INPUT DEVICE WRITING SURFACE

• US 20130229386A1
• Filed: 10/09/2012
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bathiche, Steven Nabil, Dietz, Paul Henry, Rihn, Bernard K., Panay, Panos C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,360,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• 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 2203/0381 Multimodal input, i.e. interface arrangements enabling the user to issue commands by simultaneous use of input devices of different nature, e.g. voice plus gesture on digitizer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position

Abstract

Input device writing surface techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a connection portion configured to form a communicative and physical coupling to a computing device sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device. The input device also includes an input portion having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without use of electronic computation.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a connection portion configured to form a communicative and physical coupling to a computing device sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device; and

an input portion having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without use of electronic computation.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the writing surface is configured to perform the change in optical states without separating the writing surface into a plurality of predefined pixels.

3. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the writing surface is configured to perform the change in the optical states without consuming electricity.

4. An input device as described in claim 3, wherein the writing surface is configured to change back to a previous optical state by consuming electricity.

5. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to a mechanical input.

6. An input device as described in claim 5, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to pressure applied of the mechanical input to a display state change material of the writing surface.

7. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to a temperature change.

8. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to an electrical field.

9. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to a magnetic field.

10. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to encountering light.

11. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the writing surface includes one or more sensors that are configured to detect an input that caused the change in the optical states.

12. An input device as described in claim 11, wherein at least one of the sensors is configured to provide an output that is indicative of an amount of pressure applied to a respective said sensor.

13. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the writing surface is configured to perform the change in optical states responsive to detection of proximity of an object.

14. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the connection portion comprises:

at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device; and

a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device to secure the connection portion to the computing device.

15. A system comprising:

a computing device having a display device that supports touch functionality sufficient to detect one or more gestures; and

an input device removably coupled both physically and communicatively to the computing device, the input device having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without consuming electricity.

16. A system as described in claim 15, wherein the writing surface includes one or more sensors that are configured to detect an input that caused the change in the optical states.

17. A system as described in claim 15, wherein the change in optical states is performed mechanically, responsive to pressure applied to a display state change material of the writing surface, responsive to a temperature change, responsive to an electrical field, responsive to a magnetic field, or responsive to encountering light.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a connection portion configured to form a communicative and magnetic coupling to a computing device, the magnetic coupling sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device; and

an input portion having a writing surface configured to;

perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable by a display state change material responsive to application of mechanical pressure by a stylus; and

communicate data describing the application of the mechanical pressure via the connection portion to the computing device, the data output by one or more sensors disposed on an opposing side of the display state change material with respect to a side that received the application of the mechanical pressure.

19. An apparatus as described in claim 18, wherein the change in optical states is performable by the display state change material without performing electronic computation.

20. An apparatus as described in claim 18, wherein the change in optical states is performable by the display state change material without consuming electricity.