2.5% of 8 g, 4 g or 2 g or less, ie ± 0.2 g, ± 0.1 g or ± 0.05 g or less, where g is the location-dependent Acceleration due to gravity is, for example, about 9,81m / s ² .

If only two interfaces are provided or e.g. If only two contact surfaces are temporarily detected by the touch-sensitive screen, this can possibly lead to an ambiguity with respect to a rotation or a rotation angle of the input element. In fact, when the input element is rotated by 180 °, two identical contact surfaces trigger a similar signal in the touch-sensitive screen. If the input element is now moved, the rotation or the angle of rotation (orientation) of the input element can be unambiguously resolved by means of the measured, direction-dependent acceleration and the movement of the contact surfaces on the screen.

By a temporal resolution of the acceleration can also be determined when which input element was placed on the touch-sensitive screen. This is in a quasi-simultaneous placement of various input elements of advantage, since it can be clearly established which input element when and where was set up.

For this purpose, the acceleration sensor can be designed to detect a Acceleration with a time accuracy of at least 100 milliseconds, preferably at least 50 milliseconds, more preferably at least 20 milliseconds, in particular at least 10 milliseconds. A data transmission rate of the acceleration sensor can be between 1.6 Hz and 800 Hz, ie values can be transmitted every 641 ms or every 1.25 ms. Similarly, the touch screen for detecting a touch may have a temporal resolution of at least 100 milliseconds, preferably at least 50 milliseconds, more preferably at least 20 milliseconds, especially at least 10 milliseconds. Preferably, time measurements in the input element and in the touch-sensitive screen are synchronized so that temporal sequences can be compared with one another.

The first communication unit is preferably designed as a wireless communication unit. In a wireless embodiment, the first communication unit comprises at least one transmitting unit for transmitting radio signals. Optionally, a receiving unit for receiving radio signals may additionally be provided. Furthermore, the first communication unit comprises e.g. an antenna for sending and / or receiving radio signals. The first communication unit may form part of a network. Possible wireless connections include, for example, WLAN or WPAN, in particular Bluetooth, or other near-field connections. The first communication unit transmits the data and / or signals of the sensors typically at intervals of 10 ms to 20 ms to a second communication unit (see below).

It can further be provided that the input element is designed to establish a connection with the control and processing unit by means of the first communication unit, if by the acceleration sensor a different acceleration from the gravitational acceleration and / or a

Change in acceleration is detected. By making and / or maintaining the connection of the first communication unit with the second communication unit only when acceleration and / or change in acceleration differing from gravitational acceleration are detected, power can be saved (energy-saving mode). To measure touches on the touch screen, the touch screen may include optical, capacitive, inductive or resistive sensors or a combination of two or more of these sensors. These are the expert from the

Known in the art. The touch-sensitive screen is in particular configured to simultaneously detect a multiplicity of contact surfaces (multi-touch display). As described above, a capacitive touchscreen typically includes two transversely aligned gratings of transparent electrical leads. When the screen is touched by a certain interface of an input element or a user's finger, the mutual electrical capacitance of the intersecting electrical leads of the touch-sensitive screen changes at the location of the touch, and the signal weakens at that point. However, this requires a coupling of the contact surface with ground. The coupling can be z. B. over the body of a user. Since, however, except for one horizontal and one vertical detection conductor track of said grating, eg adjacent detection conductor tracks are grounded, a derivation is also possible if a second contact surface is provided and this is located on a detection conductor track which is grounded , In order to enable the above-described coupling or the derivation of the electrical capacitance, the contact surfaces of the input element are therefore usually connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. By providing at least two contact surfaces that are electrically connected to one another, it is no longer necessary for a reliable detection by the touch-sensitive screen that the input element is touched by a user. When resting the input element on the touch-sensitive screen, the conductive connection between the contact surfaces is typically spaced from the touch-sensitive screen. The conductive connection between the contact surfaces is usually arranged such that the conductive connection has a distance of at least 1 mm or at least 2 mm to the touch-sensitive screen. The said conductive connection may be by one or more Metal strips or metal wires, for example -aus copper and / or aluminum, can be realized, or connect the contact surfaces with each other. For further details, reference is made to the following publication, which by reference is made entirely part of this disclosure:

"PUCs: Detecting Transparent, Passive Untouched Capacitive Widgets on Unmodified Multi-touch Displays, Simon Voelker, Kosuke Nakajima, Christian Thoresen, Yuichi Itoh, Kjell Ivar 0vergärd, and Jan Borchers, ITS '13; Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces, pages 101-104, New York, NY, USA, 2013 ".

Under certain circumstances, it may happen that both contact surfaces are arranged on the touch-sensitive screen such that a coupling to ground is not possible. For example, both contact surfaces are located on the same detection trace. Therefore, it may be advantageous if at least three or at least four or at least five or even more contact surfaces are provided; This means that the probability of coupling the contact surfaces with a detection track, which is grounded, is always greater.

An arrangement of the touch surfaces on the input element may be referred to as a touch pattern. In accordance with a two-dimensional surface of a touch-sensitive screen, the contact pattern is usually also two-dimensional. Thus, the contact surfaces of the touch pattern are usually in one plane. If three or more contact surfaces are provided, it is advantageous if they are arranged such that the corresponding contact pattern has at most one C ₃ symmetry or one C symmetry. In other words, the touch pattern can not have rotational symmetry. In this case, ambiguity of the detected touch pattern can be reduced. As described above, the touch screen typically has two grids of transparent traces. The tracks of the grid intersect at an intersection angle. The likelihood of coupling across a ground trace is greater if the crossing angle of the traces of the touch-sensitive screen in the touch pattern is avoided. Beispiels- example, three of the contact surfaces are referred to as A, B and C. Two straight lines are formed by the links AB and BC. An angle et enclosed by the links AB and BC is preferably 0 ° <a <90 ° or 90 ° <a <180 ° when the crossing angle of the tracks of the touch-sensitive screen is 90 °. In particular, α is therefore not equal to 0 °, 90 ° and 180 °. At an intersection angle β of the interconnects, the angle α enclosed by the connecting sections is preferably not equal to β and / or not equal to 180 ° -β and / or 0 ° <α <β or β <α 180 ° -β or 180 ° -β <α <180 °. Furthermore, the connecting sections AB, BC and AC can each have a length that differs from the

Lengths of the other two versions are different. The stated conditions for the angle and the lengths of the links can be met for arbitrary combinations A, B and C of all contact surfaces. A length of a connecting path between the centers of gravity of two contact surfaces may be e.g. at least 20 mm, at least

22 mm, at least 24 mm or at least 26 mm.

For example, the mating surfaces may include a material that changes an electric field in a manner similar to a human finger. A suitable material for the contact surfaces would be z. B. conductive rubber.

Rubber can further prevent scratches from forming on a surface of the touch-sensitive screen. The contact surfaces, in particular friction properties of a used material of the contact surfaces, should be designed so that a rotation of the input object caused by a user's hand on the touch-sensitive screen is possible.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the contact surfaces have a shape which is similar to a shape of a fingertip when touching the touch-sensitive screen, since the touch-sensitive screens in the

Usually designed to detect touches of a fingertip. Typically, the contact surfaces are round or elliptical or oval. The contact surfaces may also have a diameter of at least 11 mm, preferably at least 12 mm or at least 13 mm, so that they can be reliably detected by the touch-sensitive screen. The contact surfaces can continue to measure a diameter of not more than 15 mm, preferably not more than 14 mm or not more than 13 mm.

In one embodiment, the input element comprises a gyroscope for detecting a rotational movement of the input element. The gyroscope measures e.g. a rotational speed and thus rotational movement of the input element. For a determination of the orientation, the gyroscope typically uses a Coriolis force and the so-called tuning fork principle. In the gyroscope, which typically has a size of 4 x 4 mm, e.g. Metal elements caused to vibrate by electricity. When the input member is moved, the vibration of the metal members changes, and capacitors disposed therearound register a change which is then detected as a rotational movement. Other prior art sensors for rotational speeds are conceivable. The gyroscope may preferably have rotational speeds up to 2000% with an accuracy of 0.0625% and with e.g. record a data rate of 12.5 Hz to 800 Hz.

In one development, the input element comprises a field sensor for detecting an electric field strength of the touch-sensitive screen and / or for measuring a change in the electric field strength of the touch-sensitive screen. By means of the field sensor it is therefore also possible to detect whether the input element rests on the touch-sensitive screen. The field sensor may be configured to detect an electric field strength in at least one of the contact surfaces.

When the field sensor is designed to detect an electric field strength in at least one of the contact surfaces, this respective contact surface serves the field sensor as an antenna. The field sensor can the field strength z. B. with a measuring frequency of at least 50 kHz, at least 100 kHz, at least 200 kHz or at least 300 kHz detect. For example, the field sensor detects the field strength at a frequency of 400 kHz.

In a further embodiment, the input element comprises a color sensor or a plurality of color sensors for detecting a color displayed by the touch-sensitive screen in at least one area of the touch-sensitive screen. In particular, the color sensor is as Light sensor configured, which detects at least a portion of the visible spectrum (ie from about 380 nm to about 780 nm). The color sensor can also be designed as a camera. By detecting a particular color on the touch-sensitive screen and comparing this color with a color or color pattern reproduced by the touch-sensitive screen, for example, a change in position of the input element can be detected. A second color sensor, if only one or no touch surface is temporarily detected by the touch screen, may be used to determine an input position and rotation angle of the input element.

For this purpose, the touch-sensitive screen displays a color pattern or a color gradient. The control and processing unit (see below) can then use the color detected by the color sensor to determine which of the touch surfaces was detected by the touch screen and where the color sensors are located on the screen. The current position and orientation of the input element can then be determined from the positions of the two color sensors and the contact surface.

In a further embodiment, the input element comprises a proximity sensor for detecting a distance between the back-lit screen and the input element. Depending on the version, a range of the proximity sensor can be up to 10 cm. Typically, the proximity sensor uses an infrared beam to check if the screen is approaching the input element. If, for example, the input element is placed on the touch-sensitive screen, the device registers

Proximity sensor, a reflection of the infrared rays through the screen, whereby it is detected that the input element is located on the touch-sensitive screen. Further, the input element may include a memory, such as memory. random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a hard disk, a magnetic storage medium and / or an optical drive. An identification code or identification number may be stored in the memory, e.g. a UUID associated with the input element. The identification code or the identification number can be found in a

Variety of input elements for each of these input elements unique ie, different input elements have different identification codes or identification numbers. After establishing the connection between the first communication unit and the second communication unit, the identification code or the identification number can be transmitted to the control and processing unit. Sensor data and / or sensor signals can be linked to the identification code and / or the identification number of the respective input element.

A program may also be stored in the memory, e.g. a software for processing or processing the data and / or the signals of one or more of the above-mentioned sensors.

The input element may comprise a processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor and / or a digital signal processor designed to

To process, process and / or evaluate signals of the sensors described above (acceleration sensor and / or gyroscope and / or color sensor and / or proximity sensor); and or

- to control one or more or all of the sensors described.

Usually, the input element comprises a housing in which the first communication unit and the acceleration sensor and, if provided, additional sensors described above are arranged. The housing may, for example, be substantially rotationally symmetrical, annular, cuboidal, cube-shaped, disk-shaped, cylindrical or plate-shaped. A diameter of the housing may be at least 5 cm, at least 6 cm or at least 7 cm. Further, a height of the housing may be at least 0.5 cm or at least 2 cm or at least 5 cm and / or at most 10 cm or at most 8 cm or at most 6 cm. In the housing may further be provided a battery or a battery for powering the sensors and the first communication unit. The housing may be made of a molded rubber, the rubber preferably having a Shore hardness of A80. Further, the housing may also have an outer skin made of the aforementioned cast rubber having the Shore hardness of A80. The contact surfaces are arranged, for example, on an underside of the housing. The bottom of the housing is hereby usually designed so that it can be placed on the touch-sensitive screen. The underside of the housing can be protected by a non-conductive protective film which is at most 0.05 mm, preferably at most 0.1 mm, in particular at most 0.2 mm thick, and which is also able to improve the sliding properties of the input element. Depending on the design, a base area of the underside of the input element may be, for example, at least 5 cm ² , at least 10 cm ² , at least 15 cm ² , at least 20 cm ² or at least 25 cm ² . Depending on the dimensions of the base area, more or fewer contact surfaces can be provided. If a coupling with the body of a user (see above) is possible, at least when the input element is placed on the touch-sensitive element, a relatively small contact pattern can be provided, for example, of three contact surfaces on an area of about 25 cm ² . If coupling with the user's body is not possible upon placement of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen, a larger touch pattern may be provided from at least four touch pads on a footprint of about 50 cm ² or greater.

The contact surfaces can be connected to the housing in a material-locking, positive-locking or force-locking manner. The contact surfaces can also be designed as a sticker and glued to the housing of the input element. The contact surfaces may also be disposed on a sheath or sleeve which is attached to the input member or releasably connected to the input member. The sheath or sleeve may e.g.

Rubber, such as silicone rubber, polybutadiene rubber or vulcanized natural rubber, or consist of one of the materials mentioned.

In order to improve the electrical coupling to ground over the body of the user, an electrically conductive coupling element may be provided on the housing, wherein the coupling element is electrically connected to the contact surfaces, for example via metal wires or metal strips.

The coupling element is preferably on the housing of the input arranged that a user when placing the housing on the touch-sensitive screen touches the coupling element. For example, the coupling element is arranged on an upper side of the housing. The coupling element may for example contain a metal or be formed from a metal and / or be formed as a strip or ring. The

Coupling element preferably has a distance of at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm or more to the bottom of the housing. As a result, interference caused by the electrically conductive coupling element in the touch-sensitive screen can be avoided. The coupling element may be provided with a thin insulating layer of at least 0.05 mm, so that the material does not feel "cold" and / or for visual enhancement, the insulating layer should not be thicker than 2 mm in order to be coupled to ground The insulating layer can be, for example, a coating or a film.

In particular, the input element can be designed as a smartphone or even as a tablet PC. The contact surfaces can then be connected as a sticker or on the case or sleeve with the smartphone or tablet PC. Today, many smartphones or tablet PCs already include an acceleration sensor and / or a camera and / or a gyroscope and / or a proximity sensor and / or a communication unit and / or an identification code / identification number and / or a memory and / or a processor An existing system can be subsequently provided with contact surfaces and corresponding software and can be upgraded to a previously described input element for a touch-sensitive screen.

Furthermore, a plurality of input elements may be provided. The touch surfaces of each input element typically form a touch pattern, with each input element typically having a similar touch pattern. Furthermore, each input element can each have a memory in which an identification code or an identification number is assigned, which is assigned to the respective input element. This allows a clear identification of each input element. The sensors mentioned above can have a data transmission rate between 1.6 Hz and 800 Hz, ie measured signals from the sensors can be transmitted to the first communication unit every 641 ms or every 1.25 ms.

In addition, the invention provides a control and processing unit. The control and processing unit may be configured to process or process signals or data from one or more of the above-mentioned sensors. For the processing and / or processing of the signals and / or the data of the above-mentioned sensors, the control and processing unit may comprise a microcontroller, a processor, a microprocessor and / or a digital signal processor.

In this case, a digital signal processor (DSP) can be designed for continuous processing of digital signals, for example digital signals of the above-mentioned sensors. It can further be provided that the control and processing unit is designed to control one or more of the said sensors.

Furthermore, the control and processing unit may comprise one or more memories, such as e.g. random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a hard disk, a magnetic storage medium and / or an optical drive. A program may be stored in the memory, e.g. a software for processing or processing the data and / or the signals of one or more of the above-mentioned sensors.

The control and processing unit comprises a second communication unit for communicating with the above input element or with a plurality of input elements. The second communication unit is preferably designed as a wireless communication unit. In a wireless embodiment, the second communication unit comprises at least one receiving unit for receiving radio signals. Optionally, a transmitting unit for transmitting radio signals may additionally be provided.

Furthermore, the second communication unit comprises, for example, an antenna for Sending and / or receiving of radio signals. The second communication unit may form part of a network or be connected to a network. Possible wireless connections include, for example, WLAN or WPAN, in particular Bluetooth, or other near-field connections.

The first communication unit of the input element and the second communication unit of the control and processing unit can in particular be wirelessly connected to one another, for example via WLAN or WPAN, in particular via a Bluetooth connection or another near-field connection. Other types of wireless connections between the first communication unit and the second communication unit, such as EnOcean, Z-Wave, ZigBee, WiMAX, UMTS / HSDPA, LTE (Long Term Evolution), NanoNetm, UWB (Ultra Wideband) are also possible and known to those skilled in the art.

The control and processing unit may be configured to receive and / or evaluate a signal detected by the acceleration sensor of the input element. Furthermore, the control and processing unit may be configured to recognize based on the signals of the acceleration sensor, a settling of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen and / or a direction of movement and / or a resting of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen and / or a lifting of the input element of the touch-sensitive screen. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation of the signals detected by the acceleration sensor and / or the detection based on the signals of the acceleration sensor can also take place in the input element.

In a development, the control and processing unit is connected to the touch-sensitive screen. Furthermore, it can be designed to receive and / or evaluate signals (touch signals) triggered by the contact surfaces of the input element in the touch-sensitive screen. The control and processing unit may be configured to compare the touch signals with the sensor data / sensor signals, and a position based on the comparison and / or orientation of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen.

By way of example, the control and processing unit may be designed to detect a position and / or orientation of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen on the basis of the signals of the acceleration sensor and the signals triggered by the contact surfaces of the input element in the touch-sensitive screen. The connection of the control and processing unit to the touch screen may also be wireless; but it can also be provided by means of a cable connection, such as a USB cable. It can be provided that the control and processing unit and the touch-sensitive screen are arranged in a single housing. As a result, a particularly compact system can be made available. For example, the touch-sensitive screen and the control and processing unit can be designed as a tablet computer or smartphone.

It can be provided that the control and processing unit is designed to determine a variance of the time measured by the field sensor of the input element electrical field strength. The variance of the signal can be z. B. be calculated over a variety of different values.

In particular, more than 100 values, more than 1000 values or more than 2000 values, in particular 4000 values, are conceivable here.

Typically, the determined variance of the electric field is compared with a predetermined value. If the determined variance is greater than the predetermined value, it can be detected that the input element is arranged on the touch-sensitive screen. The determined variance of the electric field strength on capacitive touch-sensitive screens is more than a thousand times a measured variance without a screen and at a distance of 5 mm between the input element and the touch-sensitive screen about the hundredfold. che. As a result, it can be detected on a special touch-sensitive screen without calibration, whether the input element rests on the touch-sensitive screen. In a development, the control and processing unit is designed to evaluate the signals of the gyroscope of the input element. Furthermore, the control and processing unit is designed to determine a rotation angle of the input element on the basis of the measured signals of the gyroscope.

In a development, the control and processing unit is designed to evaluate and / or receive signals triggered by the contact surfaces of the input element in the touch-sensitive screen; Determining an orientation of the touch surfaces on the touch-sensitive screen based on the signals triggered by the touch surfaces of the input element in the touch-sensitive screen; and calibrating the gyroscope to determine an absolute angle of rotation of the input element relative to a fixed coordinate system of the touch-sensitive screen. Thus, an initial orientation of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen can be detected via the contact surfaces, and based on this detected orientation and the signals measured by the gyroscope, the orientation of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen can then be determined with high accuracy.

In a development, the control and processing unit is designed to receive and / or evaluate a signal measured by the color sensor or sensors of the input element; for comparing the signal with a color signal of the touch-sensitive screen; and for determining a position and / or a rotation angle of the input element based on the comparison. For example, certain colors or a particular color pattern are displayed on the screen, the displayed colors being measured by the color sensor and relayed back to the control and processing unit. By comparing the colors measured by the color sensor and the color signals output by the touch-sensitive screen, it can thus be determined that where the input element is currently on the screen and / or how the rotation angle of the input element is currently.

The control and processing unit can also be designed, depending on a position and / or a rotation angle and / or a

Position change and / or a rotation angle change of the input element to control the touch screen or other devices or perform a specific action. In addition, the invention provides a method for detecting an input element on a touch-sensitive screen, wherein the input element has at least two contact surfaces, which are detectable by the touch-sensitive screen. The method comprises the following steps: detecting an acceleration of the input element by means of an acceleration sensor; Evaluating a signal detected by the acceleration sensor; and detecting, based on the measured acceleration, settling of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen and / or a direction of movement and / or a resting of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen and / or a lifting of the input element of the touch-sensitive screen.

Furthermore, the method may comprise the following steps: establishing a radio connection between the first communication unit of the input element and the second communication unit of the control and processing unit;

Determining an identity of the input element by transmitting the stored in the memory of the input element identification code or identification number to the control and processing unit.

The method may include the following step: detecting a position and / or orientation of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen, if at the same time It is probably detected by the touch-sensitive screen as well as by the further sensors that the input element is placed on the touch-sensitive screen and / or the input element is located on the touch-sensitive screen.

The simultaneous detection in this case includes a time difference of at most 50 ms or at most 30 ms or at most 20 ms between the detections. In particular, the method may comprise one or more steps which have been described above in the explanation of the input element and / or the control and processing unit. The method may e.g. implemented as code, for example in the form of a computer program on a computer-readable medium, such as a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a non-volatile memory readable by a computer. The non-volatile memory includes a computer program configured to run on a programmable hardware component:

- evaluating a detected by an above-described acceleration sensor of an input element described above signal; Detect based on the measured acceleration

depositing the input element on the touch-sensitive screen and / or

a direction of movement and / or a resting of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen and / or a lifting of the input element of the touch-sensitive screen.

The computer program may be stored in the memory of the input element and / or in the memory of the control and processing unit. The computer program may be executed by a programmable hardware component, such as a processor, a CPU, GPU, or a multi-processor system. Here, the programmable hardware be provided in the input element and / or the control and processing unit.

It should be emphasized at this point that features which have been mentioned only in relation to the input element or the control and processing unit can also be claimed for the said method and / or said non-volatile memory and vice versa.

It should also be emphasized at this point that features, e.g. with regard to an evaluation of data and / or signals of the above-mentioned sensors, which were mentioned only in relation to the control and processing unit, can also be claimed for the input element and vice versa.

The invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. I n the figures shows

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an input element;

FIG. 2 shows four views of a lower side of an input element; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system including an input element, a touch-sensitive screen, and a control and processing unit; FIG.

4 is a block diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of a shell of an input member; and

Fig. 6 is a view of a bottom of an annular input member; and

Fig. 7 shows a schematic arrangement of electronic components on a printed circuit board.

In the figures are recurrent features with the same reference:

Mistake. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an input element 1. The input element 1 is designed as an input element 1 for a touch-sensitive screen 20. The input element 1 comprises a housing 8, which comprises a cylindrical projection 6 and a conical part 7, which tapers upwards and consists essentially of a non-conductive rubber. The housing 8 has a bottom 2 and a top 3. For power supply, the input element 1 has a battery. The projection 6 is designed as an aluminum ring and has a distance from the bottom 2 of the housing 8 of at least 2 mm. The projection 6 may be provided with an insulating coating of about 0.1 mm.

The input element 1 further comprises a communication unit with an antenna 4 for communicating with a control and processing unit 30 described below. At the bottom 2, the input element 1 comprises a plurality of touch surfaces 5 detectable by the touch screen 20.

FIG. 2 shows four exemplary embodiments of undersides 2 of the input element 1 shown in FIG. The four different embodiments of the underside 2 of the input element 1 differ only in the number and the arrangement of the contact surfaces 5. In FIG. 2, input elements 1 with two contact surfaces 5, with three contact surfaces 5, with four contact surfaces 5 and with five contact surfaces 5 are shown. The contact surfaces 5 of each input element 1 each form a contact pattern on the underside 2 of the input element 1, wherein the contact pattern in the embodiments of the input element 1 with three, four or five contact surfaces 5 no symmetry or a C ₃ - has symmetry, that has the two-dimensional contact pattern no rotational symmetry.

In the embodiments shown, the contact surfaces 5 are circular in shape; Alternatively, the contact surfaces 5 can also be designed oval or elliptical. It is also conceivable that the contact surfaces 5 of each individual input element differ in shape. The input element 1 can therefore have a round contact surface, an oval contact surface and have an elliptical contact surface 5. In the embodiment shown, the contact surfaces 5 have a diameter of about 12 mm. The focal points of the contact surfaces 5 each have a minimum distance of 24 mm. Furthermore, the contact surfaces 5 are made of an electrically conductive rubber. The contact surfaces 5 are electrically conductively connected to each other by means of non-illustrated copper strips or wires. When the input element 1 is resting on the touch-sensitive screen 20, the copper strips or wires are from the touch-sensitive screen 20

spaced, the copper strips or wires do not touch the touch-sensitive screen 20 so. Further, the contact surfaces 5 by means of non-illustrated copper wires with the cylindrical projection 6 are electrically connected.

Furthermore, the input element 1 has a (volatile and / or nonvolatile) memory 15. In the memory 15, an identification code associated with the specific input element 1 is stored. The identification code can, for. B. be a UUID. By means of the identification code, when a plurality of input elements 1 are lying on the touch-sensitive screen 20, each input element 1 can be uniquely identified by the control and processing unit 30. Optionally, the input element 1 may comprise a processor (not shown) or a microcontroller which evaluates the signals or data of the individual sensors 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

If a plurality of input elements 1 are used simultaneously, the contact surfaces 5 are preferably carried out in the same way. In particular, the input elements 1 have the same contact pattern in this case. To distinguish the individual input elements 1, the identification codes or identification numbers of the respective input elements 1 can then be used.

The input element of Figure 1 comprises a plurality of different sensors 10 to 14. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, an acceleration sensor 10, a gyroscope 11, a field sensor 12, a color sensor 13, and a proximity sensor 14 are shown. It is also possible to use several color sensors be provided ren 13, for example, two color sensors. Although only one input element 1 of FIG. 2 is shown with sensors 12, 13, and 14, the respective other input elements 1 of FIG. 2 can also be equipped with these sensors 12, 13, 14. The field sensor 12, the color sensor or sensors 13 and the proximity sensor are arranged on the underside 2 of the housing 8 of the input element 1, cf. Fig. 2. In order to simplify a measurement of the sensors 12, 13, and 14, one or more openings may be provided on the underside 2 of the housing 8. As indicated in FIG. 1, the acceleration sensor 10 and the gyroscope 11 can be arranged further up in the housing 8.

The operation of the individual sensors 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 will be described below. Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of a shell 16 of a not shown

Input element. The input element in this embodiment also comprises a smartphone which stores an acceleration sensor, a camera, a gyroscope, a proximity sensor, a communication unit, an identification code / identification number, a processor for evaluating said sensors and a memory in which an evaluation and processing software is stored is, has.

The shell 16 shown in FIG. 5 is essentially made of a soft, elastic material and can be attached to the smartphone in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner. In the assembled state forms the

Sheath 16 the bottom of the input element. The shell 16 has a recess 17 so that the camera and / or the proximity sensor of the smartphone are not blocked by the shell 16. If the shell 16 contains a transparent material, the recess 17 can be dispensed with. In the embodiment shown, the shell 16 has four contact surfaces 5, which are electrically connected to each other. For the properties of the contact surfaces 5, reference is made to the contact surfaces 5 shown in FIG. 2. For a visually higher-quality appearance, the shell may have a thin insulating cover layer of at most 0.5 mm, which on the one hand covers the contact surfaces 5, on the other hand, a detection ensures the contact surfaces 5 on the touch-sensitive screen 20.

6 shows a bottom view of an input element 19 with an annular housing 18. The input element 1 of Figure 6 differs from the input elements shown in Figures 1 and 2 only in that the housing 18 of the input member 19 is annular. An outer diameter of the annular housing 18 may be e.g. at least 90 mm, at least 110 mm, in particular at least 130 mm, particularly preferably at least 150 mm. Although the input element 19 shown has three contact surfaces 5, as shown in Fig. 2, two, four, five or more contact surfaces 5 may be provided. The contact surfaces 5 preferably have internal angles of about 63 °, 73 ° and 44 °. The housing 18 may have on an upper side a conductive material, such as the annular projection in FIG. 1, which is electrically conductively connected to the contact surfaces 5 and which has a minimum distance of 2 mm from a bottom 2 of the housing 19. Between the bottom 2 and the conductive material, the housing is made of a non-conductive rubber having a Shore hardness of A80.

In further embodiments, the housing of the input element 1 or the input element 19 may be e.g. also cuboid, as a disk or as a plate, for example, with a height of 1 cm, be formed. FIG. 3 shows two perspective views of a system 100, wherein FIG

System comprises the input element 1 described in Figures 1 and 2 and further comprises a touch-sensitive screen 20 and a control and processing unit 30. The touch-sensitive screen 20 is connected by means of a cable 31 to the control and processing unit 30, wherein the cable is preferably designed as a USB cable. The touch-sensitive screen 20 is also referred to as a touchscreen and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is a capacitive touch-sensitive screen. In other embodiments, it is also possible to design the touch-sensitive screen 20 as an optical, inductive or resistive touch-sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen 20 may, for. B. as a table plate act; in this case, table legs can be mounted on the touch screen 20.

Further, the touch-sensitive screen 20 is configured to simultaneously detect a plurality of touches (multi-touch display). The

Touching can be effected both by a human finger and by the contact surfaces 5 of the input element 1 shown above. Further, touch surfaces 5 of a plurality of input elements 1 can be simultaneously detected by the touch-sensitive screen 20.

The control and processing unit 30 comprises a second communication unit for communicating with the first communication unit 4 of the input element 1. The control and processing unit 30 is configured in particular for receiving and evaluating the signals or data detected by the sensors 10 to 14 of the input element 1. Alternatively or additionally, the input element 1 can also be designed to evaluate the data or the signals of the sensors 10 to 14 by means of the above-mentioned processor. In this case, the control and processing unit 30, which is evaluated by the processor of the input element 1, is configured

Receive data from the sensors 10 to 14.

For the processing and / or processing and / or evaluation of the signals and / or the data of the above-mentioned sensors 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, the control and processing unit 30 has e.g. a microcontroller, a processor, a microprocessor and / or a digital signal processor.

The control and processing unit 30 is further configured to receive and evaluate signals (touch signals) triggered by the touch surfaces 5 of the input element 1 in the touch-sensitive screen 20. Further, the control and processing unit 30 is configured to compare touch signals measured by the touch-sensitive screen 20 with the signals or data of the sensors 10 to 14, and by the comparison, a position, a position change, a rotation angle and a rotation angle change of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 to determine. Depending on the position and / or the angle of rotation and / or the position change and / or the rotation angle change of the input element 1, the control and processing unit 30 can control the touch-sensitive screen 20 or another device not shown, or perform a specific action.

The effect of the individual sensors 10 to 14 will be described below.

The acceleration sensor 10 is designed to detect a settling of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20. The settling movement of the input element 1 is indicated in FIG. 3 by means of the arrow 21. When setting up, a characteristic short-term acceleration occurs in the direction of the upper side 3 of the input element 1. By evaluating the acceleration, this characteristic acceleration at landing can be recognized, and it can be determined that the input element 1 has been placed on the touch-sensitive screen 20. Thereafter, the touch-sensitive screen 20 detects that the touch surfaces 5 of the input element 1 have been placed on the screen 20.

The specific for the respective input element identification code UUID is transmitted via the first communication unit 4 to the second communication unit of the control and processing unit 30. The signals of the acceleration sensor 10 and an approximately simultaneous appearance of the contact surfaces 5 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 and the transmitted via radio connection identification code of the input element 1 allow a unique identification of the input element. 1

Moreover, based on the signals of the acceleration sensor 10 and the signals triggered by the contact surfaces 5 of the input element 1 in the touch-sensitive screen 20, a position and / or orientation of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 can be recognized without any doubt. The acceleration sensor 10 is further configured to detect an acceleration of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20. As described above, it may happen that the touch-sensitive screen 20 filters out one or more contact surfaces 5 of the input element 1 because they are recognized as errors. By detecting the acceleration of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20, a direction change of the input element 1 can be measured and / or predicted, and by linking the data of the acceleration sensor 10 with the signals triggered by the contact surfaces 5 of the input element 1 in the touch-sensitive screen the contact surfaces 5 can be assigned to the respective input element 1 again.

Furthermore, the acceleration sensor 10 can be designed to detect a lifting of the input element 1 from the touch-sensitive screen 20. Also, when lifting off, a characteristic short-term acceleration occurs in the direction of the upper side 2 of the input element 1. By evaluating this signal can thus be recognized that the input element 1 is no longer on the touch-sensitive screen 20.

In one embodiment, the input element 1 is designed to establish a connection with the control and processing unit of the control and processing unit 30 when the acceleration sensor detects an acceleration different from the gravitational acceleration.

Typically, the acceleration sensor 10 is configured to detect acceleration with a timing accuracy of at least 10 milliseconds. So accelerations should be able to be distinguished from each other if they occur at a time interval of 10 milliseconds or more. In this case, it can be reliably detected when two input elements 1 are placed on the touch-sensitive screen 20 at almost the same time. Thus "quasi-simultaneous" means that the settling of the two input elements has a time difference of at most 10 ms or at most 20 ms or at most 50 ms. With the aid of the acceleration sensor 10, a speed decrease or an increase in the speed of the input element 1 in different directions can thus be detected. Also, the direction in which the input element 1 is accelerated, detects the acceleration sensor 10 by determining where the gravitational force acts on the input element 1. Here, a displacement of forces is typically measured along three axes, the x-axis (left / right), the y-axis (top / bottom), and the z-axis (front / back). For this purpose, the acceleration sensor 10 uses a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). In the middle of the usually about 3 x 3 mm acceleration sensor 10 are three microns wide silicon rods as springs. When the input member 1 is moved or rotated, the three rods move by the inertia of their own mass, and a position opposite to the edge-fixed electrodes changes. Software then calculates a magnitude of the acceleration from the changing electrical capacity. Other embodiments of the acceleration sensor known to the person skilled in the art are also possible.

The gyroscope 11 measures a rotational speed and thus rotational movements of the input element 1. With the acceleration sensor 10 together, the change in movement of the input element 1 can be detected. The gyroscope 11 may be calibrated after placement of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen 20. As indicated above, the control and processing unit 30 is configured to evaluate and / or receive signals that are triggered by the touch surfaces of the input element in the touch-sensitive screen. By this evaluation, an orientation of the contact surfaces 5 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 can be determined. By means of this determination of the orientation of the contact surfaces 5 and thus of the input element 1, the gyroscope 11 can be calibrated. In particular, the control and processing unit 30 may be designed to evaluate signals of the gyroscope 11 of the input element 1 and to determine a rotation angle of the input element 1 on the basis of the measured signals of the gyroscope 11.

The field sensor 12 measures an electric field intensity in each of the contact surfaces 5. The field sensor 12 includes an antenna, a signal amplifier and an Anaiog Digitai converter that converts the electric field strength into digital values. The contact surfaces 5 serve as antennas for the field sensor 12. The field sensor 12 detects the field strength, for example, with a measurement frequency of about 400 kHz. Thereafter, a variance of the signal is calculated over approximately 4000 values. Deviating values are also possible.

In the following, let n be the number of values and f the nth value of the field strength. Then mean μ and variance v are calculated according to the usual formulas:

1 "i"

Specifically, e.g. for the determination of a variance value n = 4096. Here the variance can be determined every 4096 points. The field strength is measured at a frequency of 400kHz (every 0.0025ms). This gives values of the variance with a frequency of 100Hz (every 10ms). Alternatively, a running window for determining the variance is, for example, 4096

Points.

With the field sensor 12, an electric field strength of the touch-sensitive screen 20 and / or a change in the electric field strength is measured. For example, the following relative values for the variance of the electric field strength are measured: over 1000 on the touch-sensitive screen 20; about 100 at a distance of 1 mm to about 5 mm between the input element 1 and the screen 20; and 0 at a distance of 10 mm or more between the input element 1 and the screen 20.

By measuring the variance of the electric field strength can be detected without calibration on a special touch-sensitive screen 20, whether the input element 1 is on the touch-sensitive screen 20 or not. The color sensor 13 is arranged on the underside 2 of the input element 1. The color sensor 13 is designed as a camera in the embodiment shown. By means of the color sensor 13, it can be detected which color is displayed just below the color sensor 13 on the touch-sensitive screen 20. For example, a specific color pattern can be displayed on the touch-sensitive screen 20 at least for a short time. By comparing the data obtained by the color sensor 13 with a color signal output by the touch-sensitive screen 20, it can be determined where the input element 1 is located on the touch-sensitive screen 20. In addition, a rotation angle or orientation of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 can thereby be determined. If several input elements 1 are placed simultaneously on the touch-sensitive screen 20, an identity of the input elements 1 can be determined unambiguously on the basis of the color and / or brightness comparison. Further, by means of the color sensor 13, a change in position of the input element 1 can be measured.

The proximity sensor 14 is likewise arranged on the underside 2 of the input element 1. With the proximity sensor 14 can also be detected whether and when the input element 1 has been placed on the touch-sensitive screen 20. For this purpose, the proximity sensor 14 uses an infrared beam to check whether the input element 1 is approaching the touch-sensitive screen 20.

If a sensor 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 provides insufficient information about a current position and / or a current rotation angle of the input element 1 or not all contact surfaces are detected by the touch-sensitive screen, this information can be completed by using the data of the other sensors become.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art that signals or data of each of the individual sensors 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 can be evaluated by, for example, comparing measured signals or data with predetermined reference values or predetermined threshold values. The signals of the respective sensors 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 can also be compared with previously measured signals. be. Under certain circumstances, the predetermined reference values or the predetermined threshold values may also be adapted adaptively.

The invention also proposes a method for recognizing the previously described input element 1 on the above-described touch-sensitive screen 20. Individual steps of the method are indicated in FIG. 4.

The method comprises the following steps:

Establishing a radio connection between the first communication unit of the input element 1 and the second communication unit of the control and processing unit 2 (S100);

Determining an identity of the input element 1 by transmitting the identification code stored in the memory 15 of the input element 1 to the control and processing unit 30;

Detecting an acceleration of the input element 1 by means of an acceleration sensor 10 (S200);

Transmitting the sensor signals of the acceleration sensor 10 to the control and processing unit 2 (S300);

- Evaluating the detected by the acceleration sensor 10 signals (S400);

Receiving and evaluating signals (touch signals) triggered by the touch surfaces 5 of the input element 1 in the touch-sensitive screen 20 by the control and evaluation unit 30 (S500);

Comparing the touch signals with the evaluated signals of the acceleration sensor 10 (S600);

Determining a position, a position change, a rotation angle and / or a rotation angle change of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 by comparing the touch signals with the evaluated signals of the acceleration sensor 10 (S700). Depending on the speed of the radio connection in relation to the speed of detection of the touch-sensitive screen 20, step S500 may also be performed before step S200. Alternatively or in addition to the method described above, the following steps can also be carried out:

Detecting an acceleration of the input element 1 by means of an acceleration sensor 10;

Evaluating the signal of the acceleration sensor 10 by a processor of the input element 1;

Detecting an acceleration of the input element 1 different from the gravitational acceleration;

Establishing a radio connection between the first communication unit of the input element 1 and the second communication unit of the control and processing unit 30;

Receiving and evaluating by the control and evaluation unit 30 signals (touch signals) triggered by the contact surfaces 5 of the input element 1 in the touch-sensitive screen 20;

Comparing the touch signals with the evaluated signals of the acceleration sensor 10;

Determining a position, a position change, a rotation angle and / or a rotation angle change of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 by comparing the touch signals with the evaluated signals of the acceleration sensor 10.

The two mentioned methods can comprise the following further steps:

Detecting sensor signals by the gyroscope 11, the field sensor 12, the color sensor 13 or the color sensors and the proximity sensor 14; Transmitting the sensor signals of the gyroscope 11, the field sensor 12, the color sensor 13 or the color sensors and the proximity sensor 14 to the control and processing unit 30;

- Evaluating the detected by the sensors 11-14 sensor signals

by the control and processing unit 30;

Comparing the touch signals with the evaluated sensor signals of the sensors 11-14;

Determining a position, a position change, a rotation angle and / or a rotation angle change of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20 by comparing the touch signals with the evaluated sensor signals of the sensors 11-14.

The methods mentioned can furthermore comprise the following steps:

Detecting on the basis of the measured acceleration and / or the measured field strength and / or a color pattern measured by the color sensor and / or the distance between the input element 1 and the touch-sensitive screen 20 of a dropping of the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive screen 20;

- A lifting of the input element 1 of the touch-sensitive screen 20th

The method may further include the following step:

Recognizing a position and / or orientation of the input element on the touch-sensitive screen, when it is simultaneously detected by both the touch-sensitive screen 20 and the acceleration sensor 10 and / or the other sensors 11-14 that the input element 1 on the touch-sensitive sensitive screen 20 settles and / or the input element 1 is located on the touch-sensitive screen 20.

The simultaneous detection in this case includes a time difference of at most 50 ms or at most 30 ms or at most 20 ms between the detections.

The control and processing unit 30 then controls, depending on a position and / or a rotation angle and / or a rotation angle change of the input element 1, the touch-sensitive screen 20 or another device or performs a specific action.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a computer program that is designed to carry out the above-mentioned method. The computer program may be in the memory of the input element 1 or in the memory of the control and

Processing unit 30 may be stored.

Features which have been mentioned only in connection with the method can be combined with features which are combined only with the input element 1 and / or the touch-sensitive screen 20 and / or the control and processing unit 30 and vice versa.

A possible arrangement of electronic switching elements of the input element will be explained with reference to FIG. On a printed circuit board (PCB) designed as PCB 800 are shown on the

Front a variety of electronic components arranged.

On the front, a CPU 802 is arranged, which realizes the evaluation of the sensors. The sensors in this case comprise one (or more) gyroscopes 804, an acceleration sensor 806, a field sensor with corresponding electronics 808 and color sensors, which are arranged on the rear side of the board, not shown.

Furthermore, the board includes a power supply and battery charging electronics 810, which among other things ensures the power supply of the individual electronic components by means of the accumulator 812. In order to forward the preprocessed signals to an evaluation unit, a Bluetooth antenna 814 with corresponding signal adaptation electronics is also provided, which is addressed via the CPU 802. Furthermore, an adapter 816 is present, via which the switching arrangement can be recorded with updated firmware.

Claims

claims

1. input element (1) for a touch-sensitive screen

(20), comprising

- a first communication unit (4) for communicating with a control and processing unit (30); at least two contact surfaces (5) detectable by the touch-sensitive screen (20); and an acceleration sensor (10) for detecting an acceleration of the input member (1).

2. input element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration sensor (10) is designed for detecting

- Lowering of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or an acceleration of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or a lifting of the input element (1) of the touch-sensitive screen (20).

3. input element (1) according to claim 2, formed for, when an acceleration different from the acceleration of the acceleration of the input element (1) by the acceleration sensor (10) has been detected,

- Establishing a connection with the control and processing unit (30) by means of the first communication unit (4).

4. input element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acceleration sensor (10) is formed for detecting an acceleration with an accuracy of at least 0.2 g, preferably at least 0.1 g, more preferably at least 0.05 g and / or a transmission rate of at least 10 Hz, preferably at least 20 Hz, more preferably at least 50 Hz, in particular at least 100 Hz.

Input element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising

a gyroscope (11) for detecting a rotational movement of the input element (1); and / or a field sensor (12) for detecting an electric field strength of the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or for measuring a change in the electric field strength of the touch-sensitive screen (20); and / or a color sensor (13) or a plurality of color sensors (13) for detecting a color displayed by the touch-sensitive screen (20) in at least a portion of the touch-sensitive screen (20); and / or a proximity sensor (14) for detecting a distance between the touch-sensitive screen (20) and the input element (1).

Input element (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the field sensor (12) is adapted to detect an electric field strength in at least one of the contact surfaces (5).

A plurality of input elements (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact surfaces (5) of each input element (1) form a pattern and each input element (1) has a similar pattern, each input element (1) comprising a memory (15 ) in which an identification code or an identification number associated with the respective input element (1) is stored. A control and processing unit (30) comprising a second communication unit for communicating with an input element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or a plurality of input elements according to claim 7, wherein the control and processing unit (30) is provided with a touch-sensitive screen (30). 20) and is preferably configured to receive and / or evaluate signals triggered by the contact surfaces (5) of the input element (1) in the touch-sensitive screen (20).

Control and processing unit (30) according to claim 8, designed for

- evaluating and / or receiving a signal detected by the acceleration sensor (10) of the input element (1); and detection based on the signals of the acceleration sensor (10) o of a settling of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or o a direction of movement and / or a resting of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or o a lifting of the input element (1) from the touch-sensitive screen (20).

Control and processing unit (30) according to one of claims 8 or 9, designed for

Detecting a position and / or orientation of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) from the signals of the acceleration sensor (10) and the signals triggered by the contact surfaces (5) of the input element (1) in the touch-sensitive screen (20). Control and processing unit (30) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it is adapted to determine a variance of the field sensor (12) of the input element (1) according to claim 3 temporally measured electric field strength, comparing the determined variance of the electric field with a predetermined value, and if the determined variance is greater than the predetermined value,

Detecting that the input element (1) is arranged on a touch-sensitive screen (20).

Control and processing unit (30) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it is designed to evaluate signals of the gyroscope (11) of the input element (1) according to claim 3 and a rotation angle of the input element (1) based on the measured gyroscope signals to determine.

Control and processing unit (30) according to claim 12, characterized in that it is designed for

- evaluating and / or receiving signals triggered by the contact surfaces (5) of the input element (1) in the touch-sensitive screen (20); Determining an orientation of the touch surfaces (5) on the touch screen (20) based on the signals triggered by the touch surfaces (5) of the input element (1) in the touch screen (20); and calibrating the gyroscope (11) to determine an absolute

Angle of rotation of the input element (1) relative to a fixed coordinate system of the touch-sensitive screen (20).

Control and processing unit (30) according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that it is designed for Receiving and / or evaluating the signals measured by the one or more color sensors (13) according to claim 5; Comparing the signal with a color signal of the touch-sensitive screen (20); Determining a position and / or a rotation angle of the input element (1) based on the comparison.

Control and processing unit (30) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that it is formed, depending on a position and / or a rotation angle and / or a change in position and / or a rotation angle of the input element (1) the touch-sensitive screen (20) to control or perform a specific action.

Method for detecting an input element (1) on a touch-sensitive screen, wherein the input element (1) has at least two contact surfaces (5) detectable by the touch-sensitive screen (20), comprising the steps:

- detecting an acceleration of the input element (1) by means of an acceleration sensor (10); Evaluating a detected by the acceleration sensor (10)

signal; Recognizing based on the measured acceleration o of a deposition of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or o a direction of movement and / or a resting of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or o a lifting of the input element (1) from the touch-sensitive screen (20).

A non-volatile memory readable by a computer, comprising a computer program configured to operate on a programmable hardware component.

- Evaluating a signal detected by an acceleration sensor (10) of an input element (1) according to any one of claims 1-6; Recognizing based on the measured acceleration o of a settling of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or o a direction of movement and / or resting of the input element (1) on the touch-sensitive screen (20) and / or o of a lifting of the Input element (1) from the touch-sensitive screen (20).