Abstract: The described technology provides an apparatus for a computing device. The apparatus includes a touchpad configured to receive a force input, a printed circuit board (PCB) configured below the touchpad, the PCB being supported by a spring mechanism on a backet, and a plurality of sensing pads configured between the PCB and the backet such that an airgap exists between each of the plurality of sensing pads the backet, wherein each of the airgaps between the sensing pads and the backet has a height different than other airgaps.

Abstract: A method for a touch-sensitive display device comprises detecting a position of a stylus touch input relative to a plurality of touch-sensing electrodes, the stylus touch input corresponding to proximity of an active stylus to a display surface. A position of a human hand touch input is detected, corresponding to proximity of a human hand to the display surface. Each of the plurality of touch-sensing electrodes are driven with a first drive signal to communicate data to the active stylus. An electrical grounding condition is detected that interferes with reception of the first drive signal by the active stylus. A hand-proximity-subset of the plurality of touch-sensing electrodes within a threshold distance of the position of the human hand touch input are driven with a second drive signal, different from the first drive signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating the effect of a contact by a hand or other body part of a user with a touch screen while holding an input device on the strength of a capacitively coupled uplink signal provided to the input device by a host device, by detecting and/or discriminating the body touch and modifying at least one uplink channel parameter.

Abstract: A method for a touch-sensitive display device comprises detecting a position of a stylus touch input relative to a plurality of touch-sensing electrodes, the stylus touch input corresponding to proximity of an active stylus to a display surface. A position of a human hand touch input is detected, corresponding to proximity of a human hand to the display surface. Each of the plurality of touch-sensing electrodes are driven with a first drive signal to communicate data to the active stylus. An electrical grounding condition is detected that interferes with reception of the first drive signal by the active stylus. A hand-proximity-subset of the plurality of touch-sensing electrodes within a threshold distance of the position of the human hand touch input are driven with a second drive signal, different from the first drive signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a tip that moves with respect to the housing based on applied contact force and a pressure sensor that detects the force applied on the tip. The pressure sensor includes a first element integrated or fixed to the tip and a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element. The first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive. The second element is conductive and has elastic properties. In addition, one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer. The first element moves toward the second element based on force applied on the tip and deforms the second element based on the force. The sensor additionally includes a circuit to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a tip that moves with respect to the housing based on applied contact force and a pressure sensor that detects the force applied on the tip. The pressure sensor includes a first element integrated or fixed to the tip and a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element. The first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive. The second element is conductive and has elastic properties. In addition, one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer. The first element moves toward the second element based on force applied on the tip and deforms the second element based on the force. The sensor additionally includes a circuit to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element.

Abstract: A stylus for operation with a digitizer device is described. The stylus comprises a housing, at least one transmitter within the housing, electronic circuitry within the housing, the electronic circuitry configured to generate a signal for transmission by the transmitter such that in use, the digitizer device is able to detect the transmitted signal and infer a position of the transmitter with respect to the digitizer device; and an electrically conducting connector. The connector connects the transmitter to the electronic circuitry, and conveys the generated signal from the electronic circuitry to the transmitter. The connector and the transmitter are formed as a single element.

Abstract: A method includes receiving by wireless transmission, a first signal transmitted by a digitizer system. The first signal is configured to define a detection period during which a second signal may be detected by the digitizer system. The method further includes detecting timing of the receiving, detecting a first delay in the receiving due to amplification associated with the receiving, defining timing to transmit the second signal based on the timing of the receiving and the first delay and transmitting the second signal at the timing defined. The second signal is transmitted with a handheld device by wireless transmission and the first delay is detected by the handheld device that is receiving the first signal and transmitting the second signal.

Abstract: A circuit, includes a first node, a positive voltage generator electrically connected to the first node, a negative voltage generator electrically connected to the first node in parallel with the positive voltage generator, a second node, an electrical connector electrically connecting the first node to the second node, a first light emitting diode (LED) electrically intermediate the second node and ground, and a second LED electrically intermediate the second node and ground in parallel with the first LED. The first LED is configured to activate based on the negative voltage generator supplying a negative voltage to the second node via the first node. The second LED is configured to activate based on the positive voltage generator supplying a positive voltage to the second node via the first node.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a tip that moves with respect to the housing based on applied contact force and a pressure sensor that detects the force applied on the tip. The pressure sensor includes a first element integrated or fixed to the tip and a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element. The first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive. The second element is conductive and has elastic properties. In addition, one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer. The first element moves toward the second element based on force applied on the tip and deforms the second element based on the force. The sensor additionally includes a circuit to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a tip that moves with respect to the housing based on applied contact force and a pressure sensor that detects the force applied on the tip. The pressure sensor includes a first element integrated or fixed to the tip and a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element. The first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive. The second element is conductive and has elastic properties. In addition, one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer. The first element moves toward the second element based on force applied on the tip and deforms the second element based on the force. The sensor additionally includes a circuit to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element.

Abstract: A device includes a housing, a tip configured to be movable with respect to the housing, a resilient element fixed to the tip, a substrate fixed to the housing, a coil mounted or patterned on the substrate, and a controller configured to induce haptic feedback via the tip based on applying a signal to the coil. A surface of the substrate faces the resilient element. The resilient element presses against the surface in response to the tip receding toward the housing. The resilient element includes magnetic material. The signal applied on the coil induces a magnetic driving force on the resilient element.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a conductive tip configured to interact with a capacitive based digitizer sensor, an active transmission module, a reflective transmission module, a switch configured to connect the conductive tip to one of the active transmission module and the reflective transmission module and a controller configured to toggle position of the switch. The active transmission module configured to generate a first signal on the conductive tip independent from a drive signal transmitted on the digitizer sensor. The reflective transmission module is configured to generate a second signal on the conductive tip based on the drive signal transmitted on the digitizer sensor and picked by the conductive tip during interaction with the digitizer sensor.

Abstract: A stylus for operation with a digitizer device is described. The stylus comprises a housing, at least one transmitter within the housing, electronic circuitry within the housing, the electronic circuitry configured to generate a signal for transmission by the transmitter such that in use, the digitizer device is able to detect the transmitted signal and infer a position of the transmitter with respect to the digitizer device; and an electrically conducting connector. The connector connects the transmitter to the electronic circuitry, and conveys the generated signal from the electronic circuitry to the transmitter. The connector and the transmitter are formed as a single element.

Abstract: A method includes receiving by wireless transmission, a first signal transmitted by a digitizer system. The first signal is configured to define a detection period during which a second signal may be detected by the digitizer system. The method further includes detecting timing of the receiving, detecting a first delay in the receiving due to amplification associated with the receiving, defining timing to transmit the second signal based on the timing of the receiving and the first delay and transmitting the second signal at the timing defined. The second signal is transmitted with a handheld device by wireless transmission and the first delay is detected by the handheld device that is receiving the first signal and transmitting the second signal.

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.

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.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a conductive tip configured to interact with a capacitive based digitizer sensor, an active transmission module, a reflective transmission module, a switch configured to connect the conductive tip to one of the active transmission module and the reflective transmission module and a controller configured to toggle position of the switch. The active transmission module configured to generate a first signal on the conductive tip independent from a drive signal transmitted on the digitizer sensor. The reflective transmission module is configured to generate a second signal on the conductive tip based on the drive signal transmitted on the digitizer sensor and picked by the conductive tip during interaction with the digitizer sensor.

Abstract: A circuit, includes a first node, a positive voltage generator electrically connected to the first node, a negative voltage generator electrically connected to the first node in parallel with the positive voltage generator, a second node, an electrical connector electrically connecting the first node to the second node, a first light emitting diode (LED) electrically intermediate the second node and ground, and a second LED electrically intermediate the second node and ground in parallel with the first LED. The first LED is configured to activate based on the negative voltage generator supplying a negative voltage to the second node via the first node. The second LED is configured to activate based on the positive voltage generator supplying a positive voltage to the second node via the first node.