Multi-function touch pen for computerized apparatus

• US 20030122803A1
• Filed: 01/03/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compal Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Compal Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Chuang, Wei-Pin
• Granted Patent: US 6,806,868 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A multi-function touch pen includes a pen barrel having a first barrel end portion formed as a touch tip adapted for operating a touch control panel of a computerized apparatus. An electronic device includes an input unit mounted on the pen barrel and operable so as to generate an input signal, a processor disposed in the pen barrel, coupled electrically to the input unit and operable so as to process the input signal, and an output unit mounted on the pen barrel and coupled electrically to and controlled by the processor for generating an output corresponding to the input signal.

Claims

1. A multi-function touch pen for a computerized apparatus with a touch control panel, said touch pen comprising:

a pen barrel having first and second barrel end portions opposite to each other, said first barrel end portion being formed as a touch tip adapted for operating the touch control panel; and

an electronic device including

an input unit mounted on said pen barrel and operable so as to generate an input signal,

a processor disposed in said pen barrel and coupled electrically to said input unit, said processor being operable so as to process the input signal, and

an output unit mounted on said pen barrel and coupled electrically to and controlled by said processor for generating an output corresponding to the input signal.

2. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input unit includes a sound pick-up unit, the input signal being an audio input signal.

3. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 2, wherein said input unit is mounted on said second barrel end portion.

4. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 2, wherein said output unit includes a loudspeaker, the output generated by said output unit being an audio output.

5. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electronic device further includes a memory unit disposed in said pen barrel and coupled electrically to said processor, said memory unit being controlled by said processor to store the input signal from said input unit therein.

6. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 5, wherein said electronic device further includes an operating unit mounted on said pen barrel and coupled electrically to said processor, said operating unit being operable so as control storage and retrieval of the input signal in and from said memory unit by said processor.

7. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 6, wherein said operating unit includes at least one operating key.

8. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 6, wherein said output unit includes a display unit mounted on said pen barrel and coupled electrically to and controlled by said processor to display a code corresponding to a segment of said memory unit being accessed by said processor.

9. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a power source mounted in said pen barrel and coupled electrically to said electronic device.

10. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output unit includes an interface unit adapted to establish a communications link with the computerized apparatus for transmitting the output to the computerized apparatus.

11. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interface unit includes a set of electrical contacts.

12. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interface unit is adapted to establish a wireless communications link with the computerized apparatus.

13. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wireless communications link is an infrared communications link.

14. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wireless communications link complies with the Bluetooth communications standard.

15. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pen barrel is provided with a clip.

16. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input unit includes a temperature sensor, the input signal being a temperature input signal.

17. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 16, wherein said temperature sensor is mounted on said second barrel end portion.

18. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a pen cap mounted removably on said second barrel end portion.

19. The multi-function touch pen as claimed in claim 16, wherein said output unit includes a display unit, the output generated by said output unit being a visual reading corresponding to the temperature input signal.