Universal stylus from Microsoft works with camera registration

Microsoft is working on a stylus that can be used on any screen type. For this, the stylus has a camera at the end that determines its position on the screen. The project is still in an early phase.

According to the creators, who are employed by Microsoft, is becoming uses the camera on the stylus to record the movement across the screen. In addition, software has been developed so that the stylus can determine where the individual pixels are located on the screen. The software causes the screen to generate a pattern based on the brightness of blue sub-pixels. Since this brightness corresponds to position on the screen, the camera on the pen can measure its own position.

The software also connects the pen to the mobile device, establishing a wireless connection. This way the mobile device knows where the digital ink should appear on the screen. The disadvantage is that users who want to use the stylus must first install software that must be compatible with the device on which the digital pen is used.

It is still uncertain whether the product will actually come on the market, because an internal review has yet to follow. A new sensor has to be developed in order to build the stylus concept and Microsoft has not yet made a decision about starting production. As a result, it will be decided at a later stage whether the stylus will be promoted to a consumer product.

Despite the arrival of touchscreens, several manufacturers have started using stylus control again. HTC came up with the Flyer tablet that has stylus support, while Samsung includes a stylus with its Galaxy Note.