Abstract: Input device power consumption can be reduced with a magnetic drive system. In some examples, the input device can include a transformer configured to generate a desired high output voltage from logic-level input pulses. In some examples, the distributed capacitance and associated resonance of the transformer can act as a low-pass filter, and can create a relatively clean output waveform from input logic signal waveforms. In some examples, the transformer can be an autotransformer. In some examples, to stabilize an amplitude of the output by sampling the output of the transformer and adjusting the input to the transformer based on the sampled output.

Abstract: Input device power consumption can be reduced with a magnetic drive system. In some examples, the input device can include a transformer configured to generate a desired high output voltage from logic-level input pulses. In some examples, the distributed capacitance and associated resonance of the transformer can act as a low-pass filter, and can create a relatively clean output waveform from input logic signal waveforms. In some examples, the transformer can be an autotransformer. In some examples, to stabilize an amplitude of the output by sampling the output of the transformer and adjusting the input to the transformer based on the sampled output.

Abstract: An electrode for an input device can be designed to reduce wobble over a range of input device orientations. The electrode can include a spherical portion and a tapered portion. In some examples, the electrode can linearly taper away from the spherical portion. In other examples, the electrode can non-linearly taper away forming an elliptical flare. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a spring-loaded member that can couple the electrode to other circuitry of the input device. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a neck portion coupled to the tapered portion, and part of the neck portion can be shielded. The input device can include a first non-conductive material disposed on part of the spherical portion of the electrode and a second non-conductive material disposed between part of the electrode and the first non-conductive material.

Abstract: A ring electrode to determine the orientation of the stylus relative to the surface. The stylus can include a ring electrode configuration which can improve capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and the touch panel. The ring electrode configuration can include a ring electrode and ground ring, and ground plate. By varying the lengths of ring electrode, ground ring, ground plate, and the distance between these elements, the electric field emanating from the ring electrode can be tuned to optimize the capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and surface. In some examples, the ring electrode can include multiple sub-rings. In some examples, the ring electrode can comprise a crown shape including projections, each having a width that tapers to a minimum width along the length of the ring electrode.

Abstract: A level of wear of a stylus tip can be estimated and in accordance with a determination that the level of wear of the stylus tip exceeds a threshold, the stylus input functionality of an electronic device can be disabled. The threshold can be set such that the stylus can be disabled before the stylus sensing performance degrades to a degree perceptible to a human and/or before exposing internal portions of the stylus that can scratch a touch screen. Additionally or alternatively, a notification can be provided to indicate to a user that the stylus tip should be replaced. In some examples, the estimated level of wear can also be used to provide warning notifications. Stylus tip wear can be estimated, for example, based on a detected total signal strength or based on an estimated total distance traversed by the stylus tip across a surface.

Abstract: Time synchronization between a central wireless communication device and a peripheral wireless communication device is described. Events associated with an application are time stamped at the central wireless communication device, and one or more link layer messages are sent to the peripheral wireless communication device to provide time stamp information to replicate the event timing at the peripheral wireless communication device. A first link layer message includes information about an internal Bluetooth clock to calibrate a corresponding internal clock value at the peripheral wireless communication device. A second link layer message includes information about a current value for the Bluetooth clock and also a value for an offset that provides a time position at a finer granularity than the Bluetooth clock within a timeslot specified by the Bluetooth clock value.

Abstract: A level of wear of a stylus tip can be estimated and in accordance with a determination that the level of wear of the stylus tip exceeds a threshold, the stylus input functionality of an electronic device can be disabled. The threshold can be set such that the stylus can be disabled before the stylus sensing performance degrades to a degree perceptible to a human and/or before exposing internal portions of the stylus that can scratch a touch screen. Additionally or alternatively, a notification can be provided to indicate to a user that the stylus tip should be replaced. In some examples, the estimated level of wear can also be used to provide warning notifications. Stylus tip wear can be estimated, for example, based on a detected total signal strength or based on an estimated total distance traversed by the stylus tip across a surface.

Abstract: An electrode for an input device can be designed to reduce wobble over a range of input device orientations. The electrode can include a spherical portion and a tapered portion. In some examples, the electrode can linearly taper away from the spherical portion. In other examples, the electrode can non-linearly taper away forming an elliptical flare. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a spring-loaded member that can couple the electrode to other circuitry of the input device. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a neck portion coupled to the tapered portion, and part of the neck portion can be shielded. The input device can include a first non-conductive material disposed on part of the spherical portion of the electrode and a second non-conductive material disposed between part of the electrode and the first non-conductive material.

Abstract: A ring electrode to determine the orientation of the stylus relative to the surface. The stylus can include a ring electrode configuration which can improve capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and the touch panel. The ring electrode configuration can include a ring electrode and ground ring, and ground plate. By varying the lengths of ring electrode, ground ring, ground plate, and the distance between these elements, the electric field emanating from the ring electrode can be tuned to optimize the capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and surface. In some examples, the ring electrode can include multiple sub-rings. In some examples, the ring electrode can comprise a crown shape including projections, each having a width that tapers to a minimum width along the length of the ring electrode.

Abstract: Time synchronization between a central wireless communication device and a peripheral wireless communication device is described. Events associated with an application are time stamped at the central wireless communication device, and one or more link layer messages are sent to the peripheral wireless communication device to provide time stamp information to replicate the event timing at the peripheral wireless communication device. A first link layer message includes information about an internal Bluetooth clock to calibrate a corresponding internal clock value at the peripheral wireless communication device. A second link layer message includes information about a current value for the Bluetooth clock and also a value for an offset that provides a time position at a finer granularity than the Bluetooth clock within a timeslot specified by the Bluetooth clock value.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that facilitates use of an electronic device. The electronic device may be a keyboard, a mouse, a trackpad, a remote control, a wireless phone, a toy, a battery charger, and/or a camera. During operation, the system measures a loaded voltage of a calibrated voltage source connected to the electronic device. To measure the loaded voltage, the calibrated voltage source is connected to a known load in the electronic device, and a voltage measurement for the calibrated voltage source is obtained using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in the electronic device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. A system and method for utilizing wireless near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power transmission in a computing environment. A small form factor wireless power unit can be used to replace conventional batteries.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. The wireless powered local computing environment includes at least a near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply arranged to wirelessly provide power to any of a number of suitably configured devices. In the described embodiments, the devices arranged to receive power wirelessly from the NFMR power supply must be located in a region known as the near field that extends no further than a distance of a few times a characteristic size of the NFMR power supply transmission device. Typically, the distance can be on the order of 1 meter or so. The NFMR power supply is used to tune a transmitter in order to maintain a high Q factor.

Abstract: Stylus orientation detection is disclosed. In an example, the orientation of a stylus relative to a contacting surface, e.g., a touch panel, can be detected by detecting a capacitance at one or more locations on the stylus relative to the surface, and then using the capacitance(s) to determine the orientation of the stylus relative to the surface. In another example, the orientation of a stylus relative to a contacting surface, e.g., a touch panel, can be detected by first detecting the orientation of the stylus relative to a reference, detecting the orientation of the contacting surface relative to the reference, and then calculating the orientation of the stylus relative to the contacting surface using the two detected orientations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficiently embedding information in a keyboard membrane. Information can be embedded in the keyboard membrane by integrating an information embedding circuit with a switch matrix used to identify location of a key press event. The information is embedded by either hardwiring a column to a selected row, or a row to a selected column. In order to access the embedded information, the row (column) is asserted resulting in the hardwired column (row) to also be asserted. The identification of the asserted column (row) is used to point to the embedded information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing stable and accurate low noise DC reference voltage are described. In the described embodiments, a feedback controlled DC reference voltage supply provides a stable and well controlled sense current. The sense current is in turn used to produce a stable and well controlled light output from a light emitting diode (LED).

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a client on a local area network that periodically and automatically evaluates its physical connectivity with the local area network, exercises local-network services such as DHCP, and verifies Internet connectivity and function by pinging one or more numerically specified IP addresses and by pinging one or more IP addresses specified by an FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) known to the assigned DNS servers. An embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of client elements monitoring one or more networks. Functionality according to embodiments of the invention can send notices, automatically initiate action, and otherwise assist in, among other things, remote monitoring and administration of networks, and particularly wireless networks.

Abstract: Stylus orientation detection is disclosed. In an example, the orientation of a stylus relative to a contacting surface, e.g., a touch panel, can be detected by detecting a capacitance at one or more locations on the stylus relative to the surface, and then using the capacitance(s) to determine the orientation of the stylus relative to the surface. In another example, the orientation of a stylus relative to a contacting surface, e.g., a touch panel, can be detected by first detecting the orientation of the stylus relative to a reference, detecting the orientation of the contacting surface relative to the reference, and then calculating the orientation of the stylus relative to the contacting surface using the two detected orientations.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. A system and method for utilizing wireless near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power transmission in a computing environment. A small form factor wireless power unit can be used to replace conventional batteries.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. The wireless powered local computing environment includes at least a near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power supply arranged to wirelessly provide power to any of a number of suitably configured devices. In the described embodiments, the devices arranged to receive power wirelessly from the NFMR power supply must be located in a region known as the near field that extends no further than a distance of a few times a characteristic size of the NFMR power supply transmission device. Typically, the distance can be on the order of 1 meter or so. The NFMR power supply is used to tune a transmitter in order to maintain a high Q factor.