Stylus pen

• US 5,290,972 A
• Filed: 01/26/1993
• Issued: 03/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujikura Limited, Fujikura Rubber Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujikura Rubber Limited
• Inventors: Nagano, Ryoji, Someya, Hisao, Hoshi, Mitsunori, Ejiri, Takashi, Takizawa, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/009,236
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18, 178/19, 178/20, 340/710, 340/700, 340/708, 340/707, 340/706, 364/709.11
• US Class Current: 178/19.04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A stylus pen for use as a computer input device includes a pen holder with an associated tip, a chamber defined in the pen holder and filled with a non-compressible fluid, a pressure sensor having a pressure receiving surface that detects pressure in the chamber, and a means for converting a mechanical force applied to the tip to a change in pressure of the non-compressible fluid enclosed in the chamber. In the use of the pen a mechanical force applied to the tip changes the pressure of the non-compressible fluid; and this pressure change is detected by the pressure sensor to produce a change in the output signal from the sensor usable as a computer input.

Claims

1. A stylus pen comprising:

a pen holder with an associated tip;

a chamber contained in the pen holder and filled with a non-compressible fluid;

a pressure sensor having a pressure receiving surface that detects pressure in the chamber; and

,

a means for converting a mechanical force, applied to the tip, to a change in pressure of the non-compressible fluid enclosed in the chamber.

2. A stylus pen according to claim 1, wherein said non-compressible fluid is liquid, gel, jelly, glue, grease, or wax.

3. A stylus pen according to claim 1, wherein a part of said chamber is defined by a flexible member, and wherein the mechanical force applied to the tip is transmitted to the flexible member.

4. A stylus pen according to claim 1, wherein said pressure receiving surface of the pressure sensor defines a part of the chamber.

5. A stylus pen according to claim 3, wherein said tip is provided by a shaft which is slidably inserted in the pen holder, said shaft having a front end portion protruding from the pen holder and which front end portion defines said tip.

6. A stylus pen according to claim 5, further comprising a spring for biasing the shaft into contact with the flexible member.

7. A stylus pen according to claim 6, wherein said flexible member is in the form of a diaphragm.

8. A stylus pen according to claim 6, wherein said flexible member is in the form of a bellows.

9. A stylus pen according to claim 8, wherein said pressure sensor comprises a semiconductor pressure sensor made of silicon.

10. A stylus pen according to claim 9, wherein said non-compressible fluid contained in the chamber is an inactive liquid silicone material or elastomer.

11. A stylus pen comprising:

a pen holder;

a shaft which is slidably inserted in the pen holder and has a tip projecting out from a front end of the pen holder;

a piston integrally provided on a rear end of the shaft;

a chamber having a flexible member which is deformed by the piston when a mechanical force is applied to the tip, said chamber being filled with a non-compressible fluid; and

,

a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the non-compressible fluid contained in the chamber to issue an output in accordance with the detected pressure.

12. A stylus pen according to claim 11, further comprising a spring for biasing the piston into contact with the flexible member.

13. A stylus pen according to claim 11, wherein said flexible member is made of a diaphragm.

14. A stylus pen according to claim 11, wherein said flexible member is made of a bellows.

15. A stylus pen according to claim 11, wherein said pressure sensor is a semiconductor pressure sensor made of silicon.

16. A stylus pen according to claim 11, wherein said non-compressible fluid contained in the chamber is an inactive liquid silicone material or elastomer.

17. An inputting method of a stylus pen having a pressure sensor, comprising the steps of:

converting a mechanical force applied to a tip of a stylus pen to a change in pressure of a non-compressible fluid contained in a closed chamber; and

,

transmitting the pressure change to the pressure sensor.