Proportional force input apparatus for an electronic device
First Claim
1. A proportional force input apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
- a mechanism operable by a user of the electronic device, the mechanism provides a tactile feedback to the user proportional to a force applied by the user;
a variable strength sensor that detects the force applied by the user to the mechanism and converts this to an electrical signal proportional to the force applied by the user;
a processor electrically coupled to the variable strength sensor, the processor operable to input the electric signal from the variable strength sensor and provide force information to an application running on the electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A proportional force input apparatus for an electronic device includes a mechanism operable by a user of the electronic device, such as a stylus inserted into a spring-loaded socket of the device. The mechanism provides a tactile feedback to the user proportional to a force applied by the user. A variable strength sensor detects the force applied by the user to the mechanism and converts this to an electrical signal proportional to the force applied by the user. A processor operates to input the electric signal from the variable strength sensor and provide force information to an application running on the electronic device. Optionally, a second sensor can detect rotation of the stylus. As a result, a stylus can be used to provide vector information to an application such as a game.
38 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A proportional force input apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
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a mechanism operable by a user of the electronic device, the mechanism provides a tactile feedback to the user proportional to a force applied by the user;
a variable strength sensor that detects the force applied by the user to the mechanism and converts this to an electrical signal proportional to the force applied by the user;
a processor electrically coupled to the variable strength sensor, the processor operable to input the electric signal from the variable strength sensor and provide force information to an application running on the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A proportional force input apparatus for a communication device with a display and a stylus for interacting with the display, the apparatus comprising:
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a mechanism disposed in the device, the mechanism including a spring-loaded socket adapted to receive and engage the stylus, when engaged the stylus includes a portion thereof extending outward from the device for manipulation by the user, the socket has a neutral linear position and is operable to move against the spring in either of opposite linear directions with the spring providing increased force against the stylus as the stylus is pushed inward into the device from the neutral position and as the stylus is pulled outward from the device from the neutral position;
a variable strength sensor that detects the linear force applied by the stylus to the socket and converts this to an electrical signal proportional to the force applied by the user;
a processor electrically coupled to the variable strength sensor, the processor operable to input the electric signal from the variable strength sensor and provide force information to an application running on the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A proportional force input apparatus for a communication device utilizing an existing stylus therefor, the apparatus comprising:
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a mechanism disposed in the device, the mechanism including a spring-loaded socket adapted to receive and engage the stylus and provide a tactile feedback to the user proportional to a force applied by the user with the stylus, when engaged the stylus includes a portion thereof extending outward from the device for manipulation by the user;
two sensors coupled to the mechanism, the sensors detect orthogonal motions of the stylus resulting from force applied to the stylus by the user and converts these motions to two electrical signals proportional to the respective motions;
a processor electrically coupled to the sensors, the processor operable to input the electric signals from the sensors and provide vector information to an application running on the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification