U.S. patent application number 15/683588 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-28 for electrostatic and wired electrical connector for stylus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. Invention is credited to Steven N. BATHICHE, Denis V. VARLAMOV, Jonathan WESTHUES.
Application Number | 20190064941 15/683588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63014998 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190064941 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WESTHUES; Jonathan ; et
al. |
February 28, 2019 |
ELECTROSTATIC AND WIRED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR STYLUS
Abstract
An active stylus includes a body, an electrical connector
operatively coupled to the body, wired connection circuitry
contained within the body and electrically coupled to the
electrical connector, and electrostatic circuitry contained within
the body and electrically coupled to the electrical connector. The
electrical connector is configured to electrically couple the
active stylus with a device via a wired connection. The wired
connection circuitry is configured to hold at least a portion of
the electrical connector at ground when the active stylus is
operating in a wired connection mode. The electrostatic circuitry
is configured to transmit, via the electrical connector, one or
more excitation waveforms when the active stylus is operating in an
electrostatic mode.
Inventors: |
WESTHUES; Jonathan;
(Portland, OR) ; BATHICHE; Steven N.; (Kirkland,
WA) ; VARLAMOV; Denis V.; (Portland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Technology Licensing,
LLC
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
63014998 |
Appl. No.: |
15/683588 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/03545 20130101;
G06F 3/0441 20190501; G02F 1/0316 20130101; G06F 3/0383 20130101;
G06F 3/044 20130101; G06F 3/0442 20190501 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0354 20060101
G06F003/0354; G06F 3/044 20060101 G06F003/044; G02F 1/03 20060101
G02F001/03; G06F 3/038 20060101 G06F003/038 |
Claims
1. An active stylus comprising: a body; an electrical connector
operatively coupled to the body and configured to electrically
couple the active stylus with a device via a wired connection;
wired connection circuitry contained within the body and
electrically coupled to the electrical connector and configured to
hold at least a portion of the electrical connector at ground when
the active stylus operating in a wired connection mode; and
electrostatic circuitry contained within the body and electrically
coupled to the electrical connector and configured to transmit or
receive, via the electrical connector, one or more excitation
waveforms when the active stylus is operating in an electrostatic
mode.
2. The active stylus of claim 1, further comprising: an energy
storage device contained within the body and electrically coupled
to the wired connection circuitry, and wherein the wired connection
circuitry is configured to, when the electrical connector is
electrically coupled to the device and when the active stylus is
operating in the wired connection mode, receive, via the electrical
connector, charging current from the device and provide the
charging current to the energy storage device.
3. The active stylus of claim 1, wherein the wired connection
circuitry is configured to, when the electrical connector is
electrically coupled to the device and when the active stylus is
operating in the wired connection mode, receive, via the electrical
connector, one or more data signals from the device and/or
transmit, via the electrical connector, one or more data signals to
the device.
4. The active stylus of claim 1, wherein an output of the
electrostatic circuitry is driven to ground when the active stylus
is operating in the wired connection mode.
5. The active stylus of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector
includes a conductive housing and a plurality of conductors
contained within the conductive housing, and wherein the wired
connection circuitry is configured to hold the conductive housing
at ground when the active stylus is operating in the wired
connection mode.
6. The active stylus of claim 5, wherein the electrostatic
circuitry is electrically coupled to the conductive housing and
configured to transmit or receive, via the conductive housing, the
one or more excitation waveforms when the active stylus is
operating in the electrostatic mode.
7. The active stylus of claim 5, wherein the wired connection
circuitry is configured to set the active stylus to operation in
the wired connection mode and hold the conductive housing at ground
based on detecting a voltage signal from the device on a power
supply conductor of the plurality of conductors.
8. The active stylus of claim 1, wherein the wired connection
circuitry is configured to detect a mechanical state of the active
stylus and switch the active stylus between operation in the wired
connection mode and operation in the electrostatic mode based on
the detected mechanical state of the active stylus.
9. The active stylus of claim 8, further comprising: a removable
cap configured to conceal the electrical connector when the
removable cap is installed on the body of the active stylus, and
expose the electrical connector when the removable cap is removed
from the body of the active stylus; and wherein the wired
connection circuitry is configured to detect whether the removable
cap is installed on the body, operate the active stylus in the
electrostatic mode when the removable cap is installed on the body,
and operate the active stylus in the wired connection mode when the
removable cap is removed from the body.
10. The active stylus of claim 8, further comprising: a power
switch electrically intermediate the electrical connector and
ground; and wherein the wired connection circuitry is configured to
control the power switch to electrically connect the electrical
connector to ground when the active stylus is operating in the
wired connection mode and electrically isolate the electrical
connector from ground when the active stylus is operating in the
electrostatic mode.
11. The active stylus of claim 1, further comprising: an electrode
tip operatively coupled to a first end of the body and electrically
coupled to the electrostatic circuitry, wherein the electrical
connector is operatively coupled to a second, opposing end of the
body, and wherein the electrostatic circuitry is configured to
transmit, via the electrode tip, one or more excitation waveforms
when the active stylus is operating in the electrostatic mode.
12. The active stylus of claim 11, wherein, when the active stylus
is operating in the electrostatic mode, the electrode tip is
configured to provide digital inking functionality and the
electrical connector is configured to provide digital erasing
functionality.
13. An active stylus comprising: a body including a first end and a
second end that opposes the first end; an electrode tip operatively
coupled to the first end of the body; an electrical connector
operatively coupled to the second end of the body and configured to
electrically couple the active stylus with a device via a wired
connection; wired connection circuitry contained within the body
and electrically coupled to the electrical connector and configured
to hold at least a portion of the electrical connector at ground
when the active stylus is operating in a wired connection mode; and
electrostatic circuitry contained within the body and electrically
coupled to the electrode tip and the electrical connector, the
electrostatic circuitry being configured to transmit, via the
electrode tip, one or more excitation waveforms when the active
stylus is operating in an electrostatic mode, and transmit, via the
electrical connector, one or more excitation waveforms when the
active stylus is operating in the electrostatic mode.
14. The active stylus of claim 13, further comprising: an energy
storage device contained within the body and electrically coupled
to the wired connection circuitry, and wherein the wired connection
circuitry is configured to, when the electrical connector is
electrically coupled to the device and when the active stylus is
operating in the wired connection mode, receive, via the electrical
connector, charging current from the device and provide the
charging current to the energy storage device.
15. The active stylus of claim 13, wherein the wired connection
circuitry is configured to, when the electrical connector is
electrically coupled to the device and when the active stylus is
operating in the wired connection mode, receive, via the electrical
connector, one or more data signals from the device and/or
transmit, via the electrical connector, one or more data signals to
the device.
16. The active stylus of claim 13, wherein an output of the
electrostatic circuitry is driven to ground when the active stylus
is operating in the wired connection mode.
17. The active stylus of claim 13, wherein the wired connection
circuitry is configured to detect a mechanical state of the active
stylus and switch the active stylus between operation in the wired
connection mode and operation in the electrostatic mode based on
the detected mechanical state of the active stylus.
18. The active stylus of claim 17, further comprising: a removable
cap configured to conceal the electrical connector when the
removable cap is installed on the body of the active stylus, and
expose the electrical connector when the removable cap is removed
from the body of the active stylus; and wherein the wired
connection circuitry is configured to detect whether the removable
cap is installed on the body, operate the active stylus in the
electrostatic mode when the removable cap is installed on the body,
and operate the active stylus in the wired connection mode when the
removable cap is removed from the body.
19. The active stylus of claim 17, further comprising: a power
switch electrically intermediate the electrical connector and
ground; and wherein the wired connection circuitry is configured to
control the power switch to electrically connect the electrical
connector to ground when the active stylus is operating in the
wired connection mode and electrically isolate the electrical
connector from ground when the active stylus is operating in the
electrostatic mode.
20. An active stylus comprising: a body; an electrical connector
operatively coupled to the body and configured to electrically
couple the active stylus with a device via a wired connection; a
removable cap configured to conceal the electrical connector when
the removable cap is installed on the body and expose the
electrical connector when the removable cap is removed from the
body; a power switch electrically intermediate the electrical
connector and ground; wired connection circuitry contained within
the body and electrically coupled to the electrical connector and
the power switch, the wired connection circuitry configured to
control the power switch to electrically connect the electrical
connector to ground if the removable cap is installed on the body,
and control the power switch to electrically isolate the electrical
connector from ground if the removable cap is removed from the
body; and electrostatic circuitry contained within the body and
electrically coupled to the electrical connector and configured to
transmit, via the electrical connector, one or more excitation
waveforms based on the power switch being controlled to
electrically isolate the electrical connector from ground.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Touch-sensitive display devices, track pads, writing
tablets, graphics tablets/digitizers, and other electronic devices
may accept input from an input device, such as a stylus. A stylus
may be more suitable for precision tasks, such as drawing, writing,
selecting icons, etc., than a finger or other blunt input
mechanism. A stylus may include transmission/receiving mechanisms
and/or otherwise be capable of performing active functions to
interact with a device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 shows an example touch-sensitive display system.
[0003] FIG. 2 schematically shows an example active stylus
including an electrical connector.
[0004] FIG. 3 shows an example scenario in which an active stylus
is operating in an electrostatic mode to provide digital inking
functionality to a touch-sensitive display device via input from an
electrode tip of the active stylus.
[0005] FIG. 4 shows an example scenario in which an active stylus
is operating in an electrostatic mode to provide digital erasing
functionality to a touch-sensitive display device via input from an
electrical connector of the active stylus.
[0006] FIG. 5 shows an example scenario in which an active stylus
is operating in a wired connection mode where the active stylus is
receiving electrical charge from a device via an electrical
connector of the active stylus.
[0007] FIG. 6 shows an example scenario in which an active stylus
is operating in a wired connection mode where data is transmitted
between the active stylus and a device via an electrical connector
of the active stylus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Active styluses may include one or more electrodes
configured to capacitively couple with one or more electrodes of a
capacitive touch sensor of a touch-sensitive display device, for
example to provide input to the touch-sensitive display device. In
some configurations, an active stylus may include an electrode tip
that mimics an ink pen, and the electrode tip may be used to
facilitate digital "inking" for visual display on the
touch-sensitive display device.
[0009] Some active styluses include an electrical connector (e.g.,
a micro USB plug) configured to form a "wired" electrical
connection with a device. For example, an active stylus can be
plugged into a device, via the electrical connector, to receive
charging current to recharge a battery of the active stylus. In
another example, an active stylus can be plugged into a device, via
the electrical connector, to transfer data (e.g., pairing
information, updated firmware) between the active stylus and the
device.
[0010] Typically, the "inking" electrode is positioned on one end
of the active stylus, and the electrical connector is positioned on
an opposing "non-inking" or tail end. In such an arrangement, the
placement of the electrical connector on the tail end typically
will prevent a separate "eraser" electrode from being co-located on
the tail end. Accordingly, in the typical case, the stylus lacks
erase or other capacitance-enabled electrode functionality on its
tail end.
[0011] Accordingly, the present description is directed to an
active stylus that includes a dual-purpose electrical connector
that alternately provides wired connection functionality and
electrostatic functionality, for example depending on the
operational mode, state, etc. of the active stylus. In some
examples, when the active stylus is operating in a wired connection
mode, a housing of the electrical connector is held at ground. As
used herein, "ground" refers to a designated reference voltage from
which other system voltages are measured. In practice, ground may
be set to any suitable reference voltage. By grounding the housing
of the electrical connector when the active stylus is operating in
the wired connection mode, the electrical connector can facilitate
operation via a wired electrical connection with a device, enabling
the active stylus to perform various operations in conjunction with
the device. For example, data can be transferred between the active
stylus and the device and/or the active stylus can receive charging
current to power/charge the active stylus.
[0012] On the other hand, when the active stylus is operating in an
electrostatic mode, the electrical connector may be floated--i.e.,
not maintained at ground, such that the electrical connector can be
used to transmit/receive one or more excitation waveforms. For
example, such excitation waveforms may create a capacitive coupling
with electrodes of a proximate touch-sensitive device, thereby
enabling touch input or other electrostatic interaction. In a
particular example, when the active stylus is operating in the
electrostatic mode, the electrical connector can be used to provide
eraser functionality for a touch-sensitive display device.
[0013] By using the electrical connector in a dual-purpose manner
to provide different functionality when the active stylus operates
in different modes, the overall functionality of the active stylus
may be enhanced.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a touch-sensitive display system 100 including
a touch sensor 102. In some examples, touch-sensitive display
system 100 may be a large-format display device with a diagonal
dimension D greater than 1 meter, for example, though the display
may assume any suitable size. Touch-sensitive display system 100
may be configured to sense one or more sources of input, such as
touch input imparted via a finger 104 of a user and/or input
supplied by an input device 106, shown in FIG. 1 as an active
stylus. The finger 104 and the active stylus 106 are provided as
non-limiting examples and any other suitable source of input may be
used in connection with touch-sensitive display system 100. The
touch-sensitive display system 100 may be configured to receive
input from input devices in contact with the touch-sensitive
display system 100 and input devices not in contact with the
touch-sensitive display system 100 (e.g., input devices that hover
proximate to a surface of the display). "Touch input" as used
herein refers to both types of input. In some examples, the
touch-sensitive display system 100 may be configured to receive
input from two or more sources simultaneously, in which case, the
display system may be referred to as a multi-touch display
system.
[0015] The touch-sensitive display system 100 may be operatively
coupled to an image source 108, which may be, for example, a
computing device external to, or housed within, the touch-sensitive
display system 100. The image source 108 may receive input from the
touch-sensitive display system 100, process the input, and in
response generate appropriate graphical output 110 for the display
system 100. In this way, the touch-sensitive display system 100 may
provide a natural paradigm for interacting with a computing device
that can respond appropriately to touch input.
[0016] The touch-sensitive display system 100 is an example of a
device that the active stylus 106 may interact with via a wired
connection and/or a capacitive coupling between electrodes of the
active stylus 106 and electrodes of the capacitive touch sensor 102
of the touch-sensitive display system 100.
[0017] FIG. 2 schematically shows an example active stylus 200 in
simplified form. The active stylus 200 is usable with a device,
such as the touch-sensitive display system 100 of FIG. 1. The
active stylus 200 includes a body 202 configured to be gripped by a
hand of a user. The body 202 is elongate and cylindrical, although
other body shapes may be contemplated. The active stylus 200
includes an electrode tip 204 operatively coupled to an "inking" or
front end 206 of the body 202. The active stylus 200 further
includes an electrical connector 208 operatively coupled to a
"non-inking" or tail end 210 of the body 202.
[0018] As discussed above, the electrical connector 208 may serve
dual purposes for the active stylus 200. The electrical connector
208 is configured to form a wired connection with a device, for
example when the active stylus 200 is operating in a wired
connection mode. Further, the electrical connector 208 is
configured to act as an electrode that facilitates electrostatic
interaction when the active stylus 200 is operating in an
electrostatic mode. For example, the electrical connector 208 can
be driven with excitation waveform(s) such that, when another
electrode of a device is sufficiently close, that other electrode's
charge accumulation/state is influenced by the excitation waveform,
thereby causing the excitation waveform to be "transmitted" to the
device. Likewise, the electrical connector 208 may "receive"
excitation waveforms via a capacitive coupling with an electrode of
a device in a similar, but reversed manner.
[0019] The electrical connector 208 is configured to electrically
couple the active stylus 200 with a device by forming a wired
connection with the device, e.g., via physical and electrical
characteristics of one of the existing USB standards. The
electrical connector 208 may be configured to form a wired
connection with any suitable type of device. For example, the
electrical connector 208 may be configured to form a wired
connection with a computing device, a power source (e.g., battery
charger, electrical socket), a combination thereof, and/or another
type of device. Moreover, the electrical connector 208 may form any
suitable wired connection with a device. In one example, the
electrical connector 208 may be plugged into a socket of a device.
In another example, the electrical connector 208 may be plugged
into an intermediate electrical cable that is further plugged into
a device. In some implementations, the electrical connector 208 may
take the form of a socket into which a plug of a device may be
inserted to form a wired connection.
[0020] In the illustrated implementation, the electrical connector
208 includes a housing 212 and a plurality of conductors (e.g.,
pins) 214 positioned within the housing 212. The different
conductors 214 may facilitate different electrical connections that
provide different functionality. For example, different conductors
214 may be designated for power, ground, and data transfer. When a
wired connection is formed between the electrical connector 208 and
a device, the plurality of conductors 214 electrically couple to
corresponding electrical contacts of a socket of the device,
thereby electrically coupling the active stylus 200 with the
device.
[0021] The electrical connector 208 may take any suitable form. The
electrical connector 208 may conform to any suitable power
connection standard for receiving charging current to power the
active stylus 200. The electrical connector 208 may be configured
to communicate with a device using any suitable communication
protocol. For example, the electrical connector 208 may be a
universal serial bus (USB) connector as indicated above, a
Lightning connector, or any other type of electrical connector. The
electrical connector 208 may be concealed by a removable cap 226
while the removable cap 226 is installed, as in the illustrated
implementation.
[0022] The active stylus 200 includes electrostatic circuitry 216
contained within the body 202 and electrically coupled to the
electrode tip 204 and the electrical connector 208. In some
examples, the housing 212 may be conductive, and the electrostatic
circuitry 216 may be electrically coupled to the housing 212 of the
electrical connector 208. In some examples, the electrostatic
circuitry 216 may be electrically coupled to the plurality of
conductors 214 of the electrical connector 208. In some examples,
the electrostatic circuitry 216 may be electrically coupled to the
housing 212 and the plurality of conductors 214.
[0023] The electrostatic circuitry 216 may be configured to control
the electrode tip 204 and the electrical connector 208 to
capacitively couple with electrodes of a capacitive touch sensor of
a device in proximity to the active stylus 200 in order to measure
capacitance. In particular, spatial capacitance measurements for
the electrode tip 204 and the electrical connector 208 can be
localized to particular two-dimensional locations relative to the
touch sensor. "Spatial capacitance measurement," as used herein,
refers to a measured capacitance between a stylus electrode and a
touch-sensing electrode. The measurement is achieved via driving
one electrode and interpreting resultant electrical conditions at
the other electrode (i.e., drive a stylus electrode and receive at
a touch sensor electrode, or drive at a touch sensor electrode and
receive at a stylus electrode). Typically, the measurement is
localized to a particular two-dimensional location relative to the
touch sensor. The two-dimensional location of the spatial
capacitance measurement corresponds to the location of the active
stylus 200 relative to the touch sensor when a stylus electrode
(tip or connector) transmits one or more excitation waveforms that
are received by electrodes of the touch sensor, or when the touch
sensor electrode transmits one or more excitation waveforms that
are received by the active stylus electrodes.
[0024] The electrostatic circuitry 216 includes receive circuitry
218 and/or transmit circuitry 220. When included, the receive
circuitry 218 is configured to maintain the tip/connector
electrodes 204/208 at a constant voltage and convert any current
into the tip/connector electrodes 204/208 into a proportional
current-sense voltage. The receive circuitry 218 is further
configured to digitize the current-sense voltage into digital data
to facilitate subsequent processing, such as for position
determination, electrostatic communication, etc. The receive
circuitry 218 may be configured to receive any suitable waveforms
from a device. Such waveforms may communicate any suitable types of
information to the active stylus 200. For example, a
touch-sensitive device may transmit a synchronization waveform to
enable the active stylus 200 to become synchronized with the
touch-sensitive device when the active stylus 200 is proximate to
touch-sensitive device. Once the active stylus 200 and the
touch-sensitive device are time-synchronized, the receive circuitry
218 may interpret a response on either of the electrode tip 204 or
the electrical connector 208 to determine a position of the active
stylus 200 relative to the touch-sensitive device. For example,
such communication may be conducted according to a touch-sensing
frame repeatedly performed by the active stylus 200 and the
touch-sensitive device.
[0025] The transmit circuitry 220 is configured to excite the
tip/connector electrodes 204/208 with one or more excitation
waveforms such that, when another electrode is sufficiently close,
that other electrode's charge is influenced by the drive signal,
thereby causing transmission to the proximate device via a
capacitive coupling. In some examples, the transmit circuitry 220
transmits the same excitation waveform via the electrode tip 204
and the electrical connector 208. In other examples, the transmit
circuitry 220 transmits different excitation waveforms via the
electrode tip 204 and the electrical connector 208. The transmit
circuitry 220 may be configured to transmit any suitable waveforms
that communicate different types of information to, and/or permit
sensing at, a device via the electrode tip 204 and/or the
electrical connector 208.
[0026] In one example, an excitation waveform generated by the
transmit circuitry 220 may be a square wave including a sequence of
pulses that switch between a lower voltage level (e.g., ground) and
a higher voltage level (e.g., supply voltage (Vdd)). In one
example, the electrostatic circuitry 216 includes a pull-up switch
and a pull-down switch that are alternately controlled to generate
a square excitation waveform. In some implementations, the
electrostatic circuitry 216 may be configured to control the
pull-down switch to drive the output of the electrostatic circuitry
216 to ground (or another reference voltage) when the active stylus
200 is operating in the wired connection mode. In other words, the
electrostatic circuitry 216 may be disabled when the active stylus
200 is operating in the wired connection mode. The electrostatic
circuitry 216 may be disabled in this manner so as to not generate
excitation waveforms that could interfere with operation of the
electrical connector 208 when it forms a wired connection with a
device, as well as to save power. In other implementations where
the electrostatic circuitry 216 is not disabled during wired-mode
operation, one or more electrical impedances may be positioned
electrically intermediate the electrostatic circuitry 216 and the
electrical connector 208. The electrical impedances may reduce a
current driven to the electrical connector 208 by the electrostatic
circuitry 216 when the electrical connector 208 is shorted to
ground, for example in order to protect the electrical connector
208 from an overcurrent condition.
[0027] The active stylus 200 includes wired connection circuitry
222 contained within the body 202 and electrically coupled to the
electrical connector 208. The wired connection circuitry 222 is
configured to control the electrical connector 208 when the active
stylus is operating in the wired connection mode, such that the
electrical connector 208 forms a suitable wired connection with a
device (e.g., plugged into a complementary socket or cable of the
device). In particular, the wired connection circuitry 222 is
configured to hold the housing 212 of the electrical connector 208
at ground when the active stylus 200 is operating in the wired
connection mode. Further, the wired connection circuitry 222 is
configured to control the plurality of conductors 214 of the
electrical connector 208 to enable the active stylus 200 to perform
various operations (e.g., charging, data transfer) with the device
when the wired connection is formed.
[0028] The wired connection circuitry 222 may be configured to
control the plurality of conductors 214 differently based on the
type of device to which the active stylus 200 is electrically
coupled via the wired connection. For example, when the active
stylus 200 is electrically coupled to a computing device, the wired
connection circuitry 222 may receive, via the electrical connector
208, one or more data signals from the device. In another example,
the wired connection circuitry 222 may transmit, via the electrical
connector 208, one or more data signals to the device. Such data
signals may communicate information including configuration
information, pairing information, updated firmware/software, and/or
other information.
[0029] In another example, when the active stylus 200 is
electrically coupled to a power source, the wired connection
circuitry 222 may receive, via the electrical connector 208,
charging current from the power source. Furthermore, the wired
connection circuitry 222 may provide the charging current to an
energy storage device 224 contained within the body 202 and
electrically coupled to the wired connection circuitry 222. The
energy storage device 224 may take any suitable form. In one
example, the energy storage device 224 is a battery--e.g., a
lithium ion battery. Alternative examples include super- and
ultra-capacitors. In general, the energy storage device 224 may be
replaceable and/or rechargeable. In some examples, recharging power
may be provided through the electrical connector 208.
[0030] In some examples, a device may serve as both a source of
data and power for the active stylus 200. In other examples, a
device may send/receive data without providing power to the active
stylus 200. In still other examples, a device may provide power
without sending/receiving data.
[0031] In addition to controlling the electrical connector 208, the
wired connection circuitry 222 is configured to detect a state of
the active stylus 200, and select a mode of operation of the active
stylus 200 based on the detected state. In some examples, the wired
connection circuitry 222 may switch the active stylus 200 between
operation in the wired connection mode and operation in the
electrostatic mode based on the detected state. The wired
connection circuitry 222 may select the mode of operation based on
any suitable state of the active stylus 200.
[0032] In some implementations, the wired connection circuitry 222
may select the mode of operation based on a detected mechanical
state of the active stylus 200. In the illustrated implementation,
the active stylus 200 includes a removable cap 226 configured to
interface with the body 202 of the active stylus 200. In
particular, the removable cap 226 conceals the electrical connector
208 when the removable cap 226 is installed on the body 202, and
exposes the electrical connector when the removable cap 226 is
removed from the body 202. The wired connection circuitry 222
includes a cap detection mechanism 228 configured to detect whether
the removable cap is installed on the body 202. The cap detection
mechanism 228 may include any suitable type of detection mechanism.
In one example, the cap detection mechanism 228 includes a Hall
effect sensor configured to detect the presence of a magnet
incorporated into the removable cap 226. In another example, the
cap detection mechanism 228 includes an optical sensor. In still
another example, the cap detection mechanism 228 includes a
mechanical switch that is toggled when the removable cap 226 is
installed or removed.
[0033] The wired connection circuitry 222 operates the active
stylus 200 in the electrostatic mode when the removable cap is
installed on the body, as detected by the cap detection mechanism
228. Note that the removable cap 226 may be made of a material that
is suitable to allow excitation waveforms to be emanated through
the removable cap 226, so as to allow the active stylus 200 to
capacitively couple with a device when operating in the
electrostatic mode. Example materials that the cap may be made out
of include plastic and rubber.
[0034] Furthermore, the wired connection circuitry 222 operates the
active stylus in the wired connection mode when the removable cap
226 is removed from the body 202, as detected by the cap detection
mechanism 228. In the illustrated implementation, the wireless
connection circuitry 222 includes a power switch 230 electrically
intermediate the housing 212 of the electrical connector 208 and
ground 232. The cap detection mechanism 228 is operatively coupled
to the power switch 230 such that the cap detection mechanism 228
controls the state of the power switch 230. In particular, the cap
detection mechanism 228 controls the power switch 230 to
electrically connect the housing 212 of the electrical connector
208 to ground 232 based on the cap detection mechanism 228
detecting that the removable cap 226 is removed from the body 202
of the active stylus 200. As such, the housing 212 may be
maintained at ground 232 while the electrical connector 208 is
being used to form a wired connection with a device--i.e., when the
removable cap 226 is removed. In one example, the power switch 230
is a low impedance switch that allows for lower-power driver
circuitry to be used in the electrostatic circuitry 216, and as a
result allows for more power efficient operation of the active
stylus 200.
[0035] In some implementations, an output of the electrostatic
circuitry 216 may be driven to ground based on the cap detection
mechanism 228 detecting that the removable cap 226 is removed from
the body 202 of the active stylus 200. In other words, the
electrostatic circuitry 216 may be disabled based on the removable
cap 226 being removed from the body 202. In some implementations,
the active stylus may include an additional power switch
electrically intermediate the electrostatic circuitry 216 and the
electrical connector 208. The additional power switch may isolate
the electrostatic circuitry 216 from the electrical connector 208
when the removable cap 226 is removed from the body 202 (or the
active stylus is otherwise operating in the wired connection mode).
Such a configuration may be employed to save power in the case that
the device does not provide power when the active stylus is
operating in wired connection mode. Moreover, such a configuration
may be employed to reduce signal noise from the electrostatic
circuitry 216 when data is being transferred via the electrical
connector 208 during operation in the wired connection mode.
[0036] Furthermore, the cap detection mechanism 228 controls the
power switch 230 to electrically isolate the electrical connector
208 from ground 232 based on the cap detection mechanism 228
detecting that the removable cap 226 is installed on the body 202.
When the electrical connector 208 is isolated from ground 232, the
electrostatic circuitry 216 may drive the electrical connector 208
with one or more excitation waveforms. According to such a
configuration, the removable cap 226 acts as trigger for switching
between operation in the wired connection mode and operation in the
electrostatic mode.
[0037] Any suitable change in mechanical state of the active stylus
200 may trigger a switch in operating modes. In another example,
the active stylus may include a physical button that may be toggled
to switch operating modes. In still another example, a change in
position of the electrical connector may be used to trigger a
switch in operating modes. For example, the electrical connector
may be configured to move between a retracted position within the
body and an exposed position in which the electrical connector
extends from the body. When the electrical connector is in the
retracted position, the active stylus operates in the electrostatic
mode. Further, when the electrical connector is in the extended
position, the active stylus operates in the wired connection
mode.
[0038] In some implementations, the wired connection circuitry 222
may be configured to set the mode of operation of the active stylus
200 based on receiving a signal from a device. For example, the
wired connection circuitry 222 may detect a voltage signal (e.g.,
supply voltage (Vdd)) from the device on a designated power supply
conductor of the plurality of conductors 214. In other words, when
the power supply pin goes high, it indicates that a wired
connection is formed between the electrical connector 208 and a
device. This indication may trigger a switch from operation in the
electrostatic mode to operation in the wired connection mode. The
wired connection circuitry 222 may switch the mode of operation of
the active stylus 200 based on receiving any suitable signal from a
device.
[0039] FIGS. 3-6 show example scenarios where an active stylus
operates in different modes in which an electrical connector
provides different functionality. In FIGS. 3-4, an active stylus
300 is shown operating in an electrostatic mode based on a
removable cap 302 being installed on the active stylus 300. In FIG.
3, an electrode tip 304 is driven with a first excitation waveform
306 to form a capacitive coupling with electrodes of a
touch-sensitive display device 308. The first excitation waveform
306 influences a capacitance on the electrodes of the
touch-sensitive display device 308, and the first excitation
waveform 306 is thereby transmitted to the touch-sensitive display
device 308. The touch-sensitive display device 308 interprets the
first excitation waveform 306, and displays a digital ink trace 310
based on the input from the electrode tip 304. It will be
appreciated that a capacitance on the electrode tip 304 may be
influenced by excitation waveforms from electrodes of the
touch-sensitive display device 308 during this interaction as
well.
[0040] In FIG. 4, an electrical connector 312 that is concealed by
the removable cap 302 is driven with a second, different excitation
waveform 314 to form a capacitive coupling with the electrodes of
the touch-sensitive display device 308. The second excitation
waveform 314 influences a capacitance on the electrodes of the
touch-sensitive display device 308, and the second excitation
waveform 314 is thereby transmitted to the touch-sensitive display
device 308. The touch-sensitive display device 308 interprets the
second excitation waveform 314 and differentiates it from the first
excitation waveform 306. The touch-sensitive display device 308
erases a portion of the digital ink trace 310 based on the input
from the electrical connector 312. It will be appreciated that a
capacitance on the electrical connector 312 may be influenced by
excitation waveforms from electrodes of the touch-sensitive display
device 308 during this interaction as well.
[0041] In the scenario illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, when the active
stylus 300 is operating in the electrostatic mode, the electrode
tip 304 is configured to provide digital inking functionality and
the electrical connector 312 functions as an electrostatic
electrode that is configured to provide digital eraser
functionality.
[0042] In FIGS. 5-6, the active stylus 300 is shown operating in a
wired connection mode based on the removable cap 302 being removed
from the active stylus 300. When the active stylus 300 operates in
the wired connection mode, a housing of the electrical connector
312 is maintained at ground so that the electrical connector 312
may form a suitable wired connection with a device. In FIG. 5, the
electrical connector 312 is plugged into a socket 316 of a device
318 to form a wired connection with the device 318. In this
example, the device 318 is a power device, such as an electrical
socket, a battery charger, or a computing device. In particular,
the device 318 includes a power source 320 configured to provide
power to the active stylus 300. When the electrical connector 312
is plugged into the socket 316, wired connection circuitry 322 of
the active stylus 300 is configured to receive, via the electrical
connector 312, charging current from the power source 320. The
wired connection circuitry 322 is further configured to provide the
charging current to an energy storage device 324 electrically
coupled to the wired connection circuitry 322. Accordingly, the
active stylus 300 may be recharged/powered by the device 318, via
the wired connection provided by the electrical connector 312.
[0043] In FIG. 6, the electrical connector 312 is plugged into a
socket 326 of a device 3328 to form a wired connection with the
device 328. The wired connection circuitry 322 is configured to
receive, via the electrical connector 312, one or more data signals
from a processor 330 of the device 328. Further, the wired
connection circuitry 322 is configured to transmit, via the
electrical connector 312, one or more data signals to the processor
330 of the device 328. Accordingly, data communication may be
enabled between the active stylus 300 and the device 328, via the
wired connection provided by the electrical connector 312.
[0044] In an example, an active stylus comprises a body. an
electrical connector operatively coupled to the body and configured
to electrically couple the active stylus with a device via a wired
connection, wired connection circuitry contained within the body
and electrically coupled to the electrical connector and configured
to hold at least a portion of the electrical connector at ground
when the active stylus operating in a wired connection mode, and
electrostatic circuitry contained within the body and electrically
coupled to the electrical connector and configured to transmit or
receive, via the electrical connector, one or more excitation
waveforms when the active stylus is operating in an electrostatic
mode. In this example and/or other examples, the active stylus may
further comprise an energy storage device contained within the body
and electrically coupled to the wired connection circuitry, and the
wired connection circuitry may be configured to, when the
electrical connector is electrically coupled to the device and when
the active stylus is operating in the wired connection mode,
receive, via the electrical connector, charging current from the
device and provide the charging current to the energy storage
device. In this example and/or other examples, the wired connection
circuitry may be configured to, when the electrical connector is
electrically coupled to the device and when the active stylus is
operating in the wired connection mode, receive, via the electrical
connector, one or more data signals from the device and/or
transmit, via the electrical connector, one or more data signals to
the device. In this example and/or other examples, an output of the
electrostatic circuitry may be driven to ground when the active
stylus is operating in the wired connection mode. In this example
and/or other examples, the electrical connector may include a
conductive housing and a plurality of conductors contained within
the conductive housing, and the wired connection circuitry may be
configured to hold the conductive housing at ground when the active
stylus is operating in the wired connection mode. In this example
and/or other examples, the electrostatic circuitry may be
electrically coupled to the conductive housing and configured to
transmit or receive, via the conductive housing, the one or more
excitation waveforms when the active stylus is operating in the
electrostatic mode. In this example and/or other examples, the
wired connection circuitry may be configured to set the active
stylus to operation in the wired connection mode and hold the
conductive housing at ground based on detecting a voltage signal
from the device on a power supply conductor of the plurality of
conductors. In this example and/or other examples, the wired
connection circuitry may be configured to detect a mechanical state
of the active stylus and switch the active stylus between operation
in the wired connection mode and operation in the electrostatic
mode based on the detected mechanical state of the active stylus.
In this example and/or other examples, the active stylus may
further comprises a removable cap configured to conceal the
electrical connector when the removable cap is installed on the
body of the active stylus, and expose the electrical connector when
the removable cap is removed from the body of the active stylus,
and the wired connection circuitry may be configured to detect
whether the removable cap is installed on the body, operate the
active stylus in the electrostatic mode when the removable cap is
installed on the body, and operate the active stylus in the wired
connection mode when the removable cap is removed from the body. In
this example and/or other examples, the active stylus, may further
comprise a power switch electrically intermediate the electrical
connector and ground, and the wired connection circuitry may be
configured to control the power switch to electrically connect the
electrical connector to ground when the active stylus is operating
in the wired connection mode and electrically isolate the
electrical connector from ground when the active stylus is
operating in the electrostatic mode. In this example and/or other
examples, the active stylus may further comprise an electrode tip
operatively coupled to a first end of the body and electrically
coupled to the electrostatic circuitry, the electrical connector
may be operatively coupled to a second, opposing end of the body,
and the electrostatic circuitry may be configured to transmit, via
the electrode tip, one or more excitation waveforms when the active
stylus is operating in the electrostatic mode. In this example
and/or other examples, when the active stylus is operating in the
electrostatic mode, the electrode tip may be configured to provide
digital inking functionality and the electrical connector may be
configured to provide digital erasing functionality.
[0045] In an example, an active stylus comprises a body including a
first end and a second end that opposes the first end, an electrode
tip operatively coupled to the first end of the body, an electrical
connector operatively coupled to the second end of the body and
configured to electrically couple the active stylus with a device
via a wired connection, wired connection circuitry contained within
the body and electrically coupled to the electrical connector and
configured to hold at least a portion of the electrical connector
at ground when the active stylus is operating in a wired connection
mode, and electrostatic circuitry contained within the body and
electrically coupled to the electrode tip and the electrical
connector, the electrostatic circuitry being configured to
transmit, via the electrode tip, one or more excitation waveforms
when the active stylus is operating in an electrostatic mode, and
transmit, via the electrical connector, one or more excitation
waveforms when the active stylus is operating in the electrostatic
mode. In this example and/or other examples, the active stylus may
further comprises an energy storage device contained within the
body and electrically coupled to the wired connection circuitry,
and the wired connection circuitry may be configured to, when the
electrical connector is electrically coupled to the device and when
the active stylus is operating in the wired connection mode,
receive, via the electrical connector, charging current from the
device and provide the charging current to the energy storage
device. In this example and/or other examples, the wired connection
circuitry may be configured to, when the electrical connector is
electrically coupled to the device and when the active stylus is
operating in the wired connection mode, receive, via the electrical
connector, one or more data signals from the device and/or
transmit, via the electrical connector, one or more data signals to
the device. In this example and/or other examples, an output of the
electrostatic circuitry may be driven to ground when the active
stylus is operating in the wired connection mode. In this example
and/or other examples, the wired connection circuitry may be
configured to detect a mechanical state of the active stylus and
switch the active stylus between operation in the wired connection
mode and operation in the electrostatic mode based on the detected
mechanical state of the active stylus. In this example and/or other
examples, the active stylus may further comprise a removable cap
configured to conceal the electrical connector when the removable
cap is installed on the body of the active stylus, and expose the
electrical connector when the removable cap is removed from the
body of the active stylus, and the wired connection circuitry may
be configured to detect whether the removable cap is installed on
the body, operate the active stylus in the electrostatic mode when
the removable cap is installed on the body, and operate the active
stylus in the wired connection mode when the removable cap is
removed from the body. In this example and/or other examples, the
active stylus may further comprise a power switch electrically
intermediate the electrical connector and ground, and the wired
connection circuitry may be configured to control the power switch
to electrically connect the electrical connector to ground when the
active stylus is operating in the wired connection mode and
electrically isolate the electrical connector from ground when the
active stylus is operating in the electrostatic mode.
[0046] In an example, an active stylus comprises a body, an
electrical connector operatively coupled to the body and configured
to electrically couple the active stylus with a device via a wired
connection, a removable cap configured to conceal the electrical
connector when the removable cap is installed on the body and
expose the electrical connector when the removable cap is removed
from the body, a power switch electrically intermediate the
electrical connector and ground, wired connection circuitry
contained within the body and electrically coupled to the
electrical connector and the power switch, the wired connection
circuitry configured to control the power switch to electrically
connect the electrical connector to ground if the removable cap is
installed on the body, and control the power switch to electrically
isolate the electrical connector from ground if the removable cap
is removed from the body, and electrostatic circuitry contained
within the body and electrically coupled to the electrical
connector and configured to transmit, via the electrical connector,
one or more excitation waveforms based on the power switch being
controlled to electrically isolate the electrical connector from
ground.
[0047] It will be understood that the configurations and/or
approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these
specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a
limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The
specific routines or methods described herein may represent one or
more of any number of processing strategies. As such, various acts
illustrated and/or described may be performed in the sequence
illustrated and/or described, in other sequences, in parallel, or
omitted. Likewise, the order of the above-described processes may
be changed.
[0048] The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all
novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the
various processes, systems and configurations, and other features,
functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any
and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *