LIGHT-EMITTING STYLUS AND USER INPUT DEVICE USING SAME
First Claim
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1. A stylus for use with a light-sensitive user input device, comprising:
- a light-emitting module configured to emit a first light beam through a tip of the stylus when the tip is not in contact with an input surface of the input device, and configured to emit a second light beam through the tip of the stylus when the tip sufficiently contacts the input surface, the second light beam having a beam spread that differs from a beam spread of the first light beam, the difference in beam spread being detectable by the light sensitive user input device.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a light-emitting stylus configured to abruptly change a property of an emitted light beam when the stylus sufficiently contacts a surface. The abrupt change in the light beam is detectable by an array of light sensitive detectors that can be used to determine the position of the light beam when the light beam is transmitted through an input surface. When the stylus contacts the input surface, the detectors can detect the abrupt change in the emitted light, signaling a change from a stylus hover mode to a stylus touch down mode.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A stylus for use with a light-sensitive user input device, comprising:
a light-emitting module configured to emit a first light beam through a tip of the stylus when the tip is not in contact with an input surface of the input device, and configured to emit a second light beam through the tip of the stylus when the tip sufficiently contacts the input surface, the second light beam having a beam spread that differs from a beam spread of the first light beam, the difference in beam spread being detectable by the light sensitive user input device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A stylus for use with a light-sensitive user input device, comprising:
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a stylus body having a tip; a light emitter disposed in the stylus body; a moveable member slidably engaged with the stylus body, the moveable member being configured to shape light emitted by the light emitter into a first light beam when the moveable member is in an extended position and into a second light beam when the moveable member is in a retracted position, the first and second light beams differing in an amount of beam spread. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system, comprising:
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a light-emitting stylus having a tip, the stylus being configured to emit a first light beam when the stylus is in a hover mode and a second light beam when the stylus is in an inking mode, the first and second light beams differing in an amount of beam spread; and a light-sensitive user input device including an input surface and including a sensor array configured to detect light emitted by the stylus and configured to distinguish between the first light beam and the second light beam. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification