Optical stylus

• US 9,639,178 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2010
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Amm, David, Simon, David I., Leung, Omar Sze
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Ilana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rayan, Mihir K
• Application Number:
  US12/950,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20120127110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,356 Days
• Field of Search: 345173, 345175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

An optical stylus and host computing system is provided, as are methods related to the operation thereof. In particular, in an example embodiment, a method of operating the optical stylus is provided that includes determining when the optical stylus is in contact with a surface based on signals received by a processor from a pressure sensor of the optical stylus and capturing an image while the optical stylus is in contact with the surface using a camera of the optical stylus. The captured image is then transmitted to a host system.

Claims

1. An optical stylus for use with a host device having at least one display, wherein the at least one display comprises an array of pixels that emit light and a layer of transparent conductive material, the optical stylus comprising:

a light source that emits monochromatic light onto the layer of transparent conductive material, wherein the monochromatic light is reflected by the layer of transparent conductive material as light having a different wavelength than the monochromatic light;

an image capture device, wherein the image capture device is configured to obtain an image of an encoded, location indicative pattern from the at least one display of the host device, wherein the location indicative pattern is encoded in the light emitted by the array of pixels, and wherein the image capture device is configured to capture the light reflected by the layer of transparent conductive material;

a processor coupled to the image capture device;

one or more orientation determining components coupled to the processor;

a pressure sensor coupled to the processor and configured to sense pressure applied to an end of the stylus; and

an antenna coupled to the processor, wherein the antenna is configured to transmit data collected by the optical stylus to the host device;

wherein the processor determines an angle of the image capture device relative to the at least one display of the host device based on the wavelength of the reflected light that is captured by the image capture device.

2. The optical stylus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to actuate the image capture device upon receiving signals from the pressure sensor indicative of pressure being applied at the end of the stylus.

3. The optical stylus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the data collected by the optical stylus while receiving signals from the pressure sensor indicative of pressure being applied at the end of the stylus.

4. The optical stylus of claim 1, wherein the one or more orientation determining components comprise at least one accelerometer.

5. The optical stylus of claim 1, wherein the stylus is configured to transmit raw data to the host computing system.

6. The optical stylus of claim 1, wherein the encoded, location indicative pattern comprises a quick response barcode.

7. A method of operating an optical stylus comprising:

determining when the optical stylus is in contact with a surface of at least one display of a host system based at least in part on signals received by a processor from a pressure sensor of the optical stylus;

establishing a wireless communications channel between the optical stylus and the host system;

in response to establishing the wireless communications channel, emitting a location indicative pattern of modulated light with the at least one display of the host system;

capturing a plurality of images of the location indicative pattern of modulated light emitted from the display while the optical stylus is in contact with the surface of the at least one display of the host system using a camera of the optical stylus;

determining an angle of the optical stylus relative to the at least one display of the host system based on the modulated light and a skew of at least one of the images; and

transmitting the at least one of the images to the host system.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

obtaining orientation information while the optical stylus is in contact with the surface; and

transmitting the orientation information to the host system.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving host orientation information from the host system; and

computing a relative orientation from the host orientation information and the orientation information of the optical stylus.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

obtaining orientation information while the optical stylus is not in contact with the surface; and

transmitting the orientation information to the host system.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising processing the at least one of the images to determine relative positioning of the optical stylus relative to the surface.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving an indication to pair with the host system;

obtaining identifying information from the host system; and

establishing the wireless communications channel with the host system.

13. The method of claim 7 further comprising encoding the at least one of the images for transmission.

14. The method of claim 7 further comprising determining the angle of the optical stylus relative to the surface.