Input Device Having Extendable Nib

• US 20140078109A1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Armstrong-Muntner, Joel S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,690,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03542 Light pens for emitting or receiving light
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

An input device for computing devices that include touch screens. The input device includes a body, a nib or tip movably coupled to the body, and an actuator operably connected to the body and the nib. The actuator moves the nib from a first position to a second position, and in the first position the input device provides a first input to the computing device and in the second position the input device provides a second input to the computing device.

Claims

1. An input device for computing devices comprising:

a body;

a nib movably coupled to the body; and

an actuator operably connected to the body and the nib;

wherein

the actuator moves the nib from a first position to a second position; and

in the first position the input device provides a first input to the computing device and in the second position the input device provides a second input to the computing device.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein in the first position the nib has a first length extending from a first end of the body and in the second position the nib has a second length extending from a second end of the body.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the nib is a conductive material.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein the nib is a flexible material and in the second position bends when the user exerts a force on the body.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the nib is Mylar.

6. The input device of claim 1, wherein the nib comprises a plurality of strands.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein in the first position the strands have a first spacing distance relative to each other, and in the second position the strands have a second spacing distance relative to each other.

8. The input device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a slide that traverses along a length of the body.

9. The input device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a rotatable member that rotates relative to the body.

10. The input device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a compressible button.

11. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to determining a position of the nib relative to the body.

12. The input device of claim 1, further comprising an optical element, wherein the optical element is configured to transfer an optical signal through the nib to the computing device.

13. A stylus for proving an input to a touch interface of a computing device, comprising:

an elongated body;

a nib movably connected to the body; and

an actuator operably connected to the nib and the body, wherein

the actuator varies a length of the nib exposed outside of the body.

14. The stylus of claim 13, wherein in a first position the nib has a first surface area configured to interact with the touch interface and in a second position the nib has a second surface area configured to interact with the touch interface.

15. The stylus of claim 13, wherein the nib comprises a plurality of strands.

16. The stylus of claim 15, wherein in a first position the plurality of strands are spaced adjacent one another and in a second position the plurality of strands are spaced apart from one another by a spacing distance.

17. The stylus of claim 16, wherein the stylus further comprises a light source, wherein the light source is in optical communication with the touch interface through at least one strand of plurality of strands.

18. The stylus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of strands are optical fibers.

19. The stylus of claim 13, wherein the actuator is a rotatable member, and in a first position the nib has a first extension length and in a second position the nib has a second extension length.

20. The stylus of claim 13, wherein as the actuator varies the extension length, the conductive surface of the nib interacting with the touch screen varies correspondingly.