OPTICAL STYLUS

• US 20120127110A1
• Filed: 11/19/2010
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Simon, David I., Leung, Omar Sze, Amm, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,639,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• 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, the optical stylus comprising:

a image capture device configured to obtain images of encoded, location indicative patterns;

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.

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 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, further comprising a light source.

5. The optical stylus of claim 4, wherein the light source emits monochromatic light and, wherein further, the image capture device captures refracted light and transmits information regarding the captured light to the host system.

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

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

8. A method of operating an optical stylus comprising:

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

capturing an image while the optical stylus is in contact with the surface using a camera of the optical stylus; and

transmitting the image to a host system.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

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

transmitting orientation information to the host system.

10. The method of claim 8 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 9 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.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising processing image to determine relative positioning of the optical stylus relative to the surface.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

receiving an indication to pair with the host system;

obtaining identifying information from the host; and

opening a communication channel with the host.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising encoding the captured image for transmission.

15. The method of claim 8 further comprising determining an angle of the optical stylus relative to the surface.

16. An optical stylus and computing system comprising:

an optical stylus comprising;

a processor;

a camera coupled to the processor;

an accelerometer coupled to the processor;

a pressure sensor coupled to the processor and located at a proximal end of the stylus;

and an antenna coupled to the processor;

a host computing system comprising;

a host processor; and

a memory coupled to the host processor storing operational instructions for the execution by the host processor;

wherein the host computing system is configured to provide a location encoded pattern; and

wherein the optical stylus is configured to capture the location indicative pattern and transmit data to the host computing system indicative of the relative location of the optical stylus.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the host computing system further comprises a capacitive touch screen display, wherein the location encoded pattern is provided via pixels displayed by the capacitive, touch screen display.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the capacitive, touch screen display comprises a physical layer that is contains the location indicative pattern.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor of the optical stylus is configured to determine the location of the optical stylus relative to the host computing system and transmit the location to the host.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the optical stylus is configured to transmit data from the accelerometer and camera to the host computing system when the processor of the optical stylus receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor.