Misc SonarPen DIY

Imancol · Sep 27, 2021

Since ColorsLive has released this tool for the Nintendo Switch, I am curious how their Stylus called SonarPen work. These Stylus are connected by the audio jack and in a connected earphone it emits a submerge that acts as a kind of vibration that detects the pressure with which it is made on the screen.

I have the theory that if it is less than the vibration it generates with the frequency it emits, it will detect that a pressure is being exerted on the screen and it will draw on the screen accompanied by some object that simulates touching the touch of the Nintendo Switch.

Could you make a homemade Sensor or is it something very sophisticated?

Upgrade:

In this video you can see the components you are using.

Searching the internet, the main components are:
Male audio jack with 4-pin cable.
board for button and microphone (you can use the one for a hands-free)
Pressure Sensor (Fsr 402)

You can get all of these components (excluding any recyclable frame styling) for less than $ 10 or $ 20, compared to Colorful's SensorPen over $ 40.

I would like to continue using this thread for the construction of a Homemade SonarPen.

Anderxale · Sep 27, 2021

I doubt it's any different from any stylus that needs a ground to simulate a human grounding by touch.

Stylus that require ground connect the tip of the pen to the device chassis. This is also the negative signal in the headphones.

Stylus just focuses the grounding simulate touch to a point.

So basically any headphones cable will work, touching the negative wire to the screen.

They advertise pressure sensitivity, could be a built in potentiometer hooked to the tip changing the grounding negative voltage?

Blaze163 · Sep 27, 2021

I have this game and can confirm the pen is pretty great. Responds well to various levels of pressure, it's accurate as long as the touch screen is clean. I have no idea how it works, but it does. Game's a little lacking in features but with a touch of imagination you can make some good stuff. Well, everyone else can anyway. In my case you can make out I was trying to paint a cat, that's about it though. Nobody's gonna be hanging that on the wall any time soon.

Anderxale · Sep 27, 2021

Nevermind, is supposedly sonar. A speaker hooked to the tip is feeding a mic without interruption means no pressure. The more the audio from the speaker is dampened, the less audio picked up from the mic, the more pressure the app assumes.

This isn't recreatable at home without a precise ohm speaker and mic.

Imancol · Sep 27, 2021

Anderxale said:
Nevermind, is supposedly sonar. A speaker hooked to the tip is feeding a mic without interruption means no pressure. The more the audio from the speaker is dampened, the less audio picked up from the mic, the more pressure the app assumes.

This isn't recreatable at home without a precise ohm speaker and mic.

Wait, but now that I remember, Nintendo Switch does not support microphone or does not have that function built into the Jack. Although the SonarPen shows that it has 4 connectors (Audio L, R and Mic or function button)

Imancol · Sep 27, 2021

Blaze163 said:
I have this game and can confirm the pen is pretty great. Responds well to various levels of pressure, it's accurate as long as the touch screen is clean. I have no idea how it works, but it does. Game's a little lacking in features but with a touch of imagination you can make some good stuff. Well, everyone else can anyway. In my case you can make out I was trying to paint a cat, that's about it though. Nobody's gonna be hanging that on the wall any time soon.

Would you dare to take photos of the internal components? I'd like to see what sound sensor you use for pressure.

Imancol · Sep 28, 2021

Can a moderator help me change the title to "SonarPen DIY"?

6adget · Sep 28, 2021

I wish i could try this before buying the pen. although it's not expensive at all. My pen for my bosto kingtee took a shit today. its $100 for a new one. I know this can't get close to being a replacement, but it would be nice to be able to kick back on the couch and get some of my rough sketches out of the way while drinking my coffee in the mornings. especially if we could get krita ported to the switch. one can always dream, right? has anyone tried this pen and colors yet? is it any good? can u export your work in a layer friendly format?

The Real Jdbye · Sep 28, 2021

Ghost92 said:
Wait, but now that I remember, Nintendo Switch does not support microphone or does not have that function built into the Jack. Although the SonarPen shows that it has 4 connectors (Audio L, R and Mic or function button)

It does, Fortnite uses it. Nintendo just chose not to allow voice chat in anything else for whatever reason.

ciaomao · Sep 28, 2021

I have to test that. Normally, the easiest way is to detect a "pressure" on a PCAP if you evaluate the signal width. This often works by firmware and does not require additional mechanics. For example, I am working here with controllers that can distinguish 8 bits. I'm curious to what extent this pen works better!

hippy dave · Sep 28, 2021

Ghost92 said:
You can get all of these components (excluding any recyclable frame styling) for less than $ 10 or $ 20, compared to Colorful's SensorPen over $ 40.

FWIW it looks more like 30 USD if you buy the pen on its own without the software. DIY is cool tho.

Imancol · Sep 28, 2021

IbisPaint supports SonapPen, so you can test it there. I tried an electric foot that I had on hand and it seems that it works. But a pressure sensor is recommended. It could be recycled from old PS2 and Original Xbox controllers. (Rubber and flex)

Imancol · Sep 28, 2021

capacitive tip
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLhsf50

pressure sensor
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPzU6GS

I will buy these components and make a homemade Sensorpen. I could use a concealer as a mold
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLVAVZg

Anderxale · Sep 28, 2021

Ghost92 said:
capacitive tip
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLhsf50

pressure sensor
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPzU6GS

I will buy these components and make a homemade Sensorpen. I could use a concealer as a mold
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLVAVZg

Nice, I'm excited to learn if it works or not and what connections you need to use on the 4pin 1/8 in jack.

Has anyone tried if a simple light resister between L-R audio channels and Mic channel work (for a constant "pressure" simulation)? I'm mean if you can figure out the pins before investing in the parts...

I'll try it on my V1 of I can get a copy of the game.

CeeDee · Sep 28, 2021

I really, really can't tell if this is more "hobby project" or "I'm too cheap to buy the real one" and I just find that hilarious. Best of luck, guys.

hippy dave · Sep 28, 2021

CeeDee said:
I really, really can't tell if this is more "hobby project" or "I'm too cheap to buy the real one" and I just find that hilarious. Best of luck, guys.

Imancol · Sep 28, 2021

CeeDee said:
I really, really can't tell if this is more "hobby project" or "I'm too cheap to buy the real one" and I just find that hilarious. Best of luck, guys.

I find your comment too inappropriate. You are a clear example of the culture of cancellation. Think what you want for me, but if you don't have anything good to say, look for other topics of your interest.

CeeDee · Sep 28, 2021

I-

...what?

Imancol · Sep 28, 2021

Anderxale said:
Nice, I'm excited to learn if it works or not and what connections you need to use on the 4pin 1/8 in jack.

Has anyone tried if a simple light resister between L-R audio channels and Mic channel work (for a constant "pressure" simulation)? I'm mean if you can figure out the pins before investing in the parts...

I'll try it on my V1 of I can get a copy of the game.

Use a test piezoelectric. A headphone pin and microphone pin are connected.

Anderxale · Sep 29, 2021

Ghost92 said:
Use a test piezoelectric. A headphone pin and microphone pin are connected.

Definitely, or a potentiometer, with a gear and rubber or a spring.

You beat me to it hahaha! I'm looking for one of my crappy headphones with a mic on it for a 4 pin headphones so that I could test a volume nob. My switch is ready though.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using Tapatalk

Misc SonarPen DIY

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