Inductive Charging for Active Stylus

• US 20130106723A1
• Filed: 01/31/2012
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Original Assignee: Atmel Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bakken, Vemund Kval, Pedersen, Trond Jarle, Yilmaz, Esat
• Granted Patent: US 8,947,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

In one embodiment, a stylus includes one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch sensor of the device. The stylus also includes inductive-charging components in or on the stylus for charging or powering the stylus with electromagnetic radiation from inductive-charging components in or on the device. The inductive-charging components in or on the stylus may also charge or power the device by transmitting electromagnetic radiation to the inductive-charging components in or on the device.

Claims

1. A stylus comprising:

one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch sensor of the device; and

a first inductive-charging component in or on the stylus for;

charging or powering the stylus with electromagnetic radiation from a second inductive-charging component in or on the device;

or

charging or powering the device with electromagnetic radiation from the first inductive-charging component to the second inductive-charging component.

2. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the first inductive-charging component or the second inductive charging component comprises conductive material arranged in one or more turns or loops in or on the stylus or the device, respectively.

3. The stylus of claim 1, wherein charging or powering the stylus or the device occurs when the stylus is physically connected to or placed in or on the device.

4. The stylus of claim 3, wherein the physical connection is accomplished at least in part by magnetic forces.

5. The stylus of claim 1, wherein charging or powering the stylus or the device occurs when the stylus is in proximity to the touch sensor of the device.

6. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the second inductive-charging component is substantially near the touch sensor of the device.

7. The stylus of claim 1, wherein at least part of the second inductive-charging component functions as one or more drive or sense lines in the touch sensor of the device.

8. The stylus of claim 7, wherein the drive or sense lines in the touch sensor of the device are disposed on a substrate, and the second inductive-charging component is disposed at least in part on the substrate.

9. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the second inductive-charging component comprises a sparse inductive grid.

10. A device comprising:

a touch sensor;

one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for controlling the touch sensor and processing signals transmitted wirelessly by a stylus to the device through the touch sensor; and

a first inductive-charging component in or on the device for;

charging or powering the device with electromagnetic radiation from a second inductive-charging component in or on the stylus;

or

charging or powering the stylus with electromagnetic radiation from the first inductive-charging component to the second inductive-charging component.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first inductive-charging component or the second inductive charging component comprises conductive material arranged in one or more turns or loops in or on the device or the stylus, respectively.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein charging or powering the device or the stylus occurs when the stylus is physically connected to or placed in or on the device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the physical connection is accomplished at least in part by magnetic forces.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein charging or powering the device or the stylus occurs when the stylus is in proximity to the touch sensor of the device.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the first inductive-charging component is substantially near the touch sensor of the device.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein at least part of the first inductive-charging component functions as one or more drive or sense lines in the touch sensor of the device.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the drive or sense lines in the touch sensor of the device are disposed on a substrate, and the first inductive-charging component is disposed at least in part on the substrate.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein the first inductive-charging component comprises a sparse inductive grid.

19. A system comprising:

a device comprising;

a touch sensor;

one or more first computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying first logic for controlling the touch sensor and processing signals transmitted wirelessly by a stylus to the device through the touch sensor; and

a first inductive-charging component in or on the device for;

charging or powering the device with electromagnetic radiation from a second inductive-charging component in or on the stylus;

or

charging or powering the stylus with electromagnetic radiation from the first inductive-charging component to the second inductive-charging component; and

the stylus, comprising;

one or more electrodes and one or more second computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying second logic for transmitting signals wirelessly to the device through the touch sensor of the device; and

the second inductive-charging component, for;

charging or powering the stylus with electromagnetic radiation from the first inductive-charging component;

or

charging or powering the device with electromagnetic radiation from the second inductive-charging components to the first inductive-charging component.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first inductive-charging component or the second inductive charging component comprises conductive material arranged in one or more turns or loops in or on the device or the stylus, respectively.