Stylus input device utilizing a permanent magnet

• US 7,145,555 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cirque Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cirque Corporation
• Inventors: Taylor, Brian, Lee, Daniel Joseph, Harney, Michael, Gyori, Benjamin Jazef
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US10/882,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/179, 345/180, 345/184, 345/182, 178/18.01, 178/18.07, 178/19.01, 178/19.03, 178/20.01
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• 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 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/046 by electromagnetic means

Abstract

A stylus that operates utilizing magnetic fields, wherein a permanent magnet is disposed within a passive stylus that is detectable by a plurality of magnetic sensors that remove the magnetic field of the stylus from the earth'"'"'s relative magnetic field to thereby obtain vectors that are used in a triangulation equation to determine the location of the stylus in two or three dimensions, depending upon the number of magnetic sensors that are used, wherein one set of magnetic sensors can be used as a reference for earth'"'"'s magnetic field, and wherein each of the magnetic sensors includes a polarizing coil to change direction of sensitivity, a null coil and a flipping coil.

Claims

1. A passive stylus system for providing input to an electronic appliance, wherein the passive stylus utilizes a permanent magnet to provide passive stylus location information to a magnetic sensor system, said passive stylus system comprising:

a passive stylus including at least one permanent magnet;

a magnetic sensor system for determining a location of the at least one permanent magnet disposed within the passive stylus wherein the magnetic sensor system further comprises at least two magnetic sensors that provide x and y coordinate information that are capable of (1) detecting the at least one permanent magnet, (2) determining a location of the at least one permanent magnet relative to a reference point, and (3) transmitting the location of the at least one permanent magnet;

wherein a circular triangulation formula is used for determining the location of the passive stylus, wherein data from the at least two magnetic sensors is utilized in the circular triangulation formula to reduce inaccuracies in passive stylus position determination due to inclination or movement of the passive stylus; and

an electronic appliance for receiving input from the magnetic sensor system regarding the location of the at least one permanent magnet within the area of operation, wherein the input is interpreted to be alphanumerical text, cursor control, or graphical data.

2. The passive stylus system as defined in claim 1 wherein the passive stylus further comprises:

a stylus body for housing components of the passive stylus;

an ink cartridge;

an actuator disposed on a non-inking end of the ink cartridge;

at least one position magnet disposed adjacent to an inking end of the ink cartridge, having a hole through which the ink cartridge is disposed;

a spring disposed around the ink cartridge, and between the at least one position magnet and a stylus tip;

a trigger magnet disposed above a non-inking end of the ink cartridge, and having a hole through which the actuator can pass;

a ferrous washer disposed above the trigger magnet, the ferrous washer having an outer shelf and an inner conical depression in a surface thereof;

a signaling magnet disposed at rest so as to be inclined, a bottom surface disposed at least partially at rest against the inner conical depression, wherein the ink cartridge will push the signaling magnet from an inclined position to an upright position so that the bottom surface of the signaling magnet is at least partially at rest against the outer shelf.

3. A method for providing input to an electronic appliance utilizing a stylus system that incorporates a permanent magnet, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a stylus body having a permanent magnet associated therewith, and a magnetic sensor system comprised of at least two magnetic sensors that provide x and y coordinate information;

(2) detecting the permanent magnet utilizing the magnetic sensor system;

(3) determining a location of the permanent magnet relative to a reference point using a circular triangulation formula, wherein the formula reduces inaccuracies in passive stylus position determination due to inclination or movement of the passive stylus; and

(4) transmitting the location of the permanent magnet in the stylus body.