Apparatus for detecting electro-magnetic stylus signals by inducing current into a plurality of sensor coils using signals transmitted by the tranmitter coil of the stylus
First Claim
1. A method for detecting position of a stylus relative to an active area of a display screen of a computer system, with (1) the stylus having a transmitter coil, and (2) the computer system having a plurality of sensor coils which are positioned to define a boundary surrounding the active area of the display screen, comprising the steps of:
- stimulating the transmitter coil of the stylus so that the transmitter coil generates an electromagnetic signal;
inducing current in the plurality of sensor coils in response to the stimulating step; and
determining position of the stylus relative to the active area based on current induced in the plurality of sensor coils in the inducing step.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a stylus relative to an active area of a display screen. The method includes the steps of providing a number of sensors which are positioned to define a boundary surrounding an active area of the display screen, and transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the stylus to the sensors wherein the signal is indicative of the presence of the stylus relative to the active area.
32 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for detecting position of a stylus relative to an active area of a display screen of a computer system, with (1) the stylus having a transmitter coil, and (2) the computer system having a plurality of sensor coils which are positioned to define a boundary surrounding the active area of the display screen, comprising the steps of:
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stimulating the transmitter coil of the stylus so that the transmitter coil generates an electromagnetic signal; inducing current in the plurality of sensor coils in response to the stimulating step; and determining position of the stylus relative to the active area based on current induced in the plurality of sensor coils in the inducing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer, comprising:
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a housing; a display screen secured to said housing and having an active area; a stylus having a transmitter coil which generates an electromagnetic signal when stimulated; a plurality of sensor coils secured to said housing and positioned (1) to define a boundary surrounding said active area of said display screen, and (2) to receive said electromagnetic signal which induces current in said plurality of sensor coils; and a circuit which determines position of said stylus relative to said active area based on current induced in said plurality of sensor coils. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A digitizer for a pen-based computer having a display screen secured to a housing, the digitizer comprising:
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a stylus having a transmitter coil which generates an electromagnetic signal when stimulated; a plurality of sensor coils secured to said housing and positioned (1) to define a boundary surrounding an active area of said display screen, and (2) to receive said electromagnetic signal which induces current in said plurality of sensor coils; and a circuit which determines position of said stylus relative to said active area based on current induced in said plurality of sensor coils. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification