Patent ID: 7145555
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A passive stylus system for providing input to an electronic appliance, wherein the passive stylus utilizes a permanent magnet to provide passive stylus location information to a magnetic sensor system, said passive stylus system comprising: a passive stylus including at least one permanent magnet; a magnetic sensor system for determining a location of the at least one permanent magnet disposed within the passive stylus wherein the magnetic sensor system further comprises at least two magnetic sensors that provide x and y coordinate information that are capable of (1) detecting the at least one permanent magnet, (2) determining a location of the at least one permanent magnet relative to a reference point, and (3) transmitting the location of the at least one permanent magnet; wherein a circular triangulation formula is used for determining the location of the passive stylus, wherein data from the at least two magnetic sensors is utilized in the circular triangulation formula to reduce inaccuracies in passive stylus position determination due to inclination or movement of the passive stylus; and an electronic appliance for receiving input from the magnetic sensor system regarding the location of the at least one permanent magnet within the area of operation, wherein the input is interpreted to be alphanumerical text, cursor control, or graphical data.