Pressure sensitive stylus
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
a tip configured to move with respect to the housing based on contact force applied to the tip; and
a pressure sensor configured to detect force applied on the tip based on movement of the tip, wherein the sensor includes;
a first element integrated or fixed to the tip, wherein the first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive;
a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element, wherein the second element is conductive and has elastic properties,wherein one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer between 10 nm and 20 μ
m thick, and wherein the first element is configured to move toward the second element based on force applied on the tip to deform the second element based on the force; and
a circuit configured to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element.
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Accused Products
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.
117 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a housing; a tip configured to move with respect to the housing based on contact force applied to the tip; and a pressure sensor configured to detect force applied on the tip based on movement of the tip, wherein the sensor includes; a first element integrated or fixed to the tip, wherein the first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive; a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element, wherein the second element is conductive and has elastic properties, wherein one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer between 10 nm and 20 μ
m thick, and wherein the first element is configured to move toward the second element based on force applied on the tip to deform the second element based on the force; anda circuit configured to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A stylus comprising:
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a housing; a writing tip configured to move with respect to the housing based on contact force applied the writing tip; and a pressure sensor configured to detect force applied on the writing tip based on movement of the writing tip, wherein the sensor includes; a first element configured to move together with the writing tip, wherein the first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive; a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element, wherein the second element is a conductive elastomer, wherein one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer between 10 nm and 20 μ
m thick, and wherein the first element is configured to move toward the second element based on force applied on the tip deform the second element based on the force; anda circuit configured to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system, comprising:
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a computing device comprising a touch screen; and a stylus comprising; a housing; a writing tip configured to move with respect to the housing based on contact force applied the writing tip; and a pressure sensor configured to detect force applied on the writing tip based on movement of the writing tip, wherein the sensor includes; a first element configured to move together with the writing tip, wherein the first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive; a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element, wherein the second element is a conductive elastomer, wherein one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer between 10 nm and 20 μ
m thick, and wherein the first element is configured to move toward the second element based on force applied on the tip to deform the second element based on the force; anda circuit configured to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification