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: Methods and devices are disclosed for increasing low-force accuracy at a device, such as a pen or a stylus which are used for communicating with a digitizer. An example method describes detecting an amount of force at the tip of the device and generating a voltage associated with the amount of force. The example method further includes logarithmically sampling the voltage to produce a digital value associated with the amount of force and determining whether the device is operating in an inking state based on the digital value. An example device may include a pressure sensor to detect an amount of force and generate a voltage associated with the amount of force, a sampling circuit to sample the voltage to produce a digital value, a memory and a processor in communication with the memory to determine whether the device is operating in an inking state based on the digital value.

Abstract: In various examples there is a capsule of a stylus for operation with a digitizer device. The capsule is sized and shaped to fit within a housing of the stylus and is a modular capsule which can be used in different styli. The capsule comprises a generally cylindrical housing tapered at a tip end and formed from plastics material. The capsule has a stylus tip comprising a tip antenna. The capsule has at least one antenna printed on an outer surface of the housing.

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 handheld device for use with a digitizer sensor includes a writing tip, an integrated circuit configured to generate a signal, a first electrode separated from the writing tip along a longitudinal axis of the handheld device, and a relative angle detection element configured to provide information for determining an angle of the handheld device relative to the digitizer sensor. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the integrated circuit and configured to transmit the signal to the digitizer sensor.

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 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: Methods and devices for communicating or interacting by a pen or a stylus with a digitizer are disclosed. An example method describes determining whether the device is to transmit a first information to the digitizer via the electrode or receive a second information from the digitizer via the electrode. An example device for use with the method includes a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, and an electrode. The method further includes isolating the electrode from the transmitter circuit in response to determining that the device is to receive the second information from the digitizer via the electrode.

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: Methods and devices for communicating or interacting by a pen or a stylus with a digitizer are disclosed. An example method describes determining whether the device is to transmit a first information to the digitizer via the electrode or receive a second information from the digitizer via the electrode. An example device for use with the method includes a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, and an electrode. The method further includes isolating the electrode from the transmitter circuit in response to determining that the device is to receive the second information from the digitizer via the electrode.

Abstract: A method for detecting a signal transmitted by a handheld device includes detecting a signal on first electrodes along a first axis and on second electrodes along a second axis of the digitizer sensor. The method additionally includes detecting hand input on the first electrodes and on third electrodes along the second axis and detecting no hand input on the second electrodes. The hand input detection is based on self-capacitive detection. The signal transmitted by the handheld device on the first electrodes is estimated based on the hand input detected on each of the first and third electrodes, the signal from the handheld device detected on the second electrodes and based on a pre-defined constant. Coordinates of the handheld device are determined based on the signal detected on the second electrodes and the signal estimated. The coordinates are reported to a host computing device associated with the digitizer sensor.

Abstract: Methods and devices for communicating or interacting by a pen or a stylus with a digitizer are disclosed. An example method describes determining whether the device is to transmit a first information to the digitizer via the electrode or receive a second information from the digitizer via the electrode. An example device for use with the method includes a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, and an electrode. The method further includes isolating the electrode from the transmitter circuit in response to determining that the device is to receive the second information from the digitizer via the electrode.

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: The systems, methods, and techniques described herein provide for an improved stylus incorporating a dual-function switch as part of the tail eraser mechanism. A conductive resilient body, when compressed, deforms to contact one or more pairs of electrodes on a printed circuit board, thus creating electrical continuity between the electrodes. A first force causes electrical continuity between a first pair of electrodes which may initiate a first mode of the stylus, such as erase mode. A second force, greater than the first force, causes electrical continuity between a second pair of electrodes which may initiate a second mode of the stylus, such as causing a microcontroller unit to issue a command to a computing device to launch one or more applications or services.

Abstract: The described technology provides a force sensor apparatus. An elastic pad may be disposed between two force sensors with a force applicator extending at least partially into the elastic pad. When a force is applied to a force applicator, the force applicator transmits the force to one or both of the force sensors via the elastic pad. In an implementation, the force sensors may be 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 the applied 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: A handheld device for use with a digitizer sensor includes a writing tip, an integrated circuit configured to generate a signal, a first electrode separated from the writing tip along a longitudinal axis of the handheld device, and a relative angle detection element configured to provide information for determining an angle of the handheld device relative to the digitizer sensor. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the integrated circuit and configured to transmit the signal to the digitizer sensor.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and techniques described herein provide for an improved stylus incorporating a dual-function switch as part of the tail eraser mechanism. A conductive resilient body, when compressed, deforms to contact one or more pairs of electrodes on a printed circuit board, thus creating electrical continuity between the electrodes. A first force causes electrical continuity between a first pair of electrodes which may initiate a first mode of the stylus, such as erase mode. A second force, greater than the first force, causes electrical continuity between a second pair of electrodes which may initiate a second mode of the stylus, such as causing a microcontroller unit to issue a command to a computing device to launch one or more applications or services.

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.