Panel accepts simultaneous inputs from multiple styluses

13th April 2015

Barney Scott

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Sharp has developed a touch-panel system that allows multiple handwriting pens (styluses) to be used simultaneously to input text and lines in varying colours and thicknesses. Sharp aims to quickly commercialise the system, which represents a handwriting input method for interactive whiteboards. Handwritten input from a particular stylus can be selected and deleted as desired.

In December 2012, Sharp developed a touch-panel system that employs a unique parallel drive method for detecting and processing multi-point inputs. The system enables multi-touch operations in which up to 50 multi-point inputs can be recognised simultaneously.

Sharp has since modified the controller IC software for the touch-panel system, while also developing an active stylus that incorporates a circuit that communicates with the controller IC. These developments enable the system to identify each individual stylus on the touch panel.

Through this system, it has become possible to use multiple styluses to achieve simultaneous input of handwritten text and lines with varying colours and thicknesses. Sharp proposes a handwriting system that will be suitable for use with interactive whiteboards installed in classrooms where the teacher and students fill in questions and answers. The system will be equally useful in business meetings and negotiations.

A paper on this recently developed technology was accepted for inclusion in the ISSCC 2015 International Conference on Semiconductor Technologies, which was held in San Francisco in February 2015. Sharp held a presentation at the conference.