Computer input stylus method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A stylus system including a stylus for use with a capacitance sensitive touch pad having a touch sensitive surface, for providing input to an associated computing means, said stylus comprising:
- a conductive stylus tip for making contact with the touch sensitive surface of the touch pad;
a conductive mass which is electrically insulated from the conductive stylus tip;
a stylus casing for housing the conductive stylus tip at a first writing end of the casing, and the conductive mass generally spaced apart from the conductive stylus tip;
a manually manipulable means disposed in the stylus casing for manipulation to an actuated position in which the conductive stylus tip is electrically coupled to the conductive mass to thereby increase a capacitive disturbance caused by the conductive stylus tip on the touch pad, or to a non-actuated position in which the conductive stylus tip is electrically insulated from the conductive mass;
a resilient, conductive cover disposed over the conductive stylus tip to amplify the capacitive disturbance when the cover touches the touch sensitive surface; and
wherein the touch pad includes a capacitive disturbance sensing means for determining a first magnitude of the capacitive disturbance caused by the conductive stylus tip making contact with the touch sensitive surface of the touch pad.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system comprising a conductive stylus used in conjunction with a capacitance sensitive touch pad, said system providing at least two different signals to an associated computer system. The stylus is a pen-like device having an actuable switch which when actuated substantially increases the capacitive disturbance caused by the conductive stylus on the touch pad. Before actuation, the stylus creates a capacitive disturbance sufficient for circuitry in the touch pad to measure as crossing a first predefined capacitive disturbance threshold when the foam covered conductive stylus tip is brought in contact with the surface of the touch pad. When the switch is actuated, the capacitive disturbance measured by the touch pad increases sufficient to cross a second predefined capacitive disturbance threshold. An associated computer program for drawing on a computer display places a cursor on the display when the first threshold is crossed. The computer program begins drawing on the display beginning at the cursor location when the switch is actuated causing the second threshold to be crossed. Placing a conductive foam cover over the conductive stylus tip results in the measured capacitive disturbance being amplified to thereby increase the magnitude of the capacitive disturbance of the stylus.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A stylus system including a stylus for use with a capacitance sensitive touch pad having a touch sensitive surface, for providing input to an associated computing means, said stylus comprising:
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a conductive stylus tip for making contact with the touch sensitive surface of the touch pad; a conductive mass which is electrically insulated from the conductive stylus tip; a stylus casing for housing the conductive stylus tip at a first writing end of the casing, and the conductive mass generally spaced apart from the conductive stylus tip; a manually manipulable means disposed in the stylus casing for manipulation to an actuated position in which the conductive stylus tip is electrically coupled to the conductive mass to thereby increase a capacitive disturbance caused by the conductive stylus tip on the touch pad, or to a non-actuated position in which the conductive stylus tip is electrically insulated from the conductive mass; a resilient, conductive cover disposed over the conductive stylus tip to amplify the capacitive disturbance when the cover touches the touch sensitive surface; and wherein the touch pad includes a capacitive disturbance sensing means for determining a first magnitude of the capacitive disturbance caused by the conductive stylus tip making contact with the touch sensitive surface of the touch pad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for using a stylus with a capacitance sensitive touch pad having a touch sensitive surface, wherein the capacitance sensitive touch pad provides input to an associated computing means, said method comprising the steps of:
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1) selecting a stylus having a manually manipulable means for changing a first magnitude of a capacitive disturbance at a conductive stylus tip of said stylus, and having no other contact with the touch pad or the associated computing means other than the conductive stylus tip which makes contact with a surface of the touch pad, wherein selecting the stylus further comprises; a) selecting a conductive mass which is electrically insulated from the conductive stylus tip; b) selecting a casing which houses the conductive stylus tip separate from the conductive mass; and c) selecting the manually manipulable means to electrically couple the conductive stylus tip to the conductive mass when the manually manipulable means is in an actuated position to thereby increase a capacitive disturbance caused by the conductive stylus tip on the touch sensitive surface; 2) selecting a touch pad with a touch sensitive surface which includes sensing means for measuring the first magnitude of the capacitive disturbance, and transmittal means for transmitting a signal representing the first magnitude to the associated computing means; 3) touching the conductive stylus tip to the touch sensitive surface; 4) receiving the signal at the associated computing means from the sensing means; and 5) actuating a function of the associated computing means associated with the magnitude of the capacitive disturbance. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification