Stylus apparatus and method for transmitting light

• US 6,646,635 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2001
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Schechtel, Kevin J., Bollig, William L., Pogatetz, Douglas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/765,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20020097232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/179, 345/182, 345/183, 178/18.09, 178/19.01, 178/19.05, 385/115
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A stylus apparatus and method includes a manually operable lightpipe for transmitting light. The manually operable lightpipe includes a body portion for transmitting the light, the body portion having an outer surface. The manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion for receiving the light, and a display end portion for displaying the light. A protective cover layer is positioned over outer surface of the body portion to direct the light from the receiving end portion to the display end portion and to prevent the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.

Claims

1. A stylus apparatus comprising:

a manually operable lightpipe for transmitting light, the manually operable lightpipe including a body portion for transmitting the light, the body portion including an outer surface, the manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion for receiving the light and a display end portion for displaying the light, a protective cover layer comprised of an insulative material positioned over the outer surface of the body portion to direct the light from the receiving end portion to the display end portion and to prevent the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.

2. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein the manually operable lightpipe is comprised of a transparent material.

3. The stylus apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transparent material is comprised of a polycarbonate.

4. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving end portion has a plurality of spaced-apart stepped portions.

5. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving end portion has a conical shape.

6. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tip member, the tip member connected to the receiving end portion of the manually operable lightpipe.

7. The stylus apparatus of claim 6 wherein the tip member has a conical shape.

8. The stylus apparatus of claim 6 wherein the receiving end portion includes an opening formed therein, the tip member received in the opening.

9. The stylus apparatus of claim 6 wherein the tip member has an opaque outer surface.

10. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display end portion includes a frosted outer layer to distribute the light.

11. The stylus apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective cover layer is comprised of santoprene.

12. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein display end portion includes a recess formed therein.

13. The stylus apparatus of claim 12, wherein the recess has a conical shape.

14. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein the manually operable lightpipe has a cylindrical shape.

15. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving end portion is positioned opposite the display end portion.

16. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body portion includes a first portion having a first diameter adjacent to the receiving end portion, a second portion having a second diameter adjacent to the display end portion, and a third portion having a third diameter, the third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion wherein the third diameter is less than first diameter and the second diameter.

17. The stylus apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter and the third diameter.

18. The stylus apparatus of claim 1 further including a light source in communication with the receiving end portion of the manually operable lightpipe.

19. The stylus apparatus of claim 18, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

20. The stylus apparatus of claim 18, further including a circuit board, the light source mounted to the circuit board.

21. A method of transmitting light through a lightpipe apparatus comprising:

providing a stylus with a manually operable lightpipe including a body portion, the body portion including an outer surface comprised of an insulative material, the manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion including a conical tip-member and a display end portion, a protective cover layer positioned over outer surface of the body portion;

transmitting the light into the receiving end portion of the manually operable lightpipe;

transmitting the light from the receiving end portion to the body portion;

transmitting the light through the body portion to the display end portion; and

preventing the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.

22. A personal computing appliance comprising:

an outer protective enclosure including a receiving slot formed therein, a circuit board mounted within protective enclosure, a light source for generating light mounted on the circuit board, a stylus including a lightpipe apparatus disposed within the receiving slot, the lightpipe apparatus comprising a manually operable lightpipe for transmitting the light, the manually operable lightpipe including a body portion for transmitting the light, the body portion including an outer surface comprised of an insulative material, the manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion for receiving the light and a display end portion for displaying the light, a protective cover layer positioned over the outer surface of the body portion to direct the light from the receiving end portion to the display end portion and to prevent the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.