Abstract: A tip and stylus for a capacitive sensor are provided. The stylus includes a stylus body, an amplifier circuit, and a tip. The tip includes a first electrode, an insulating element, a second electrode, and a shield. The first electrode has a thread element at a distal end of the first electrode. The second electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stylus, the longitudinal axis being parallel with a central axis of the stylus. The shield is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically insulated from the shield by a cap layer, in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the shield selectively move in response to the tip of the stylus contacting a touch screen having the capacitive sensor in accordance to an angle of contact and a contact force.

Abstract: Embodiments of amplifiers and electrodes for capacitive styluses are disclosed. The amplifiers detect an input signal from a capacitive touch sensor, such as a touchscreen or touchpad, amplify and invert the signal, and emit the amplified and inverted signal to cause the capacitive touch sensor to detect a touch. The electrode sets, or tips, pair a sensing electrode and an emitting electrode, shielded from each other to limit interference, in a fine-point non-deforming configuration that improves usability over existing stylus tips.

Abstract: Embodiments of a force sensing resistor (FSR) are disclosed. The FSR has one or more external conductive layers, applied to at least part of the contact surface of the FSR, so that when a conductive probe presses the FSR, initial zero-force contact with the FSR can be detected immediately. The external conductive layer or layers may be rigid sheet metal, flexible sheet metal, metallic-coated polymer, conductive polymer, conductive elastomer, or other conductive material. A lead or trace may be electrically coupled to the external conductive layer or layers to allow for ease of coupling to a circuit or circuit board.

Abstract: Embodiments of amplifiers and electrodes for capacitive styluses are disclosed. The amplifiers detect an input signal from a capacitive touch sensor, such as a touchscreen or touchpad, amplify and invert the signal, and emit the amplified and inverted signal to cause the capacitive touch sensor to detect a touch. The electrode sets, or tips, pair a sensing electrode and an emitting electrode, shielded from each other to limit interference, in a fine-point non-deforming configuration that improves usability over existing stylus tips.

Abstract: Embodiments of a battery charger and methods for operating same are disclosed. The charger has a plurality of charging pins, and a device to be charged may be plugged into the charger in multiple orientations. The charger detects the device's orientation and sets the states of its charging pins appropriately to charge the device. Optionally, the charger may have additional pins, likewise settable according to a device's orientation, for supplying power and/or communications to the device during charging.

Abstract: Embodiments of a magnetic switch assembly and a stylus having the magnetic switch assembly are disclosed. The magnetic switch assembly includes a charging apparatus and a switching apparatus. The charging apparatus includes a housing, a first spring, a first magnet, a second magnet, an insulator layer, and a ball member. The first magnet, the second magnet, and the insulator layer form a recess region with the ball member situated in the center of the recess region. The switching apparatus includes a button, a second spring, and a metal plate. The button includes a contact part and an insulating part. The metal plate has a contact pad disposed on the metal plate. When the button is situated in the recess region of the charging apparatus, power is supplied from the charging apparatus to a power source electrically connected to the metal plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of a force sensing resistor (FSR) are disclosed. The FSR has one or more external conductive layers, applied to at least part of the contact surface of the FSR, so that when a conductive probe presses the FSR, initial zero-force contact with the FSR can be detected immediately. The external conductive layer or layers may be rigid sheet metal, flexible sheet metal, metallic-coated polymer, conductive polymer, conductive elastomer, or other conductive material. A lead or trace may be electrically coupled to the external conductive layer or layers to allow for ease of coupling to a circuit or circuit board.

Abstract: Embodiments of a battery charger and methods for operating same are disclosed. The charger has a plurality of charging pins, and a device to be charged may be plugged into the charger in multiple orientations. The charger detects the device's orientation and sets the states of its charging pins appropriately to charge the device. Optionally, the charger may have additional pins, likewise settable according to a device's orientation, for supplying power and/or communications to the device during charging.

Abstract: Systems and methods and non-transitory computer-readable media are disclosed for differentiating between stylus touches and non-stylus touches on a touchscreen device. A stylus emits a signal, received by the touchscreen device, and software selects a touch, the touch start event for which occurred near the time of the signal, and the size and location of which best fit filters, as being the touch made by the stylus. The software associates that touch with the stylus until the touch ends, or until the stylus emits a signal indicating that contact has ended. The signal may be mechanically generated audio, such as from the stylus contacting the screen, or electronic (audio, RF, IR), generated by the stylus upon detecting pressure or capacitive flux. This allows software to perform palm rejection filtering, to track one stylus or multiple styluses, and to ignore touches triggered by dirt, rain, and other environmental causes.

Abstract: Embodiments of amplifiers and electrodes for capacitive styluses are disclosed. The amplifiers detect an input signal from a capacitive touch sensor, such as a touchscreen or touchpad, amplify and invert the signal, and emit the amplified and inverted signal to cause the capacitive touch sensor to detect a touch. The electrode sets, or tips, pair a sensing electrode and an emitting electrode, shielded from each other to limit interference, in a fine-point non-deforming configuration that improves usability over existing stylus tips.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for differentiating between stylus touches and non-stylus touches on a touchscreen device. A stylus emits a signal, received by the touchscreen device, and software selects a touch, the touch start event for which occurred near the time of the signal, and the size and location of which best fit filters, as being the touch made by the stylus. The software associates that touch with the stylus until the touch ends, or until the stylus emits a signal indicating that contact has ended. The signal may be mechanically generated audio, such as from the stylus contacting the screen, or electronic (audio, RF, IR), generated by the stylus upon detecting pressure or capacitive flux. The methods and systems allow software to perform palm rejection filtering, to track one stylus or multiple styluses, and to ignore touches triggered by dirt, rain, and other environmental causes.

Abstract: Embodiments of magnetic connectors are disclosed. Embodiments show the use of magnetic connectors for power and/or signal bus coupling to electronic devices from support bases, stands, or cables. In some embodiments, spherical contacts, such as ball bearings, are pressed into firm contact with an electronic device by the use of conductive springs, which in turn electrically couple the spherical contacts to the bus lines. Contact arrangements are shown which allow rotation of the electronic device against an embodiment of magnetic connector. Arrangements of multiple magnets having differing polarities are shown when alignment of an electronic device in a particular orientation is required.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multitouch tool for capacitive touchscreens are disclosed. The multitouch tools have a plurality of conductive posts configured to interact with a capacitive touchscreen of an electronic device such that the touchscreen can determine an orientation of the tool. The tools further have a window through which the touchscreen can display an on-screen control. The user can touch the screen either outside the tool's perimeter or through the window in the tool, or both, to interact with on-screen controls that are generated in response to the electronic device detecting and recognizing the pattern of touches generated by the tool.

Abstract: A stylus assembly for a capacitive touch screen provides input via conventional handwriting action. A stylus is attached at a contact end to a disc providing ample capacitive proximity with the touch screen. A layer of capacitive material is embedded within the disc, and may be formed with a distinct shape, layout, or outline to provide a uniquely recognizable capacitive signature. The stylus terminates at the contact end in a received portion, attached to the disc by a receiving portion formed thereon. Free rotation of the received portion within the receiving portion accepts positioning of the stylus body at any angle with no degradation of capacitive proximity, allowing natural handwriting action. The receiving portion can be formed with sufficient flexibility to allow disengagement and re-engagement thereof, enabling simple and low-cost replacement of the disc.

Abstract: A display housing for a portable computing device that utilizes a plastic cover bonded to an internal metal frame is described. To account for thermal cycling issues and in particular to prevent bond slippage, multiple types of adhesives are employed to join the metal frame and the plastic cover. In particular, a very high bond (VHB) adhesive material is used in certain areas to bond the metal inner frame to the plastic cover and a liquid adhesive is used in other areas. The plastic cover can be translucent to light. A method of coating the plastic cover to block light, such as from a backlight used for the display, is described.