Abstract: An electronic pen for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a retractable cartridge having a nib, an automatic retraction mechanism for automatically retracting the cartridge, and a processor for controlling the automatic retraction mechanism. The processor is configured to automatically retract the cartridge in response to predetermined pen conditions.

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: 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: The present invention is directed toward a sensing device that reads coded data off of a surface. Interaction data is generated from the read coded data and the interaction data is processed in accordance with the image portion of the image that is extracted from an image sensor.

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 monolithic image sensing device, including an image sensor for sensing image data; timing circuitry for generating at least one internal timing signal, the image sensor being responsive to at least one of the internal timing signals to at least commence sensing of the image data; and at least one external timing signal; at least one external pin for supplying the at least one external timing signal to at least one peripheral device.

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 force sensor 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 has a housing for a load beating 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 transmits the input force to the load bearing member. The coupling has an inner section for transmitting the input force to the load beating member, an outer section for receiving an applied contact force and a collapsible section for allowing the outer section to move relative to the inner section when the contact force exceeds a threshold. This protects the force sensor from damage by sharp impact loads such as dropping the stylus on its nib.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit comprising a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light; a storage node having first and second node terminals, the first node terminal being connected to the photodetector to receive the signal such that charge stored in the node changes during an integration period of the photodetecting circuit; 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; the photodetecting circuit being configured to receive a reset signal; integrate charge in the storage node during an integration period following receipt of the reset signal; and receive a compensation signal at the second terminal of the storage node at least during the read period, the compensation signal increasing the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning coded data indicative of a plurality of locations disposed on a surface is provided. The device generates interaction data based on the sensed coded data. The scanning device comprises a laser source for exposing a coded data portion, a photodetector, an analog to digital converter, a framestore, an image processor and a host processor.

Abstract: A monolithic image sensing device including an image processor, the integrated circuit being configured to operate in a system having a host processor, the image processor being configured to receive, from the host processor, a request for access to a next available frame of image data from a framestore; in the event the frame of image data is available, sending a message to the host processor indicative of the image data's availability; and in the event the frame of image data is not available, waiting until it is available and then sending a message to the host processor indicative of the image data's availability.

Abstract: A monolithic image sensing device, including an image sensor for sensing image data; timing circuitry for generating at least one internal timing signal, the image sensor being responsive to at least one of the internal timing signals to at least commence sensing of the image data; and at least one external timing signal; at least one external pin for supplying the at least one external timing signal to at least one peripheral device.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit for use in a system having a host processor, the integrated circuit including at least one input pin for receiving command data from the host processor; at least one output pin for transmitting processed image data to the host processor in response to the command data; and an image processor configured to generate the processed image data by performing an image-processing function on image data captured by an image sensor.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit comprising an image sensor for sensing image information; at least one analog to digital converter for converting analog signals corresponding to the image information into digital image data; and an image processor, the image processor including a range expansion circuit for range expanding the digital image data.

Abstract: A photodetecting circuit comprising a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light; a storage node having first and second node terminals, the first node terminal being connected to the photodetector to receive the signal such that charge stored in the node changes during an integration period of the photodetecting circuit; 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; the photodetecting circuit being configured to receive a reset signal; integrate charge in the storage node during an integration period following receipt of the reset signal; and receive a compensation signal at the second terminal of the storage node at least during the read period, the compensation signal increasing the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit including an image sensor for capturing image information; at least one analog to digital convertor for converting analog signals corresponding to the image information into digital image data; and an image processor, the image processor including a low-pass filter for filtering the image data, thereby to generate filtered image data.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit comprising an image processor configured to make each of a series of frames of image data available to a host processor, the image processor being configured to receive a first message from the host processor indicative of the host processor not requiring further access to the image data prior to a subsequent frame synchronisation signal; in response to the first message, causing at least part of the integrated circuit to enter a low power mode; and in response to a frame synchronisation signal, cause the part of the integrated circuit in the low power mode to exit the low power mode.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit including an image sensor for capturing image information; at least one analog to digital converter for converting analog signals corresponding to the image information into digital image data; and a first framestore for storing frames of the digital image data.

Abstract: A scanning device for: scanning coded data disposed on a surface; and generating interaction data based on the sensed coded data, the interaction data being indicative of interaction of the scanning device with the surface; the coded data including, at a plurality of locations on the interface surface, a corresponding plurality of coded data portions, the scanning device comprising: