Patent · US Expired

Stylus or pen with tactile response to user

US4667182A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 1983
Grant dateMay 19, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/03545
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A stylus for interactive use with a graphics input tablet provides a user with a tactile response whenever the stylus tip (5) passes through the in-presence boundary of the tablet. The boundary defines the limit of the distance of the stylus above the tablet surface beyond which stylus position signals are regarded as unreliable. The tactile response is produced by a movable mass (2) within the body (1) of the stylus which is propelled by an internal mechanism (9, 10) into a lower end stop (11) as the tip passes through the in-presence boundary towards the tablet, and into an upper end stop (3) as the stylus passes through the boundary away from the tablet. The tactile response experience by a user in each case is different. In an alternative arrangement, the stylus tip (5) is attached to the moving mass (2) and arranged normally to be held retracted within the stylus body (1) but to automatically protrude from the body as the end of the stylus passes through the in-presence boundary.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.