Active Stylus with Noise Immunity

• US 20140098033A1
• Filed: 10/10/2012
• Published: 04/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Original Assignee: Martin J. Simmons
• Inventors: Simmons, Martin J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,256,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04166 Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally G06F3/04184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0418 for error correction or compensation, e.g. based on parallax, calibration or alignment

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first signal at a stylus. The stylus is able to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from a device. The stylus includes one or more electrodes in a tip of the stylus. A frequency characteristic of the first signal is determined. A second signal is generated based at least in part on the frequency characteristic of the first signal. The second signal is wirelessly transmitted from the stylus to the device through a touch sensor of the device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first signal at a stylus, the stylus being operable to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from a device, the stylus comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed in a tip of the stylus;

determining a frequency characteristic of the first signal;

generating a second signal based at least in part on the frequency characteristic of the first signal; and

wirelessly transmitting from the stylus to the device the second signal through a touch sensor of the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises a first series of pulses.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the frequency characteristic of the first signal is the frequency of the first series of pulses.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second signal comprises a second series of pulses and wherein the frequency of the second series of pulses is substantially the same as the frequency of the first series of pulses.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal is generated by the device, and wherein the frequency characteristic of the first signal is associated with an operational frequency of the device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the operational frequency of the device is chosen to increase immunity to noise.

7. One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to:

receive a first signal at a stylus, the stylus being operable to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from a device, the stylus comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed in a tip of the stylus;

determine a frequency characteristic of the first signal;

generate a second signal based at least in part on the frequency characteristic of the first signal; and

wirelessly transmit from the stylus to the device the second signal through a touch sensor of the device.

8. The media of claim 7, wherein the first signal comprises a first series of pulses.

9. The media of claim 8, wherein the frequency characteristic of the first signal is the frequency of the first series of pulses.

10. The media of claim 9, wherein the second signal comprises a second series of pulses and wherein the frequency of the second series of pulses is substantially the same as the frequency of the first series of pulses.

11. The media of claim 7, wherein the first signal is generated by the device, and wherein the frequency characteristic of the first signal is associated with an operational frequency of the device.

12. The media of claim 11, wherein the operational frequency of the device is chosen to increase immunity to noise.

13. A stylus comprising:

one or more electrodes disposed in a tip of the stylus, the stylus being operable to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from a device; and

one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to;

receive a first signal at the stylus;

determine a frequency characteristic of the first signal;

generate a second signal based at least in part on the frequency characteristic of the first signal; and

wirelessly transmit from the stylus to the device the second signal through a touch sensor of the device.

14. The stylus of claim 13, wherein the first signal comprises a first series of pulses.

15. The stylus of claim 14, wherein the frequency characteristic of the first signal is the frequency of the first series of pulses.

16. The stylus of claim 15, wherein the second signal comprises a second series of pulses and wherein the frequency of the second series of pulses is substantially the same as the frequency of the first series of pulses.

17. The stylus of claim 13, wherein the first signal is generated by the device, and wherein the frequency characteristic of the first signal is associated with an operational frequency of the device.

18. The stylus of claim 17, wherein the operational frequency of the device is chosen to increase immunity to noise.

19. The stylus of claim 13, wherein the stylus is operable to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from the device through the tip of the stylus.

20. The stylus of claim 13, wherein the device further comprises a touch controller.