Electronic stylus with retention mechanism that charges battery from computing device

An electronic stylus can include an elongated body, a rechargeable battery supported by the elongated body, a retention mechanism extending from the elongated body, a retention mechanism, and a release mechanism. The retention mechanism can include an electrically conductive contact. The electrically conductive contact can be electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. The release mechanism can be configured to cause the electrically conductive contact to retract within the retention mechanism.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to electronic styluses.

BACKGROUND

Electronic styluses can be used to provide input to computing devices, enabling a user to provide input to the computing device as if drawing on a piece of paper. Active styluses, which transmit signals indicating a location of the stylus, can include electronic components that make the stylus too thick to store inside the computing device.

SUMMARY

An electronic stylus can include a retention mechanism that includes an electrical contact. The retention mechanism can secure the electronic stylus to a computing device while the electrical contact conducts electricity from the computing device to a rechargeable battery of the stylus. A release mechanism can cause the electrical contact to retract within the retention mechanism, releasing the stylus from the computing device.

According to an example, an electronic stylus can include an elongated body, a rechargeable battery supported by the elongated body, a retention mechanism extending from the elongated body, a retention mechanism, and a release mechanism. The retention mechanism can include an electrically conductive contact. The electrically conductive contact can be electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. The release mechanism can be configured to cause the electrically conductive contact to retract within the retention mechanism.

According to an example, a method of securing and releasing an electronic stylus to and from a computing device can include pressing a retention mechanism of the electronic stylus against a spring-loaded cover of the computing device, the pressing the retention mechanism against the spring-loaded cover causing the spring-loaded cover to retract into the computing device and an electrically conductive contact of the retention mechanism to retract into an arm portion of the retention mechanism until the retention mechanism is fully inserted into the computing device, at which point the electrically conductive contact extends beyond the arm portion, securing the retention mechanism inside the computing device. The method can also include pressing on a button of a release mechanism of the electronic stylus, the pressing on the button of the release mechanism causing the electrically conductive contact to retract into the arm portion, releasing the electronic stylus from the computing device.

According to an example, a method of securing and releasing an electronic stylus to and from a computing device can include receiving pressure on a retention mechanism of the electronic stylus, the pressure on the retention mechanism causing the retention mechanism to press against a spring-loaded cover of the computing device, the pressing the retention mechanism against the spring-loaded cover causing the spring-loaded cover to retract into the computing device and an electrically conductive contact of the retention mechanism to retract into an arm portion of the retention mechanism until the retention mechanism is fully inserted into the computing device, at which point the electrically conductive contact extends beyond the arm portion, securing the retention mechanism inside the computing device. The method can also include receiving pressure on a button of a release mechanism of the electronic stylus, the pressure on the button of the release mechanism causing the electrically conductive contact to retract into the arm portion, releasing the electronic stylus from the computing device.

According to an example, a computing device can include a processor, a power source electrically coupled to the processor, a chassis enclosing the processor and the power source, the chassis defining an aperture, a spring-loaded cover biased to rest in the aperture, and a charging pad adjacent to the spring-loaded cover, the charging pad being electrically coupled to the power source.

According to an example, a system can include a computing device and an electronic stylus. The computing device can include a processor, a power source electrically coupled to the processor, a chassis enclosing the processor and the power source, the chassis defining an aperture, a spring-loaded cover biased to rest in the aperture, and a charging pad adjacent to the spring-loaded aperture, the charging pad being electrically coupled to the power source. The electronic stylus can include an elongated body comprising a writing end portion, a back end portion being opposite from the writing end portion, a rechargeable battery supported by the elongated body, a retention mechanism extending from the elongated body, the retention mechanism including an electrically conductive contact, the electrically conductive contact being electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery, the retention mechanism pressing the spring-loaded cover into the computing device, the electrically conductive contact being coupled to the charging pad, conducting current to the rechargeable battery, and securing the electronic stylus to the computing device by engaging the chassis, and a release mechanism configured to cause the electrically conductive contact to retract within the retention mechanism, disengaging the electrically conductive contact and releasing the electronic stylus from the computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a diagram of an electronic stylus according to an example embodiment. The electronic stylus100can have an elongated body102, being longer in a first direction from a writing end portion104to a back end portion106than in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The back end portion106can be opposite from the writing end portion. A diameter of the writing end portion104can narrow as a distance of the writing end portion104from the back end portion increases. The writing end portion104can be conical or rounded.

A user can place the stylus100near or on a display of a computing device (shown in subsequent figures) to provide input to the computing device, treating the stylus100like a pen to write on the display. The stylus110can include a location transmitter110, proximal to the writing end portion104and/or closer to the writing end portion104than to the back end portion106. The location transmitter110can indicate to the computing device the location of the stylus100, and the computing device can respond, such as by a drawing program adding lines or other graphical output to portions of the display proximal to the stylus100.

The stylus100can include a rechargeable battery108. The rechargeable battery108can provide power to the location transmitter110. The rechargeable battery108can recharge by receiving current and/or electricity from the computing device.

The stylus100can include a retention mechanism113. The retention mechanism113can be disposed closer to the back end portion106of the stylus100than to the writing end portion104of the stylus100. In the example shown inFIG. 1, the retention mechanism113can include a first arm portion114and a second arm portion116. The first arm portion114can extend away from the elongated body102. The second arm portion116can extend from the first arm portion114in a direction that is parallel to the direction that the elongated body102extends, such as from the back end portion106to the writing end portion104.

In some examples, the first arm portion114and the second arm portion116can be connected to form an L-shaped retention mechanism. In some examples, the arms114,116can be connected to form a right angle at a point where the two arms114,116are connected to each other and/or are integrally formed. In some examples, the retention mechanism113is not L-shaped, but can be other shapes due to the lengths of the arm portions114,116.

The retention mechanism113can include an electrically conductive contact112. The electrically conductive contact112can electrically couple the battery108to a power source in the computing device, enabling the battery108to receive power from the computing device. The electrically conductive contact112can extend into and/or through the first and second arm portions114,116. In a biased state, the electrically conductive contact112can extend beyond the second arm portion116. The extension of the electrically conductive contact112beyond the second arm portion116can secure the stylus100to the computing device, as shown and described with respect toFIGS. 3 and 6B.

The stylus100can also include a release mechanism117. The release mechanism117can release the stylus100from the computing device. In some examples, the release mechanism117can cause the electrically conductive contact112to retract within and/or into the retention mechanism113so that the stylus100is no longer secured to the computing device. The release mechanism117can, for example, cause the electrically conductive contact112to retract into and/or within the second arm portion116of the retention mechanism113.

In some examples, the release mechanism117can include a button118. The button118can cause the electrically conductive contact112to retract into and/or within the retention mechanism113and/or second arm portion116in response to pressure applied to the button118.

FIG. 2Ais a cutout view of a computing device200according to an example embodiment. The computing device200can interact with the stylus100by receiving input from the stylus100, such as indications of locations of the stylus100near and/or on a display222(shown inFIG. 2B) of the computing device, by securing the stylus100to the computing device200, and/or by recharging the stylus100.

The computing device200can include a processor212. The processor212can execute instructions such as instructions stored in memory. The memory may be included in the processor, or in a separate device included in the computing device200.

The computing device200can include a power source210. The power source210can provide power to components of the computing device200such as the processor212and/or the display222. The power source210can also provide power to the battery108and/or recharge the battery108.

The computing device200can include a charging pad208. The charging pad208can be coupled to the power source210. The charging pad208can contact the electrically conductive contact112of the stylus100when the stylus100is secured to the computing device200. The charging pad208can conduct electricity from the power source210to the battery108via the electrically conductive contact112when the stylus100is secured to the computing device200, recharging the battery108.

The computing device200can include a chassis202. The chassis202can enclose, surround, and/or support components and/or devices of the computing device200, such as the processor212and/or power source210.

The chassis202can define an aperture204. The aperture204can receive the retention mechanism113, which can include the arm portions114,116, when the stylus100is secured to the computing device200.

The computing device200can include a cover206. The cover206can fit inside and/or fill the aperture204. The cover206can be spring-loaded, and/or biased, to rest in the aperture204. In the biased position, the cover206can be flush with an outer portion of the chassis202, creating a smooth appearance from outside the computing device200.

The cover206can be adjacent to the charging pad208. The retention mechanism113, which can include the arm portions114,116, can press the cover206into an interior portion of the computing device200. The retention mechanism113can occupy some of the space previously occupied by the cover206. When the electrically conductive contact112extends beyond the retention mechanism113inside the computing device200, the electrically conductive contact112can engage and/or contact the charging pad208, electrically coupling the electrically conductive contact112to the charging pad208and enabling current to flow from the power source210to the battery108.

FIG. 2Bis a top view of the computing device200according to an example embodiment. The computing device200can include a display222. The display222can be surrounded and/or supported by a border220. The border220can be surrounded and/or supported by the chassis202.

The display222can present graphical output. The display222can also receive input, such as touch input and/or input from the stylus100. The display222can, for example, receive signals from the location transmitter110indicating a location of the stylus100and/or location transmitter110with respect to the display222.

FIG. 3is a diagram showing the stylus100secured in the computing device200according to an example embodiment. In this example, the retention mechanism113of the stylus100has entered the computing device200through the aperture204. In this example, a portion of the retention mechanism113, such as the second arm portion116, is in contact with the cover206and pressed the cover206into the computing device200.

In the example shown inFIG. 3, the electrically conductive contact112is in contact with the conductive pad208, electrically coupling the electrically conductive contact112to the conductive pad208and enabling electricity to flow from the power source210to the battery108. In this example, the extension of the electrically conductive contact112beyond the second arm portion116(not labeled inFIG. 3) secures the stylus100to the computing device by engaging the chassis202.

FIG. 4Ais a diagram showing a portion of the electronic stylus100according to an example embodiment. In some examples, the second arm116of the retention mechanism113can define an aperture116A or tunnel in which the electrically conductive contact116(not separately labeled inFIG. 4A) is disposed.

In some examples, the electrically conductive contact112can include a chamfered clip at an end portion112A. The chamfered clip at the end portion112A can cause the electrically conductive contact112to retract into the second arm portion116in response to pressure from the chassis202as the retention mechanism113and/or arm portion116is pressed against the cover206and into the aperture204.

A body portion112B of the electrically conductive contact112can define an aperture112C. The aperture112C can be triangular, and/or can narrow as the aperture112C extends into the body portion112B of the electrically conductive contact112. The triangular and/or narrowing shape of the aperture112C can cause the electrically conductive contact112to retract into the second arm portion in response to pressure from a chamfered clip406A (labeled inFIG. 4B) included in the release mechanism117of the stylus100. The electrically conductive contact112can include an end portion112D opposite from the chamfered end portion112A.

The retention mechanism113can include a spring404and/or coil. The spring404can be disposed inside the first arm portion114. The spring404can be disposed inside a cavity114A of the first arm portion114A. The spring404can apply pressure to the end portion112D of the electrically conductive contact112. The spring404can, by applying pressure to the end portion112D of the electrically conductive contact112, bias the end portion112A and/or chamfered clip of the electrically conductive contact112to extend away from the retention mechanism113and/or to extend beyond the second arm portion116.

The release mechanism117can cause the chamfered end portion112A to retract into the second arm portion116in response to pressure. The release mechanism117can include the button118, a rod406that engages the electrically conductive contact112, and a spring402. The spring402can bias the button118away from the elongated body. The spring402can bias the rod406away from the electrically conductive contact112.

FIG. 4Bis a diagram showing a portion of the electronic stylus100with the electrically conductive contact112retracted into an arm116of the retention mechanism113according to an example embodiment. In this example, pressure has been applied to the button118. The pressure applied to the button118overcomes the biasing force of the coil402and forces the button118into the stylus100, causing the rod406to press into the aperture112C defined by the body112of the electrically conductive contact112. A chamfered end portion406A of the rod engages the aperture112C defined by the electrically conductive contact112and forces the electrically conductive contact112to retract into the second arm116of the retention mechanism113.

FIG. 5Ais a perspective cutout view of a portion of the computing device200according to an example embodiment. In some examples, the cover204is spring-loaded to rest in the aperture204. The cover206can include a body portion206A that extends into and/or rests in the aperture204and an elongated portion206B that extends beyond the body portion206A.

The computing device200can include a spring502. The spring502can be in contact with the chassis202and a first end portion of the elongated portion206B. The spring502can bias the body portion206A of the cover206to rest in the aperture204.

The charging pad208can be in contact with the chassis202and a second end portion of the elongated portion206B. The contact by the charging pad208with the chassis202and the second end portion of the elongated portion206B can keep the cover204flush with the chassis202, and/or prevent the cover204from extending beyond the chassis202.

FIG. 5Bis a top cutout view of a portion of the computing device according to an example embodiment.FIG. 5Bshows similar features of the computing device200asFIG. 5A.

FIG. 6Ais a perspective view showing portions of the electronic stylus100and the computing device200with the electronic stylus100about to be secured to the computing device200according to an example embodiment. The second arm portion116can be pressed against the cover206in the direction indicated by the arrow. The pressure against the cover206can cause the cover206to retract into the computing device200. As the second arm portion116enters the aperture204, the chamfered shape of the end portion112A of the electrically conductive contact112can cause pressure from the chassis202to cause the electrically conductive contact112to retract into the second arm portion116of the retention mechanism113.

FIG. 6Bis a perspective view showing portions of the electronic stylus100and the computing device200with the electronic stylus100secured to the computing device200according to an example embodiment. The engagement of the end portion112A of the electrically conductive contact112against an end portion202A of the chassis202can secure the stylus100to the computing device200. Retraction of the electrically conductive contact into the arm portion116of the retention mechanism113can end the engagement of the end portion112A of the electrically conductive contact112against an end portion202A of the chassis202, releasing the stylus100from the computing device200.

FIG. 7is a flowchart showing a method of securing and releasing the electronic stylus100to and from the computing device200according to an example embodiment. According to some examples, the method can include pressing against the cover206of the computing device200(702). The pressing against the cover206can include receiving pressure on the retention mechanism113of the electronic stylus100. The pressure on the retention mechanism113can cause the retention mechanism113to press against a spring-loaded cover206of the computing device200. The pressing the retention mechanism113against the spring-loaded cover206can cause the spring-loaded cover206to retract into the computing device200and the electrically conductive contact112of the retention mechanism113to retract into an arm portion116of the retention mechanism113until the retention mechanism113is fully inserted into the computing device200, at which point the electrically conductive contact112extends beyond the arm portion116, securing the retention mechanism113inside the computing device200.

The method can include receiving pressure on a release mechanism117(704). The receiving pressure on the release mechanism117can include receiving pressure on a button118of the release mechanism117of the electronic stylus100. The pressure on the button118of the release mechanism117can cause the electrically conductive contact112to retract into the arm portion116, releasing the electronic stylus100from the computing device200.

According to some examples, the causing the spring-loaded cover206to retract can comprise causing a spring502inside the computing device200to lengthen.

According to some examples, the pressure on the button118of the release mechanism117can cause a spring402inside the retention mechanism to contract.

According to some examples, the extension of the electrically conductive contact112beyond the arm portion116can cause the electrically conductive contact112to be electrically coupled to a charging pad208of the computing device200.

FIG. 8shows an example of a generic computer device800and a generic mobile computer device850, which may be used with the techniques described here. The computer devices800,850can be examples of the computing device200described above. Computing device800is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, tablets, workstations, personal digital assistants, televisions, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computing devices. Computing device850is intended to represent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices. The components shown here, their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in this document.

Computing device800includes a processor802, memory804, a storage device806, a high-speed interface808connecting to memory804and high-speed expansion ports810, and a low speed interface812connecting to low speed bus814and storage device806. The processor802can be a semiconductor-based processor. The memory804can be a semiconductor-based memory. Each of the components802,804,806,808,810, and812, are interconnected using various busses, and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. The processor802can process instructions for execution within the computing device800, including instructions stored in the memory804or on the storage device806to display graphical information for a GUI on an external input/output device, such as display816coupled to high speed interface808. In other implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices800may be connected, with each device providing portions of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system).

The memory804stores information within the computing device800. In one implementation, the memory804is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory804is a non-volatile memory unit or units. The memory804may also be another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The high speed controller808manages bandwidth-intensive operations for the computing device800, while the low speed controller812manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions is exemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller808is coupled to memory804, display816(e.g., through a graphics processor or accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports810, which may accept various expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speed controller812is coupled to storage device806and low-speed expansion port814. The low-speed expansion port, which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet) may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch or router, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device800may be implemented in a number of different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as a standard server820, or multiple times in a group of such servers. It may also be implemented as part of a rack server system824. In addition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptop computer822. Alternatively, components from computing device800may be combined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such as device850. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computing device800,850, and an entire system may be made up of multiple computing devices800,850communicating with each other.

Computing device850includes a processor852, memory864, an input/output device such as a display854, a communication interface866, and a transceiver868, among other components. The device850may also be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or other device, to provide additional storage. Each of the components850,852,864,854,866, and868, are interconnected using various buses, and several of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate.

The processor852can execute instructions within the computing device850, including instructions stored in the memory864. The processor may be implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multiple analog and digital processors. The processor may provide, for example, for coordination of the other components of the device850, such as control of user interfaces, applications run by device850, and wireless communication by device850.

Processor852may communicate with a user through control interface858and display interface856coupled to a display854. The display854may be, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriate display technology. The display interface856may comprise appropriate circuitry for driving the display854to present graphical and other information to a user. The control interface858may receive commands from a user and convert them for submission to the processor852. In addition, an external interface862may be provided in communication with processor852, so as to enable near area communication of device850with other devices. External interface862may provide, for example, for wired communication in some implementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may also be used.

Device850may also communicate audibly using audio codec860, which may receive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digital information. Audio codec860may likewise generate audible sound for a user, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device850. Such sound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recorded sound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also include sound generated by applications operating on device850.

The computing device850may be implemented in a number of different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as a cellular telephone880. It may also be implemented as part of a smart phone882, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobile device.