Stylus Adapted For Low Resolution Touch Sensor Panels
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing input to a capacitive sensor array, the apparatus comprising:
- a shaft;
a pivot structure connected to one end of the shaft; and
an actuator connected to the pivot structure, wherein the shaft is adapted to pivot about the pivot structure to enable the actuator to maintain contact with a surface as the shaft is moved through different orientations,wherein a size of the actuator is selected so as to enable detection by one or more sensors of the capacitive sensor array upon contact with the surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
233 Citations
38 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing input to a capacitive sensor array, the apparatus comprising:
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a shaft; a pivot structure connected to one end of the shaft; and an actuator connected to the pivot structure, wherein the shaft is adapted to pivot about the pivot structure to enable the actuator to maintain contact with a surface as the shaft is moved through different orientations, wherein a size of the actuator is selected so as to enable detection by one or more sensors of the capacitive sensor array upon contact with the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An input device adapted to provide input to a sensor array optimized for touch input, the input device comprising:
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a control member; and an articulated contact member, wherein the articulated contact member is adapted to drive one or more sensors within the sensor array upon contact with a surface, and wherein the articulated contact member is adapted to maintain contact with the surface while moving across the surface as the shaft is moved through different orientations. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A capacitive sensor array capable of detecting a touch event, comprising:
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a plurality of spatially separated first lines arranged in a first orientation; and a plurality of spatially separated second lines arranged in a second orientation different from the first orientation, each of the first lines connected to a charge amplifier; wherein the plurality of first lines are selectively configurable for switching between (1) a drive mode in which the first lines are connected to stimulation signals to detect touch events from a passive object, and (2) a sense mode in which the first lines are connected to charge amplifiers to detect touch events from a powered stylus generating the stimulation signals. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of enabling input detection in a sensor array optimized for touch input, the method comprising:
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driving one or more sensors in the sensor array with an articulated device when a contact structure of the articulated device makes contact with a surface; determining a set of one or more sensors that have been driven as a result of the contact; and generating input based at least in part upon the set of driven sensors. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A mobile telephone including an input device for providing input to a capacitive sensor array, the input device comprising:
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a shaft; a pivot structure connected to one end of the shaft; and an actuator connected to the pivot structure, wherein the shaft is adapted to pivot about the pivot structure to enable the actuator to maintain contact with a surface as the shaft is moved through different orientations, and wherein a size of the first actuator is selected to as to enable detection by one or more sensors of the capacitive sensor array upon contact with the surface.
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37. A media player including an input device for providing input to a capacitive sensor array, the input device comprising:
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a shaft; a pivot structure connected to one end of the shaft; and an actuator connected to the pivot structure, wherein the shaft is adapted to pivot about the pivot structure to enable the actuator to maintain contact with a surface as the shaft is moved through different orientations, and wherein a size of the first actuator is selected to as to enable detection by one or more sensors of the capacitive sensor array upon contact with the surface.
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38. A personal computer including an input device for providing input to a capacitive sensor array, the input device comprising:
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a shaft; a pivot structure connected to one end of the shaft; and an actuator connected to the pivot structure, wherein the shaft is adapted to pivot about the pivot structure to enable the actuator to maintain contact with a surface as the shaft is moved through different orientations, and wherein a size of the first actuator is selected to as to enable detection by one or more sensors of the capacitive sensor array upon contact with the surface.
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Specification