Abstract: A stylus for entering data on a touch-screen computing device. The stylus includes a conductive tip that creates capacitive coupling between the stylus and the touch-screen of the computing device. The conductive tip may also be heated and include a passive or active heating element. Additionally, a dock for the stylus may be provided for the computing device to recharge the battery of the stylus and also provide storage for the stylus when not in use.

Abstract: An untethered device is configured to inductively couple to a source device. The source device includes a driver circuit configured to generate a varying magnetic field and comprising a drive coil circuit. A phase detector is coupled to the driver circuit and configured to detect a phase of an input impedance of the driver circuit in response to the source device inductively coupling with the resonant circuit of the untethered device. A controller is coupled to the phase detector and the driver circuit, and is configured to adjust a frequency of a source voltage applied to the driver circuit in response to an output signal of the phase detector. The controller adjusts the source voltage frequency so that the phase of the input impedance as indicated by the output signal of the phase detector is substantially zero.

Abstract: A position indicator for use in a pen tablet device includes a coil for emitting a position indicating signal. The coil includes: a first conductive wire wound from a distal end portion thereof to a proximal end portion thereof in a predetermined rotational direction; and a second conductive wire wound from a proximal end portion thereof to a distal end portion thereof in the predetermined rotational direction, wherein the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire are connected to each other at the proximal end portions thereof, and the wound first conductive wire and the wound second conductive wire are disposed alternately adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A first planar input unit includes a transparent first substrate and a transparent second substrate that are stacked on each other. On an electrode formation surface of the first substrate, transparent Y-driving electrodes and transparent shielding layers are formed. On an electrode formation surface of the second substrate, X-driving electrodes and first detection electrodes are formed. At the rear of the first substrate, a display unit, such as a liquid crystal panel, is provided. Since the shielding layers are located between the display unit and the first detection electrodes, a change in the potential of the first detection electrodes is prevented from being adversely affected by noise emitted from the display unit.

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 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 transmits the input force to the load bearing member and, a compressible reservoir containing dilatant fluid mounted between the housing and the coupling restricts the input force to the load bearing member caused by shock loading to the coupling. This protects the force sensor from damage by sharp impact loads such as dropping the stylus on its nib.

Abstract: An untethered device is configured to inductively couple to a source device. The source device includes a driver circuit configured to generate a varying magnetic field and comprising a drive coil circuit. A phase detector is coupled to the driver circuit and configured to detect a phase of an input impedance of the driver circuit in response to the source device inductively coupling with the resonant circuit of the untethered device. A controller is coupled to the phase detector and the driver circuit, and is configured to adjust a frequency of a source voltage applied to the driver circuit in response to an output signal of the phase detector. The controller adjusts the source voltage frequency so that the phase of the input impedance as indicated by the output signal of the phase detector is substantially zero.

Abstract: A method for measuring a velocity of a conductor pressing on a capacitive sensor. The method includes: sampling a capacitance of a sensing electrode at each preset time; providing a threshold value; and determining the velocity of the conductor pressing on the capacitive sensor according to a specific period, wherein the specific period is defined as a period of time ranging from the time when the capacitance reaches the threshold value to the time when the capacitance reaches a peak value.

Abstract: A touch sensor includes a contact sensor and a pressure sensor. The contact sensor includes a first electrode and a first switching element connected to the first electrode, and detects a change in an electric potential when an object contacts a surface. The pressure sensor includes a second electrode and a second switching element connected to the second electrode, and detects a change in a pressure when an object depresses the surface. The touch sensor includes a plurality of the contact sensors and a plurality of the pressure sensors disposed regularly in an array.

Abstract: An X-Y digitizer system is described for embedding within a host device, such as a tablet PC, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or the like. The digitizer is configurable so that it can detect and track the position of different types of position indicator. The digitizer that is described also includes novel digitizer windings and novel excitation circuitry for energizing the windings.

Abstract: Motion of a writing instrument is tracked from sensors located in the vicinity. The signals generated from the sensors are processed and used in a wide variety of ways.

Abstract: An electronic stylus emits an excitation signal to apply to a trace of a capacitive touchpad module near a touch point when the electronic stylus touches the capacitive touchpad module, so as to change a waveform of a charging/discharging signal in the trace, and depending on the waveform variation, the capacitive touchpad module can identify the touch point.

Abstract: A computer tablet includes a wireless receiver, and a pen is configured to be manipulated by a person to ride against the computer tablet and thereby provide input to the computer tablet. The pen includes a wireless transmitter. A processor associated with the computer tablet outputs an alarm when a signal from the transmitter of the pen is not sensed by the computer tablet within a time period.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for varying capacitance which pertains to the field of application of electronic devices and components. The technical essentials of the present invention lie in that: two dielectrics are disposed in parallel with an isolation layer interposed therebetween; the two dielectrics each are connected to an electrode at the same one end face thereof; the other end face of each of the two dielectrics is provided with an elastic conductive pad; a gasket is provided between the two dielectrics and the elastic conductive pads. The relative position and compressed area between the elastic conductive pads and the dielectrics vary according to the magnitude of the external force so that the capacitance between the electrodes of the dielectrics is varied accordingly within a certain range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus adapted to ensure that contact from a stylus will be detected on a low resolution touch sensor panel irrespective of the location of the region of contact upon the touch surface. In some embodiments, a metallic or otherwise conductive disk may be attached to one end of the stylus. The disk may be sized so as to guarantee sufficient electrical interaction with at least one sensory element of the touch sensor panel. In some embodiments, the stylus may be powered so as to provide a stimulus signal to the capacitive elements. Optionally, one or more force and/or angle sensors disposed within the stylus can supply additional data to the touch panel.

Abstract: A capacitive input device, capable of stably adjusting the sensitivity of a counter electrode to improve the operability of the input device, and of improving the appearance of an electric apparatus is provided. In the input device, a conductive material is arranged between a counter electrode and an inner surface of a casing.

Abstract: A touch pad module to implement user input functions to an electronic device is disclosed. The touch pad module includes a sensor layer which, when used in conjunction with an insulative layer and contiguous conductive layer enable the touch pad module to sense both finger and stylus input data to the electronic device.

Abstract: A pen or stylus for use with a finger activated computer touchpad uses capacitively coupled voltage signals to simulate the capacitive effect of a finger on the touchpad. In addition, the pen has buttons that can be utilized to capacitively couple control signals to the touchpad that are interpreted by application software as specific user-defined inputs. The pen has a conductive tip that is placed into contact with the touchpad. By biasing the touchpad electrodes with a properly timed voltage signal, the pen alters the charging time of the electrodes in the touchpad. This alteration in charging time is interpreted by the touchpad as a change in capacitance due to the presence of a user's finger. Thus, the pen can be used with touchpads that were designed to only detect finger movements.

Abstract: An untethered electrostatic pen/stylus for use with capacitive touch sensors, described herein, allows for a single device like the iPhone to receive input via both finger touches and a stylus. Stylus input is more precise for various uses including, for example, text input and drawing input.

Abstract: An electrical touch sensor is provided. The electrical touch sensor includes: a touch detection part having at least one touch pad and generating a first signal having a same delay time regardless of whether the object is in contact with the touch pad and a second signal having a varied delay time according to whether the object is in contact with the touch pad; and a contact signal generator generating a contact signal in response to the delay time-difference between the first and second signals. Therefore, it is possible to increase operation reliability by precisely determining whether the object is in contact with the pad, when the object has charge accumulation characteristics more than a certain level, although its conductive is insufficient. In addition, the electrical touch sensor can determine whether the object is in contact with the pad using only one pad to reduce a layout area of a product.

Abstract: This invention provides a capacitive stylus pen including a conductive plate, a joint and a conductive pen body is provided, wherein the joint is connected between the conductive plate and the conductive pen body such that the conductive pen body could move around the conductive plate. In another embodiment, a capacitive stylus pen includes a conductive pen body and a universal joint connected to the conductive pen body, wherein the universal joint has at least a quasi-flat surface such that the universal joint has both functions of the conductive plate and the joint mentioned above. Thus, the capacitive stylus pens mentioned above both provide convenience to use by position input.

Abstract: A pen-type computer includes a pen barrel, a sensor, a primary processor, and a storage device. The pen barrel has a writing tip. The sensor is disposed in the pen barrel, sensing movement of the writing tip and generating a tracking signal corresponding to the movement of the writing tip. The primary processor is disposed in the pen barrel, encoding the tracking signal into data and storing the data in the storage device.

Abstract: A dielectric (16) is housed in a chassis (15) having an opening (22) and a main face portion (23). The dielectric (16) is formed with a hole (30) extending from a first surface (28) to a second surface (29) thereof, and the main face portion (23) of the chassis (15) is formed with a through-hole (25). A conductive pin (17) is inserted into the hole (30) and the through-hole (25) with one end portion thereof projected to the outside of the chassis (15) from the main face portion (23). Further, the electrode portion (32) of the lead electrode (18) is interposed between the second surface (29) of the dielectric (16) and the main face portion (23) of the chassis (15), and a terminal piece (33) of the lead electrode (18) is projected toward the outside from the main face portion (23) of the chassis (15). Further, a conductive elastic member (19) is arranged to approach the first surface (28) of the dielectric (16).

Abstract: A handheld electronic device comprising a main body, a stylus and a non-contact sensor is provided. The main body has a containing slot, and the stylus having a sensing region is suitable for being inserted into the containing slot. The non-contact sensor is disposed beside the containing slot. The non-contact sensor outputs a sensing signal for identifying the position of the stylus when the stylus moves in the containing slot and the sensing region of the stylus passes the non-contact sensor. By detecting the position of the stylus in a non-contact manner, the reliability and the lifetime of the handheld electronic device are improved, and a higher sensing precision is also provided.

Abstract: A position pointed on a coordinate input region is detected by using first and second sensor units provided in the vicinities of both ends of one side of a coordinate input region, and angle information representing directions of shadows, which are areas light-shielded by pointing performing by two pointing instructions. The shadows are detected according to a light amount distribution, which is obtained from optical units of the first and second sensor units. Additionally, the coordinates of positions located by the two pointing instructions can be calculated by using 1) a combination of pieces of angle information on the shadows detected by a combination of the optical units of the different sensor units and 2) a combination of pieces of angle information on the shadows detected by a combination of the optical units of the same sensor units.

Abstract: A position indicator includes a case (2), and a rod (3) housed in the case (2). The rod (3) is passed through a cylindrical ferrite core (6) so that its indicating portion (31) (e.g., pen tip) protrudes from an end of the ferrite core (6). A position detecting coil (4) is wound around the periphery of the ferrite core (6). A switch section (5) (e.g., pressure detector) for detecting the pen pressure of the rod (3) is arranged on the other end of the ferrite core (6). An elastic shock-absorbing member (7) is also attached to the other end of the ferrite core (6), so that the shock-absorbing member (7) is fitted between the ferrite core (6) and the switch section (5). Since any impact force applied to the ferrite core (6) and the rod (3) is alleviated by the shock-absorbing member (7), damage to the ferrite core (6) and the rod (3) can be prevented or reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pen/stylus apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, among others, a pen/stylus apparatus comprises a chamber configured to receive a pen, a holding element having a shaft, the holding element configured to retain the pen in a partially-ejected position, a button having a retainer, the retainer configured to retain the shaft when the pen is completely-inserted in the chamber, and a biasing element adjacent to the holding element, the biasing element configured to eject the holding element to a position corresponding to the partially-ejected position of the pen when the retainer is released from the shaft.

Abstract: An electronic whiteboard with built-in membrane antenna array lattice electromagnetic induction layer includes: a writing input portion; a covering frame provided around the periphery of the electronic whiteboard; and a control circuit; wherein, the writing input portion has multilayer structure and is enclosed in the frame, the said writing input portion includes a surface writing layer, an underlayer, and an input induction layer which is connected to the control circuit by its output; the said induction layer may be the antenna array printed on the insulation membrane and arranged along the X, Y axes, therein the area enclosed by each lattice unit constitutes one induction cell.

Abstract: In a position detecting apparatus, electric power of a position pointer is turned on only when the position pointer is put within a particular range from a tablet to minimize consumption of a battery disposed in the position pointer. When the position pointer is brought close to the tablet, a control signal transmitted from the tablet is detected by a resonant circuit of the position pointer, and MOSFETs serving as a power switch are turned on by the detected signal. In response, electric power is supplied from a battery via the MOSFETs to circuit elements of the position pointer, and thus an operation of the position pointer starts.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is disclosed. The interactive apparatus has an audio recording mode and an audio playback mode. Further, the interactive apparatus includes a writing tool for manually writing on an encoded writing medium, an audio input device for recording audio, an audio output device for playing the recorded audio. Moreover, the interactive apparatus has an optical unit for determining position on the encoded writing medium of the writing tool and for recognizing information on the encoded writing medium, wherein recognition of a recording-enabling graphical element on the encoded writing medium activates the audio recording mode and enables time-synchronization of creation of writing on the encoded writing medium with the writing tool and recording of the audio, and further wherein recognition of a playback-enabling graphical element on the encoded writing medium activates the audio playback mode and enables multiple techniques to control playback of the recorded audio.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to haptic devices for use with a variety of computer/video interface devices. Such haptic devices can work in conjunction with and thereby provide “haptic augmentations” to otherwise conventional user-interface devices, including a variety of computer mice known in the art, irrespective of their types and manufactures. Such haptic devices can also be used to convey information to a user by way of haptic sensations.

Abstract: Motion of a writing instrument is tracked from sensors located in the vicinity. The signals generated from the sensors are processed and used in a wide variety of ways.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing apparatus. The capacitive sensing apparatus comprises a first set of interdigitated conductive traces. Additionally, the capacitive sensing apparatus comprises a second set of interdigitated conductive traces that are intertwined with the first set of interdigitated conductive traces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting power to active touch stimulating devices associated with a touch sensing apparatus. In this invention four methods of providing power supply to the touch-input device are presented. These methods are: EM induction transmission using a single loop antenna, EM induction transmission using a conductive layer, acoustic transmission through air, and acoustic transmission through an acoustic conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of generating a signal comprising providing a capacitive touch sensor pad including a matrix of X and Y conductors, developing capacitance profiles in one of an X direction and a Y direction from the matrix of X and Y conductors, determining an occurrence of a single gesture through an examination of the capacitance profiles, the single gesture including an application of at least two objects on the capacitive touch sensor pad, and generating a signal indicating the occurrence of the single gesture.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is constructed to include a plurality of information recording media respectively having a generally paper shape with an image display surface for displaying various information, a holding part which holds a holding portion of each of the information recording media which are stacked, an input part for accepting an input of various information by handwriting on an arbitrary one of the information recording media, a recognizing part for recognizing the identification information recorded on the arbitrary information recording medium, a storing part for storing the various information accepted by the input part and the identification information recognized by the recognizing part in an information storage medium by linking corresponding various information and identification information, and an output part for outputting the various information stored in the information storage medium with respect to a storage which stores various information at storage locations specified in

Abstract: A touch sensing apparatus for receiving input from one or more touch stimulating devices employs a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signaling arrangement to transmit signals from the touch stimulating devices for identification and location determination. Active devices are powered by an EM field and generate a touch stimulating signal that is spread spectrum encoded for identification, and signal pickups in a propagation layer receive the touch stimulation signals which are identified by the DSSS encoding and located using received signal strength (RSS) techniques. Semi-active devices are powered by an EM field and receive code instructions to generate specific spread spectrum signals and generate a touch-stimulating signal. Touch stimulating devices are either tethered or tether-free, and powered by batteries or EM fields.

Abstract: An arithmetic control circuit stores a set of coordinate values of a plurality of points for defining a coordinate input area in an arbitrary space in advance, and determines whether a three-dimensional coordinate value as the position coordinates of the indicating tool belongs to the coordinate input area defined by the stored set of coordinate values. The three-dimensional coordinates of the indicating tool are then converted into a two-dimensional coordinate value corresponding to a display window on the basis of the determination result obtained by a determination unit.

Abstract: This communicator makes it possible for the user to do telephone, facsimile, and data communication at any location. On a pen input device, a space eye 2, a telephone control system, a facsimile control system, and a data transmission system are mounted. All of them are operated by an input pen 55 or the space eye 2. The pen input device is connected to a wireless telephone equipment 7, and can be connected to a desired party through the public communication channel. In order to make the most of the equipment of a GPS user, the GPS user device 8 is connected to the pen input device 3. The current location of the GPS user is found through the GPS user device 8, and the data on the current location is transmitted to the party. Further, to make this communicator usable in any country, it is provided with means to connect it to a wireless telephone network of an individual service area of the country.

Abstract: A position detector is provided for detecting the relative movement of first and second members which are mounted for relative movement along a measuring path. One of the members comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field and the other member comprises first and second conductors which are inductively coupled to said magnetic field generator. The arrangement of the first and second conductors and the magnetic field generator is such that output signals are generated in a first and second receive circuits whose position varies with the relative movement between the two members. In addition to carrying information relating to the relative position between the two members, the signals induced in the receive circuits also comprise information defining the relative orientation of the two movable members, and by suitable processing of the received signals the relative orientation of the two members can also be determined.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to interactive hypermedia systems and more particularly to a method and system for locating on a physical document items referenced in another physical document. The present invention discloses a method and system for creating hyperlinks from items (e.g. words, pictures, foot notes, symbols, icons) on a first physical document to particular points on a second physical document (manuscript or printed document), for activating these hyperlinks simply by touching the first document, and for highlighting by means of a light emitting source, the position of the items on the second document. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses a method and system for highlighting on a hard-copy map the geographic positions of places referenced in a hard-copy document.

Abstract: An electronic device has a cavity in which a stylus can be slidably inserted. The stylus has a retaining slot thereon. Being inserted in the cavity, the stylus firstly pushes a retainer to be moved resiliently. The stylus further presses on a stylus-releasing device that terminates the cavity, thereby engaging the stylus-releasing device in a stable configuration with a resilient force. Meanwhile the retainer inserts into the retaining slot of the stylus to hold and immobilize the stylus in the cavity. To extract the stylus, a short pressing action is exerted on the stylus, which disengages the stylus-releasing device from the stable configuration, thereby the stylus-releasing device exerts a resilient force on the stylus that is ejected partially out of the cavity to facilitate a grasp of the stylus.

Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is constructed to include a plurality of information recording media respectively having a generally paper shape with an image display surface for displaying various information, a holding part which holds a holding portion of each of the information recording media which are stacked, an input part for accepting an input of various information by handwriting on an arbitrary one of the information recording media, a recognizing part for recognizing the identification information recorded on the arbitrary information recording medium, a storing part for storing the various information accepted by the input part and the identification information recognized by the recognizing part in an information storage medium by linking corresponding various information and identification information, and an output part for outputting the various information stored in the information storage medium with respect to a storage which stores various information at storage locations specified in

Abstract: A three-dimensional information sensor device is disclosed in which sensor coils thereof are sequentially selected by a control section. Signals are communicated between indicating coils of a three-dimensional information indicating device and sensor coils by electromagnetic coupling. The signals received by each of the selected coils are detected by detecting means. The position and the direction of the indicating device in a three-dimensional apace are calculated by control means based on the detected signals.

Abstract: A circuit assembly for providing a switch sensor and a capacitive sensor. The circuit assembly has a first pattern of conductive material in a first plane and a second pattern of conductive material in a second plane. An insulating member in an intermediate plane separates the first and second patterns. In a switch sensor area, the insulating member has openings to allow a first conductive element in the first pattern to contact a second conductive element in the second pattern responsive a force being applied to the first conductive element. In the capacitive sensor area, the insulating member maintains spacing between conductive material in the first and second patterns. The circuit assembly also includes a preventative capacitance configuration that limits non-intentional capacitive coupling in the capacitive sensor area.

Abstract: A display unit with a touch panel to move a touch-driven member such as a functional button to a desired position through a touch operation. By touching a draggable icon displayed on a screen with a finger, the icon is changed in color to indicate that the user can drag the icon. Then, by pushing the icon, the icon is changed in size and color to indicate that the user can drag the icon. As by reducing the pushing force to touch on the icon, and moving the finger, the icon is dragged following the finger. As by pushing the icon with the finger at a predetermined position, the icon is set at this position and changed in size and color. When releasing the finger from the icon, the icon is settled at this position.

Abstract: In an input pen having a pen-shaped casing, a ferrite core with a coil wound thereon and a ferrite chip are placed opposed to each other with an O-ring therebetween. The ferrite chip has a projection. When the input pen is operated, the projection and the ferrite core are moved closer together. When the ferrite chip is moved closer to the ferrite core during operation, the projection is placed substantially close to the ferrite core. Therefore, high responsivity is ensured without moving the ferrite chip into the coil, and there is no need to form an opening or a cavity in the ferrite core.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the location of user input is disclosed. The apparatus may include a display unit including a screen having a resistive coating disposed on its surface. The apparatus may utilize a sensing signal emanating from the screen through the resistive coating. A sensor array may be disposed about the screen, and sensing electronics are provided to determine the location of user input on the screen by sensing localized deviations in the amplitude of the sensing signal.

Abstract: A pen input apparatus includes a plurality of penpoints for drawing tracks on a recording medium such as paper, and a selector for selecting a specific penpoint from the plurality of penpoints. The input apparatus including a type recognition unit for recognizing the type of the selected penpoint (such as the color of a line which can be drawn, the thickness of the line, pen type such as ballpoint pen, sign pen or fluorescent pen), and a transmitter for transmitting the track of the penpoint as position information, and transmitting the information on the type recognized by the type recognition unit to a computer system.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a position detection device and method for use in a plane surface to determine the position of a capacitive coupling device. Two arrays of row and column conductive wires form two layers on a substrate, said two layers are isolated by an insulated layer; between each two row wires there is a common row wire; between each two column wires there is a common column wire. Said common row and common column wires are connected to a common row terminal and common column terminal respectively. AC signal is applied to two adjacent wires sequentially to determine point P is between row k and row k+1. Then AC signal is applied to row k only, and then applied to row k+1 only, to determine point P is near row k or row k+1. Finally, apply AC signal to common rows and then to all rows to determine point P is closed to row wire or common wire. Then repeats the above process for the columns. By combining the above processes the position in a two-dimensional space is determined.