Pressure Stylus Patents (Class 178/19.04)
  • Patent number: 11815968
    Abstract: A stylus for a touchscreen may comprise a barrel extending in a longitudinal direction, the barrel comprising a first end comprising an opening and a second end, the first end and the second end being, in the longitudinal direction, opposite to one another, and a first part and a second part, the first part including the first end and the second part including the second end, a first electronic tip received at least in part in the barrel and configured to have at least an in-use configuration in which the first electronic tip protrudes from the first part of the barrel through the opening, and an energy harvesting device comprising at least two of an energy harvesting element, a transducer, or an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: SOCIETE BIC, BIC Violex Single Member S.A.
    Inventors: Franck Rolion, Loïc Folgoas, Etienne Roudaut, Ludovic Fagu, Georgios Georgakis
  • Patent number: 11775090
    Abstract: A position indicator includes a pen-shaped body; control circuitry housed in the pen-shaped body and configured to generate position detection signals and generate additional information about the position indicator; a first receiver; a second receiver different from the first receiver; a first transmitter provided near a distal end of the pen-shaped body and configured to transmit the position detection signals to a sensor of a position detection system; and a second transmitter, which is different from the first transmitter and configured to transmit wireless signals to the position detection system. The control circuitry, in response to a control signal from the position detection system received by the first receiver or the second receiver, controls transmission of the position detection signals and transmission of the additional information via a transmitter selected from the first transmitter and the second transmitter, to the position detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11237652
    Abstract: An electronic pen includes an electrically conductive coil spring that expands and contracts, a core body having electrical conductivity, a writing pressure detector having a fitting part fitted to an end of the core body on a side of the core body that is opposite to a side of the core body that includes a pen tip, and an electronic circuit that includes an oscillating circuit. The electronic circuit, in operation, causes a detection result from the writing pressure detector to be included in a signal from the oscillating circuit. The core body penetrates through a center axis of the coil spring and is not biased by the coil spring, and a first end of the coil spring on a side of the coil spring adjacent to the pen tip is connected to the core body and a second end of the coil spring is connected to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tanaka, Kenichi Ninomiya, Ryuto Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11216082
    Abstract: A stylus for touchscreen includes a barrel extending in a longitudinal direction, the barrel including a first end including an opening and a second end, the first end and the second end being, in the longitudinal direction, opposite one another, and a first part and a second part, the first part including the first end and the second part including the second end, an electronic tip received at least in part in the barrel and configured to have at least an in-use configuration in which the electronic tip protrudes from the first part of the barrel through the opening, at least two actuators positioned in a circumferential direction on the second part of the barrel, each actuator being configured to be actuated independently from the other actuators and having at least two configurations, at least a detector for detecting the configuration of the actuators, and communication components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Societe Bic
    Inventors: Franck Rolion, Loïc Folgoas, Etienne Roudaut, Ludovic Fagu
  • Patent number: 11185256
    Abstract: A portable hand tremor detection device has been reported. This device is composed of a detection unit, a flexible pressure sensor, a signal processing unit, and a power supply. The detection unit is composed of the sensor and press-knob. The flexible pressure sensor is a combination of usually spaced apart flexible polymer preferably polydimethylsiloxane, flexible substrate preferably paper, and a conductive coating preferably reduced graphene oxide (RGO). When the users put pressure on the press-knob through the fingers, the flexible pressure sensor actuates and bends so that conductive RGO layers on the flexible substrates come in contact with each other to generate an output current. The electrical circuits in the signal processing unit are laid down in such a manner that the magnitude of this output current varies with the tremor between the fingers, which eventually converted into an electrical signal showing the variation in the hand tremor with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, GUTAHATI
    Inventors: Mitradip Bhattacharjee, Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Sunny Kumar
  • Patent number: 11054921
    Abstract: A stylus is provided, which includes a core body, an electrode disposed adjacent to the core body, a transmitter that sends a downlink signal including switch information SW1 using the electrode, and a controller that determines whether the stylus is in contact state with an operating surface or the stylus is in hover state. In the contact state, the controller controls the transmitter to send the switch information SW1 at a first bit rate. In the hover state, the controller controls the transmitter to send the switch information SW1 at a second bit rate smaller than the first bit rate. A technical advantage includes lowering the possibility of a failure to receive downlink signals when the stylus is in hover state, even though the stylus sends the downlink signals with the same intensity as when the stylus is in contact state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 10990201
    Abstract: A pen input device sheet, which contacts a tip part of a core body of an electronic pen for a pen input device, includes a resin film layer. A diameter of the tip part is SR. An amount of sinking of the resin film layer is ? and a coefficient of kinetic friction between the resin film layer and the tip part is ?, which change according to a load when the tip part is in contact with the pen input device sheet. When the load applied to the tip part of the core body is changed and corresponding measurements are taken, and the measurements plotted with ? allocated to an ordinate axis and a ratio of ?/SR is allocated to an abscissa axis, a fitted straight line plotted based on the measurements has a proportional relation corresponding to a proportional relation between ? and the ratio of ?/SR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: So Kato, Toshihiko Horie
  • Patent number: 10901535
    Abstract: An active stylus comprising: a pen body, a pen head connected to the pen body, and a first sensor disposed in at least one of the pen body and the pen head. The first sensor is configured to sense attitude information of the active stylus. The active stylus is adapted to realize touch control on the touch control device based on the attitude information, thereby generating an effect of simulating chalk writing and drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kaifeng Wang
  • Patent number: 10817085
    Abstract: An active stylus pen comprises a touch component and a pressure sensing module. One end of the touch component is disposed at a nib part of the active stylus pen, wherein the touch component is configured to receive an external pressure. The pressure sensing module is connected to the touch component, wherein the pressure sensing module is configured to generate an oscillation signal, wherein the oscillation signal has a first frequency when the touch component receives the external pressure and the external pressure reaches a first threshold value, and wherein the oscillation signal is adjusted to have a second frequency when the touch component receives the external pressure and the external pressure does not reach the first threshold value; wherein a difference of the first frequency and the second frequency is larger than a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SILICON INTEGRATED SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Keng-Nan Chen, Chia-Yi Chu, Han-Ning Chen, Wen-Chi Lin, Hui-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 10768720
    Abstract: A work step of electrical connection between a writing pressure detector and a circuit element of a circuit is reduced. An electronic pen includes a writing pressure detector that detects a pressure applied to a core body disposed on one end side of a tubular chassis in the axial center direction, a circuit board for which a flexible substrate formed into a shape allowed to extend in the axial center direction is used in the chassis, and a holder housed in the chassis in such a manner as to hold the writing pressure detector and the circuit board and extend in the axial center direction. In the circuit board, a writing pressure detector placement part, a circuit placement part at which a predetermined circuit is formed, and a line part at which a line pattern that electrically connects a component of the writing pressure detector placed on the writing pressure detector placement part and a circuit element of the circuit placement part is formed are formed to line up in the axial center direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Yamashita, Ryoji Kamiyama, Masamitsu Ito
  • Patent number: 10768719
    Abstract: The aspects of the present disclosure relate to a touch display device, a touch system, a touch driving circuit, a pen, and a pen sensing method, and more particularly, to a touch display device, a touch system, a touch driving circuit, a pen, and a pen sensing method, which may receive a first downlink signal and a second downlink signal output from a pen through all or some of a plurality of touch electrodes and may sense the pen based on received signal strength for each touch electrode for the first downlink signal and received signal strength for each touch electrode for the second downlink signal. According to the aspects of the present disclosure, the pen may be accurately sensed even when a user uses the pen in a tilted manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suyun Ju, HyungUk Jang, SangHyuck Bae, Sungsu Han, DoYoung Jung
  • Patent number: 10732805
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display; a touch sensor configured to detect at least one position of a touch by an external object on the display; a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure by the external object against the display; at least one processor electrically connected with the display, the touch sensor, and the pressure sensor; and memory electrically connected with the processor, wherein the memory stores a plurality of executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: present a user interface containing content on the display; receive, from the touch sensor and the pressure sensor, indicators of the position and pressure of the external object pressing the display; determine a primary position on the content, based at least in part on the position of the touch; determine a selection area on the content that includes the primary position, based at least in part on the pressure; and display an indication of the selection area over the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: So Young Kim, Kyu Hong Kim, Seung Min Choi, Yo Han Lee, Yong Joon Jeon
  • Patent number: 10664069
    Abstract: An input device, such as a hand-held stylus, can be used to receive inputs and track motion of a user in three-dimensional space, for example during a drawings session. The tip sensor can detect contact with an object by receiving a force toward a body of the stylus. Inputs from the user can be applied to a tip sensor of the stylus via an adapter. The inputs provided via the adapter can be different from inputs applied by contact with an object. Accordingly, the stylus can interpret the user inputs to initiate, terminate, or modify characteristics of the drawing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hwang Lee, Frank Angermann, Killian J. Poore, David M. Schattel
  • Patent number: 10579164
    Abstract: An electronic pen includes an electronic pen main body section coupled to a side of a housing that includes an opening. The electronic pen main body section includes: an axial portion that is put into a hollow portion of the housing via the opening; and a tip portion that is coupled to the axial portion and externally exposed from the opening of the housing. A diameter of the tip portion is larger than a diameter of the opening of the housing. A coupling side of the tip portion includes a second ring-shaped end face that comes into contact with a first ring-shaped end face on the side of the housing that includes the opening. The electronic pen main body section includes a stepped portion on a coupling area between the tip portion and the axial portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tanaka, Kenichi Ninomiya, Takenori Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10540024
    Abstract: A stylus includes in a tubular casing a core body, a pressure detector that detects a pressure applied to the core body, a coupling fitted over the core body, the coupling transmitting the pressure to the pressure detector, and a core pressing controller that controls the coupling to press the core body axially in the tubular casing. The coupling includes a push bearer that bears a push from the core pressing controller, a presser having an axial end fitted in the pressure detector, a fitting region fitted over a portion of the core body remote from a pen tip end of the tubular casing, a receptacle in which another end of the presser remote from an axial end thereof is axially movably housed, and an elastic member disposed in the receptacle, the elastic member biasing the other end of the presser resiliently toward an axial pen tip end of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Ogata, Kenichi Ninomiya, Kohei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10488951
    Abstract: A stylus pen and a touch panel are provided. The stylus pen includes: a conductive tip configured to receive an electric field transmission signal from at least one electrode of the touch panel; a circuit portion configured to generate an electric field receiving signal corresponding to the received electric field transmission signal; a variable capacitor between the conductive tip and the circuit portion, and configured to vary the electric field receiving signal depending on a writing pressure applied to the conductive tip; and a conductive body outside the variable capacitor and electrically connecting the conductive tip and the circuit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kang-nam Kim, Se-hyun Han, Byung-jik Kim
  • Patent number: 10466862
    Abstract: An input device and an electronic apparatus are provided. The input device includes a case, a user manipulator disposed on the case, and a circuit configured to generate different signals according to a position change of the user manipulator. The user manipulator includes a movable member configured to be movable on the case, a first electrode fixed within the case, and a second electrode disposed on the movable member so as to be opposite to the first electrode in which an opposed area of the second electrode opposing the first electrode is varied according to the movement of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang-nam Kim, Byung-hoon Kang
  • Patent number: 10459540
    Abstract: A stylus is provided, which includes a core body, an electrode disposed adjacent to the core body, a transmitter that sends a downlink signal including switch information SW1 using the electrode, and a controller that determines whether the stylus is in contact state with an operating surface or the stylus is in hover state. In the contact state, the controller controls the transmitter to send the switch information SW1 at a first bit rate. In the hover state, the controller controls the transmitter to send the switch information SW1 at a second bit rate smaller than the first bit rate. A technical advantage includes lowering the possibility of a failure to receive downlink signals when the stylus is in hover state, even though the stylus sends the downlink signals with the same intensity as when the stylus is in contact state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 10459538
    Abstract: A stylus device includes circuitry that includes hardware and/or software for detecting force applied to a tip of the stylus device and communicating the detected force to a host device. The detected force may be represented by a signal generated as a function of capacitance. A force response circuit modifies a force dependent capacitive response by increasing the force dependent capacitive response in a low force range relative to a high force range. A signal is generated based on the modified force dependent capacitive response and communicated to a host device or other communications transceiver of the host device. The host device generates digital ink with a weight (e.g., thickness) dependent on the detected force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ahia Peretz, Vadim Mishalov
  • Patent number: 10444859
    Abstract: A digital pen of the present disclosure includes a pen rod, an annular lens set provided in the pen rod, a pen core passing through the annular lens set and coaxial with the pen rod, a light source provided next to the pen core, an image receiver provided in the pen rod and operable to receive reflection light of light beams emitted from the light source, a microprocessor operable to control the light source and operable to receive a signal of the image receiver and perform analysis to acquire coordinate information of a position of the pen core, a wireless transmission module operable to transmit the coordinate information to an exterior, and a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CHI HSIANG OPTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po Hung Yao
  • Patent number: 10432008
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Christian Sporck, VaraPrasad Arikatla, Shadi Hawawini, Steve Hawley, Thomas O'Brien, Seema Kumar, Aaron Melgar
  • Patent number: 10303303
    Abstract: A combination touch and transducer input system is provided, which facilitates user input into an electronic system with a finger and/or a transducer (e.g., a stylus). The system includes a transducer configured to generate an electric field, and a sensor including an array of electrodes and a controller. The transducer is configured to transmit digital data, such as pen pressure data and switch status data, to the sensor. For example, the transducer comprises electronic circuitry configured to encode the digital data in a signal for transmission to the sensor. The sensor controller is configured to operate both in a touch sensing mode and in a transducer sensing mode. During the touch sensing mode, the controller determines a position of a proximate object (e.g., a finger) by capacitively sensing the object with the array of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oliver P. King-Smith, Bernardus H. Smit, Peyman Hadizad
  • Patent number: 10261623
    Abstract: A coordinate measurement system including a coordinate indicating apparatus and a coordinate measurement apparatus for determining a position of a contact object including the coordinate indicating apparatus. The coordinate measurement apparatus includes a channel electrode unit including one or more electrodes, wherein capacitance of each of the one or more electrodes or capacitance between the one or more electrodes is changed based on a change in the position of the contact object, and a controller for applying an electrical signal to the channel electrode unit or measuring a reception signal input to the channel electrode unit. The coordinate indicating apparatus includes a conductive tip for forming capacitance with the one or more electrodes of the channel electrode unit, and a resonant circuit unit for generating identification information of the coordinate indicating apparatus, wherein the resonant circuit unit is connected to the conductive tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gwan-Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 10234962
    Abstract: A position pointer is disclosed, in which an electronic ink cartridge of an electromagnetic induction type is accommodated. The electronic ink cartridge includes a resonance circuit having a coil and a capacitor circuit, and is configured to detect pressure applied to a core member accommodated in the position pointer based on a variation of a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit. The cartridge includes a tubular member, in which the core member and the coil are accommodated such that the coil is positioned between the core member, which extends outwardly from one end of the tubular member, and the capacitor circuit along a direction of a center axis of the tubular member. The cartridge also includes a connection member in the tubular member, which electrically connects a first end and a second end of the coil to a first terminal and a second terminal of the capacitor circuit, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Obata
  • Patent number: 10228781
    Abstract: A resistive force sensor may be configured with two exposed pads, each exposed pad electrically connected to a terminal. When a force is applied to a force applicator, a conductive pad moves into contact with the exposed pads, thus completing an electrical circuit and providing a precise measurement of the point in time when a user has supplied sufficient force to switch the apparatus from one mode of operation to another. In another implementation, two resistive sensors may be disposed above and below portions of a conductive pad with an elastic member disposed between the two resistive sensors. When a force is applied to the force applicator of the apparatus, a differential resistance may be calculated between the two resistive sensors. Since resistive sensors may experience thermal drift due to changes in environmental temperature conditions, the differential resistance between the two resistive sensors allows a temperature-independent measurement of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Vadim Mishalov, Ahia Peretz
  • Patent number: 10228427
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for using a magnetic controller to control device. In one aspect, a system includes a magnetic controller external to a device, the magnetic controller including: a magnetic device for altering a surrounding magnetic field of a device; one or more input actuators, each operatively coupled to the magnetic device and that when actuated cause the magnetic device alter the surrounding magnetic field according to a predefined change associated with the input actuator; and a model executable by the device and that models as device inputs the differences in the surrounding magnetic field of the device caused by the actuation of the one or more input actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Boris Smus, Christian Plagemann
  • Patent number: 10168801
    Abstract: To provide a small and light-weight writing instrument that can accurately read information written down on a display portion as electronic information. A pen-shaped device which includes a battery capable of being charged wirelessly from the outside, a first sensor which detects whether a pen nib has contact with a surface, a second sensor which detects movement of the pen nib in contact with the surface, a control circuit which is electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, and a memory which is electrically connected to the control circuit, where the first sensor, the second sensor, the control circuit, and the memory operate by supply of electric power from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Osada, Mayumi Yamaguchi, Konami Izumi
  • Patent number: 10126842
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for an apparatus for a device for writing with character stroke sensing. In one instance, the device may include a body, a component for writing disposed substantially lengthwise inside the body, and one or more sensors disposed inside the body, substantially around with the component for writing, to sense deviations of the component for writing from a default position inside the body, in response to a contact of the component for writing with a writing medium. The sensed deviations are used to generate data indicative of character strokes the component for writing imparts on the writing medium. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Sprenger, Christian Amoah-Kusi
  • Patent number: 10031590
    Abstract: A method of one embodiment includes generating, by a stylus, a composite signal. The composite signal includes a first signal having a first frequency, the first signal being used by a touch-sensing device to determine a position of the stylus relative to the touch-sensing device, and a second signal having a second frequency. The second signal may include status information such as an amount of force exerted on the stylus, battery information, orientation information, information indicating whether the stylus is within a threshold distance of the touch-sensing device, information indicating a status of a button of the stylus, and/or information indicating input from a user of the stylus. Furthermore, the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The stylus sends the composite signal to the touch-sensing device, and an electrode array of the touch-sensing device may receive the composite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Vemund Kval Bakken, Izhar Bentov, Vivek Pant
  • Patent number: 9963340
    Abstract: A pressure sensor die assembly comprises a base substrate having a first surface, a stop structure on the first surface, and a diaphragm structure coupled to the first surface. The diaphragm structure comprises a first side with a cavity section including a first cavity and a second cavity surrounding the first cavity; a pressure sensing diaphragm portion having a first thickness and defined by the first cavity; and an over pressure diaphragm portion having a second thickness and defined by the second cavity, the second thickness greater than the first thickness. When an over pressure is applied, at least some area of the pressure sensing diaphragm portion is deflected and supported by the stop structure. As over pressure is increased, the over pressure diaphragm portion deflects and engages with the first surface such that additional area of the pressure sensing diaphragm portion is deflected and supported by the stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Brown
  • Patent number: 9874949
    Abstract: A signal emitting stylus for operation with a digitizer system includes a resonant circuit including a first capacitor and an inductor, the circuit operative to alternate between receiving a wirelessly transmitted first signal and generating electrical field; a controller and a power source. The controller operates the resonant circuit in a receive mode for receiving the first signal, decodes the received first signal and switches operation of the resonant circuit to a transmit mode for generating the electrical field and coupling the electrical field to a digitizer system in response to detecting the first signal. The power source powers generation of the electrical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Yuval Stern
  • Patent number: 9760188
    Abstract: A position indicator includes a cylindrical case, a signal output device, a core body portion, an urging device, a substrate, a plurality of flat springs, and a conduction member. The signal output device is in the case and outputs a detection signal to a position detection device. The core body portion is provided to be freely movable inside the case along an axial direction. The urging device urges the core body portion toward one end side of the case. The substrate includes a circuit connected to the signal output device, and extends in a direction parallel with the axial direction. The flat springs have elasticity in the axial direction, protrude from the substrate toward the core body portion while making contact with the end surface. The conduction member causes the flat springs to become conductive to each other by moving to a position of contact with the flat springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoya Takahashi, Takehiko Inaba
  • Patent number: 9720546
    Abstract: A force sensitive surface measures force or pressure applied to the surface. The surface may also detect the touch position. The force sensing surface is calibrated with a stylus having a force measuring element. The stylus measures the force information from force applied on the surface and sends the information to the device with the force sensing surface. The device detects the same force and calibrates the force sensing element according to the information received from the stylus. The device may also detect the position of the touch. As the force information obtained from different portions of the surface may be different, the calibration may be repeated for multiple positions on the force and touch sensitive surface. The calibration may also be used to calibrate a position sensing feature on a force sensing surface having multiple force sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Lauri Jääskelä, Henri Autio, Pasi Kemppinen, Petri Jarske, Matti Pellikka
  • Patent number: 9720537
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering pressure data from a pressure-sensitive device is disclosed. A computer implemented method for filtering pressure data from a pressure-sensitive device comprises receiving, from a pressure sensitive device, a raw pressure value for a stroke, filtering the raw pressure value for the stroke to determine a filtered pressure value, and computing a width of a stroke based on the filtered pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Paul George, Brian Jeffrey Brantner
  • Patent number: 9519386
    Abstract: An input device according to one of various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a body having an ElectroMagnetic Induction (EMI) circuit, a first contact member reciprocating in the body and associated with the EMI circuit, and a second contact member installed to the body and having at least a part disposed in side by side with the first contact member, the second contact member being made of a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Jik Kim, Dong-Wook Kwon, In-Sik Myung, Jong-Woo Jung
  • Patent number: 9430060
    Abstract: A stylus capable of detecting pressure on its tip is disclosed in the present disclosure. The stylus includes a holder, a tip and a pressure sensing module. The pressure sensing module can detect the pressure on the tip. The pressure sensing module includes a retractable body disposed inside the holder and connected to the tip. The retractable body includes a base, a reference component disposed on an end of the base and fixed inside the holder, and a movable component disposed on the other end of the base and connected to the tip. The movable component can move relative to the reference component with the tip. The pressure sensing module further includes a sensor disposed by the retractable body for detecting a movement of the movable component relative to the reference component, so that value of the movement can be analyzed for calculating value of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsing Wang, Pei-Chen Chin, Pin-Hsien Su, Wen-Chin Wu, Yi-Sheng Kao
  • Patent number: 9405400
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of interpreting a user's touch at a touch screen interface device is disclosed. One example may include instructing the user to draw a certain figure on the touch screen interface device, and detecting the user's touch on the touch screen interface device. Further operations may include identifying the user's touch as a plurality of coordinates within a predefined area designated as the user's interface device, and comparing touch strength pressure measurements of the user's touch coordinates with touch strength pressure measurement threshold values stored in a memory of a computing device. Additional operations may also include adjusting the touch strength pressure measurement threshold values based on the touch strength pressure measurements of the user's touch coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
    Inventors: Farid Khafizov, Margarita Khafizova
  • Patent number: 9357493
    Abstract: A system including an active stylus and a mobile computing device where an electronic signal emitted by the tip of the stylus that the mobile computing device uses to locate the tip is turned on and off when the stylus is not being used to save power. Whether the stylus is being used is determined based on an orientation of the stylus in comparison to an orientation of an electronic writing surface of the computing device. Difference in barometric air pressure or altitude between the stylus and mobile computing device may also be used to turn the tip signal on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David George Butler, Richard William Mincher, Arvind Thiagarajan
  • Patent number: 9354748
    Abstract: Optical stylus interaction techniques are described. In an implementation, a display of a computing device includes optical sensors capable of detecting images projected by a stylus. A stylus may include a projection system to project various images used to convey interaction information that may be interpreted by the computing device. Based on recognition of different projected images, a context for interaction of the stylus may be ascertained and corresponding operations may be performed by the computing device. This may include resolving a spatial position of the stylus relative to the display device as well as movement of the stylus and images that defines various stylus-based gestures. In addition, the environment for optical stylus interaction enables a writing mode that emulates natural writing by mapping different projectable images to changes in pressure applied to the stylus when in contact with the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Lutian, Liang Wang, Karlton D. Powell, Steven Nabil Bathiche
  • Patent number: 9335872
    Abstract: A touch screen system is configured to sense a proximate or actual touch made to a touch screen panel. In response thereto, an RF transmitter is actuated to emit RF energy. A stylus receives the emitted RF energy and includes an RF energy harvesting circuit that powers an enable circuit. The enable circuit generates an enable signal. The stylus responds to the enable signal by performing a sensing operation. The information collected in the sensing operation is then communicated over an RF communications link back to the touch screen system. The sensing operation preferably is a pressure sensing operation for detecting an applied pressure at an end of the stylus resulting from contact with the touch screen panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD
    Inventor: Chee Yu Ng
  • Patent number: 9335840
    Abstract: A flexible circuit board based force sensor is disclosed. A flexible circuit having a first metal pad and a second metal pad, the flexible circuit board is folded so that the first metal pad functioning as a top metal pad and the bottom metal pad functioning as a bottom metal pad. A force sensing material is configured in between the top metal pad and the bottom metal pad to form a force sensor. An electronic drawing system adopts the flexible circuit board based force sensor in an electronic pen for sensing pressures applied against the pen tip of the electronic pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: UNEO INC.
    Inventors: Chia-Hung Chou, Chih-Sheng Hou
  • Patent number: 9285900
    Abstract: A touch pen using a delay device and a touch input method thereof and a touch input system and a method thereof are provided. The touch pen includes a body, an antenna embedded on the body configured to receive a wireless signal from a mobile terminal, and a delay device configured to receive the wireless signal from the antenna and to output a reflection signal, corresponding to the received wireless signal, to the antenna after a predetermined time elapses, wherein the antenna transmits the reflection signal to the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bongjae Rhee
  • Patent number: 9250720
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering pressure data from a pressure-sensitive device is disclosed. A computer implemented method for filtering pressure data from a pressure-sensitive device comprises receiving, from a pressure sensitive device, a raw pressure value for a stroke, filtering the raw pressure value for the stroke to determine a filtered pressure value, and computing a width of a stroke based on the filtered pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Paul George, Brian Jeffrey Brantner
  • Patent number: 9152250
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pointer with a new type adjustment structure is disclosed. The electromagnetic pointer comprises at least one pen tube assembly, a tuning component at one end of the pen tube assembly, a pen tip, a core holder configured in the pen tube assembly with a surrounding coil, a ferrite core, an elastomer, a touch pin configured in the core holder and the pen tube assembly and a circuit board. The tuning component is configured to move axially along the pen tube assembly to perform tuning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Li, Chien-Chia Lien, A-Li Wong
  • Patent number: 8982044
    Abstract: A position detector includes a tablet and a position indicator, which includes a coil and configured to continuously transmit a coil-based signal to the tablet as a position signal and to intermittently transmit the coil-based signal to the tablet as a non-positional signal. The tablet is configured to detect a position on its surface pointed to by the position indicator by detecting the continuously-transmitted coil-based signal, and to determine non-positional information regarding the position indicator (e.g., pen pressure, pen ID, etc.) by detecting the intermittently-transmitted coil-based signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Katsurahira
  • Patent number: 8970507
    Abstract: Methods of waking a portable electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: causing the portable electronic device to enter a sleep mode in which a touch-sensitive display is deactivated a force sensing transducer measures forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at a reduced rate relative to a rate of a full power mode when in the sleep mode; causing a force sensing transducer to measure forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at the rate of the full power mode in response to detection of an inertial event; causing the touch-sensitive display to be reactivated in response to detection of a force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold; and causing the portable electronic device to wake in response to detection of a touch event within a first predetermined duration of the detection of the force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Marc Edward Holbein, Kevin Howard Orr, Aleksandar Sasha Papo, Adam Louis Parco, Christopher James Grant
  • Patent number: 8941617
    Abstract: An image input-output device includes a pixel which displays an image and reads an image. The pixel includes a photodetector element, a color layer, and a display element. The color layer is provided over the photodetector element and the display element is provided over the color layer, so that the distance between the photodetector element and the color layer is reduced. Accordingly, light is likely to enter the predetermined photodetector element through the predetermined color layer, and thus, even a color object can be read correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8907907
    Abstract: A display device includes a touch panel; a coordinate detecting unit configured to detect coordinates on a display surface of the touch panel; a special pen detecting unit configured to detect that a special pen comes into physical contact with the display surface; a timer unit configured to measure time having elapsed from when the coordinate detecting unit detects the coordinates; and an event issuing unit configured to issue a first event when the special pen detecting unit detects the special pen coming into contact with the display surface, and issue a second event when the time having elapsed measured by the timer unit exceeds a predetermined time ?t while the special pen detecting unit is not detecting the special pen coming into contact with the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Kawasaki, Katsuyuki Omura, Takanori Nagahara
  • Patent number: 8884932
    Abstract: A pen type coordinate indicator for a position input device is provided, which is capable of widening a detection range of a pressing pressure (pen pressure) while preventing erroneous (false) detection. A coil spring (i.e., a first elastic body) and a silicon rubber (i.e., a second elastic body) are interposed between an end surface of a first ferrite core, around which a coil connected to a resonance circuit is wound, and an end surface of a second ferrite core, within the pen. The first and second elastic bodies operate to controllably change (narrow) the distance between the two end faces in accordance with the pressure applied to the pen tip. As a result, an inductance value of the coil wound around the first ferrite core is controllably changed and thus a phase (frequency) of an electric wave transmitted from the resonance circuit to a position detector is controllably changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fukushima, Hiroyuki Fujitsuka
  • Patent number: 8878823
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a stylus with a dynamically switch tip shield is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated stylus housing having an end, a conductive tip disposed at least partially inside the stylus housing and extending from the end, a force sensor coupled to the conductive tip and configured to detect contact between the conductive tip and an object, a tip shield coupled with the stylus housing and extending from the end, and a switch coupled to the tip shield and the conductive tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Viktor Kremin, Andriy Ryshtun