Abstract: An electronic pen having a retractable nib for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a slidably movable cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface, a retraction mechanism for retracting the cartridge, an actuator coupled to the retraction mechanism, a force sensor providing a reaction to an axial force transmitted from the cartridge, and a processor configured for generating force data indicative of a force detected by the force sensor. The retraction mechanism comprises a barrel for receiving the cartridge, which is adapted for seating the cartridge in either an extended position or a retracted position, whereby the axial force from the cartridge is transmitted to the barrel in the extended position. A biasing mechanism biases the cartridge towards the extended or retracted positions.

Abstract: A sensing device is provided with an image sensor for capturing images of coded data disposed on a surface, a framestore for storing frames of the captured image as image data, subsampling means for subsampling the stored image date to generate subsampled image data, and an image processor for processing the subsampled image data to generate interaction data based on the sensed coded data and indicative of interaction of the sensing device with the surface. The image processor is integrated on a monolithic integrated circuit, the monolithic integrated circuit including a first subsampled framestore for storing the subsampled image data based on image data from the framestore.

Abstract: An electronic pen for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface, a capacitive force sensor cooperating with said cartridge for sensing a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge, and a processor configured to generate force data indicative of a force detected by the force sensor. The capacitive force sensor comprises: a spring having an integral conductive moving plate resiliently biased towards a reference position, a conductive fixed plate and a dielectric separating said plates.

Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a retractable cartridge, a retraction mechanism for extending and retracting the cartridge, a button for actuating the retraction mechanism, a sensing arrangement for sensing a configuration of the pen, and a processor cooperating with the sensing arrangement. The processor is adapted to configure a state of the pen in response to input signals from the sensing arrangement. The sensing arrangement comprises a button sensor coupled to the button, which senses actuation of the button and a cartridge sensor for sensing whether the cartridge is extended or retracted.

Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a retractable cartridge having a nib, a force-actuable device that is actuated by a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge from the nib, a retraction for retracting the cartridge, a button for actuating the retraction mechanism, and a decoupling mechanism for biasing the button away from coupled engagement with the retraction mechanism and thereby the force-actuable device.

Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a user-replaceable cartridge having a nib, a force sensor for sensing a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge from the nib and a retraction mechanism for retracting the cartridge. The retraction mechanism comprises a barrel adapted for seating the cartridge in either an extended position or a retracted position, and a first biasing mechanism for biasing the cartridge towards the extended or retracted positions. A second biasing mechanism biases the barrel towards engagement with the force sensor.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector, a storage node with first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, a reset transistor disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal based on a voltage at the first terminal. First the reset signal is applied, followed by the transfer signal. Next, a compensation signal is applied at the second terminal of the storage node. The compensation signal increases the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed which includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, a storage node, transfer and reset transistors and an output circuit. The storage node has first and second node terminals. The second node terminal is connected to a compensation signal during a read period of the photodetection circuit. The transfer transistor is disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector and is for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector during an integration period upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector.

Abstract: An electronic pen includes a pen body having a longitudinal axis; an image sensor; an ink cartridge replaceably received in the pen body, the ink cartridge having a nib at a first end and an opposite second end; and a force sensor assembly engaged with the second end of the ink cartridge. The force sensor assembly is configured for sensing a nib force transmitted longitudinally axially through the ink cartridge. The pen body includes a removable cover molding extending longitudinally along the pen body for insertion of the ink cartridge inside the pen body.

Abstract: A force sensor particularly suited for use in an electronic stylus that senses an applied force on its nib for recording pen strokes and handwriting recognition. The sensor has a load bearing member for receiving an input force to be sensed and associated circuitry for converting the input force into an output signal indicative of the input force. A coupling at least partially transmits the applied force to be the input force acting on the load bearing member. The force transfer coupling transferring the forces so that the applied force and the input force are not co-linear.

Abstract: An electronic pen includes a pen body having a longitudinal axis; an image sensor; an ink cartridge replaceably received in the pen body, the ink cartridge having a nib at a first end and an opposite second end; and a force sensor assembly engaged with the second end of the ink cartridge. The force sensor assembly is configured for sensing a nib force transmitted longitudinally axially through the ink cartridge. The pen body includes a removable cover molding extending longitudinally along the pen body for insertion of the ink cartridge inside the pen body.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector, a storage node with first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, a reset transistor disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal based on a voltage at the first terminal. First the reset signal is applied, followed by the transfer signal. Next, a compensation signal is applied at the second terminal of the storage node. The compensation signal increases the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.

Abstract: A pen with an elongate chassis moulding and a cartridge with a nib and an elongate body. The cartridge is configured for insertion and removal from the elongate chassis moulding from a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis moulding.

Abstract: A force sensor assembly particularly suited for use in an electronic stylus that senses the contact force on its nib for recording pen strokes and handwriting recognition. The sensor assembly has a housing in which force sensing circuitry is mounted. The force sensing circuitry is configured for receiving an input force to be sensed and converting the input force into an output signal indicative of the input force. A coupling transmits the input force to the force sensing circuitry. The coupling has an inner section that applies the input force to the load bearing member, an outer section that receives the contact force on the nib and a collapsible section that allows the outer section to move relative to the inner section when the contact force exceeds a threshold. The relative movement of the outer section is limited by an abutment on the housing so that the input force on the force sensing circuitry never exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, a storage node having first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor, disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector, for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector, a reset transistor, disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node, for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal during a read period of the photodetecting circuit, the output signal being at least partially based on a voltage at the first terminal.

Abstract: A method is described for positioning an image sensor at a point of best focus for a lens. The lens has an optical axis and the image sensor is moved to a plurality of positions along the optical axis. The image sensor captures an image of a target image at each of the plurality of positions through the lens. A measure of blur in the image captured is derived at each of the plurality of positions from pixel data output from the image sensor. A relationship is derived between blur and position of the image sensor along the optical axis. The image sensor is then moved to a position on the optical axis that the relationship indicates as the point of best focus where the image sensor is fixedly secured relative to the lens.

Abstract: A sensing device is provided with an image sensor for capturing images of coded data disposed on a surface, a framestore for storing frames of the captured image as image data, subsampling means for subsampling the stored image date to generate subsampled image data, and an image processor for processing the subsampled image data to generate interaction data based on the sensed coded data and indicative of interaction of the sensing device with the surface. The image processor is integrated on a monolithic integrated circuit, the monolithic integrated circuit including a first subsampled framestore for storing the subsampled image data based on image data from the framestore.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed which includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, astorage node, transfer and reset transistors and an output circuit. The storage node has first and second node terminals. The second node terminal is connected to a compensation signal during a read period of the photodetection circuit. The transfer transistor is disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector and is for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector during an integration period upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector.

Abstract: An electronic pen having a retractable nib for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a slidably movable cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface, a retraction mechanism for retracting the cartridge, an actuator coupled to the retraction mechanism, a force sensor providing a reaction to an axial force transmitted from the cartridge, and a processor configured for generating force data indicative of a force detected by the force sensor. The retraction mechanism comprises a barrel for receiving the cartridge, which is adapted for seating the cartridge in either an extended position or a retracted position, whereby the axial force from the cartridge is transmitted to the barrel in the extended position. A biasing mechanism biases the cartridge towards the extended or retracted positions.

Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a retractable cartridge having a nib, a force-actuable device that is actuated by a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge from the nib, a retraction for retracting the cartridge, a button for actuating the retraction mechanism, and a decoupling mechanism for biasing the button away from coupled engagement with the retraction mechanism and thereby the force-actuable device.