Patent Publication Number: US-2012044214-A1

Title: Electronic device accessory and method of providing the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/376,233, filed Aug. 23, 2010, the disclosure for which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an electronic device accessory, and relates more particularly to an electronic device accessory that facilitates communication with and/or operation of an electronic device and methods of providing the same. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices, which are continuously condensed into ever smaller form factors, can be difficult to operate because user interfaces (e.g., touch screen displays, etc.) of the electronic devices are reduced in size to correspond to the smaller form factor of the electronic devices. Likewise, where operating the user interfaces of the electronic devices may entail touch communication (e.g., electrically capacitive input, electrically resistive input, etc.), contact between human fingers and the user interfaces can dirty the user interfaces with human sebum, reducing or preventing the ability to view the user interfaces. 
     Accordingly, a need or potential for benefit exists for a device that facilitates precision communication with and/or operation of an electronic device while preventing transfer of human sebum to a user interface of the electronic device and for methods of providing the same. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a multi-image view illustrating elements and functionality of an exemplary electronic device accessory; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric “operational” view detailing the functionality of the exemplary electronic device accessory of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric “operational” view detailing the functionality of the exemplary electronic device accessory of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view detailing multiple embodiments of an electronic device accessory, according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view detailing multiple embodiments illustrating various configurations of electronic device accessories, according to various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment of a method of providing an electronic device accessory. 
     
    
    
     For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus. 
     The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. 
     The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. 
     “Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a power signal, a data signal, and/or other types or combinations of electrical signals. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types. 
     The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable. 
     The term “mobile electronic device” as used herein refers to at least one of a digital music player, a digital video player, a digital music and video player, a cellular telephone (e.g., smart telephone), a personal digital assistant, a handheld digital computer (e.g., a calculator, a tablet personal computer, a netbook computer, a portable gaming console), or another suitable device configured to output audio and/or visual data. For example, a mobile electronic device can comprise the iPod®, iPhone®, iTouch®, or iPad® product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Likewise, a mobile electronic device can comprise a Blackberry® product by Research in Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, or a different product by a different manufacturer. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Some embodiments include a stylus. The stylus comprises a shaft. The shaft comprises a first end and a second end. The stylus also comprises a mass, and the mass comprises a deformable material. The stylus further comprises a skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The mass can be located at the first end of the shaft. At least a first portion of an exterior of the shaft can comprise a first electrically conductive material. At least a first portion of the outer surface of the skin can comprise a second electrically conductive material. The skin can enclose the mass between the inner surface of the skin and the first end of the shaft. The at least the first portion of the outer surface of the skin can be electrically coupled to the at least the first portion of the exterior of the shaft. 
     Other embodiments include a method of providing a stylus. The method can comprise: providing a shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein at least a first portion of an exterior of the shaft comprises a first electrically conductive material; providing a mass at the first end of the shaft, wherein the mass comprises a deformable material; providing a skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein at least a first portion of the outer surface of the skin comprises a second electrically conductive material; enclosing the mass within the skin such that the mass is disposed between the inner surface of the skin and the first end of the shaft; and electrically coupling the at least the first portion of the outer surface of the skin to the at least the first portion of the exterior of the shaft. 
     Still other embodiments include a stylus. The stylus comprises a shaft. The shaft comprises a first end and a second end. The stylus also comprises a mass, and the mass comprises a deformable material. The stylus further comprises a skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The mass can be located at the first end of the shaft. The mass can comprise one of a contiguous mass or multiple constituent sub-masses. The deformable material can comprise at least one of rubber, foam rubber, soft plastic, or sand. The at least a first portion of an exterior of the shaft can comprise a first electrically conductive material. The first electrically conductive material can comprise at least one of copper, silver, gold, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, iron, carbon, or tin. At least a first portion of the outer surface of the skin can comprises a second electrically conductive material. The second electrically conductive material can comprise at least one of copper, silver, gold, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, iron, carbon, or tin. The skin can comprise at least one of rubber, stretchy fabric, or foam rubber. The skin can enclose the mass between the inner surface of the skin and the first end of the shaft. The at least the first portion of the outer surface of the skin can be electrically coupled to the at least the first portion of the exterior of the shaft. The stylus can be configured such that when the skin of the stylus contacts a surface of a mobile electronic device, the surface of the electronic device being configured to receive at least one of an electrically capacitive input or an electrically resistive input, the skin and the shaft electrically couple a hand of a user to the surface. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a multi-image view  100  that illustrates the elements as well as the functionality of an exemplary electronic device accessory  110 . Electronic device accessory  110  can be configured to facilitate precision communication with and/or operation of an electronic device comprising user interface  150  (e.g., a touch screen surface) while preventing transfer of human sebum to user interface  150 . In some embodiments, electronic device accessory  110  can be referred to as a stylus. The electronic device can comprise any suitable electronic device comprising user interface  150 , but in many embodiments, the electronic device comprises a mobile electronic device. Meanwhile, user interface  150  can be implemented as any suitable touch screen surface, such as, for example a capacitive touch screen surface, a resistive touch screen surface, a combination resistive/capacitive touch screen surface, and the like. 
     Electronic device accessory  110  comprises shaft  111 . Shaft  111  can comprise first end  114 , second end  115 , and exterior  118 . Electronic device accessory  110  further comprises mass  112  and skin  113 . Skin  113  can comprise inner surface  116  and/or outer surface  117 . 
     The term “shaft” is used for convenience of reference and should not be interpreted as limiting. Accordingly, shaft  111  can be any suitably shaped body functioning similarly to shaft  111 , as described below. 
     At least a first portion and/or all of exterior  118  of shaft  111  can comprise a first electrically conductive material. For example, the first electrically conductive material can comprise copper, silver, gold, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, iron, carbon, and/or tin. In one embodiment, if only a portion (e.g., the first portion) of exterior  118  of shaft  111  is electrically conductive, then the portion can contact a user&#39;s hand when the user operates electronic device accessory  110 . In some embodiments, at least a second portion of exterior  118  of shaft  111  comprises a non-electrically conductive material. For example, the non-electrically conductive material can comprise wood, plastic, non-ferrous metal, and/or glass. 
     Meanwhile, at least first portion and/or all of outer surface  117  of skin  113  can comprise a second electrically conductive material. The second electrically conductive material can be similar or identical to the first electrically conductive material or in other embodiments, may be different from the first electrically conductive material. Accordingly, the second electrically conductive material can comprise copper, silver, gold, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, iron, carbon, and/or tin. 
     In many embodiments, the first portion and/or all of outer surface  117  of skin  113  can be electrically coupled to the first portion and/or all of exterior  118  of shaft  111 . Accordingly, as expanded upon below, electronic device accessory  110  can be configured such that when the electrically conductive portion of skin  113  contacts user interface  150  of an electronic device, the electrically conductive portion of skin  113  and shaft  111  electrically couple a hand of a user to user interface  150 . As a result, the user can communicate with and/or operate the electronic device via user interface  150  using electronic device accessory  110 . 
     Mass  112  can be located at first end  114  of shaft  111 . For example, mass  112  can be configured to abut first end  114  of shaft  111 . Accordingly, by abutting first end  114  of shaft  111 , mass  112  can provide a desired “feel” to a user when the user is operating electronic device accessory  110  in conjunction with an electronic device. The referenced “feel” can be similar or identical to the feeling of using a writing implement (e.g., a pen, a pencil, etc.). 
     Mass  112  can comprise a deformable material. For example, the deformable material comprises at least one of rubber, foam rubber, soft plastic, a pressurized gas, or sand. In these embodiments, soft plastic can refer to plastics having a Shore A durometer between 0-80. In some embodiments, mass  112  can comprise a contiguous mass and/or multiple constituent sub-masses (e.g., sand). Accordingly, mass  112  can be configured to deform and/or to be deformed. In many embodiments, mass  112  can be deformed as a result of force being applied to mass  112 , such as, when electronic device accessory  110  and/or skin  113  are being pushed against user interface  150 . 
     Meanwhile, skin  113  can enclose and/or can be configured to enclose mass  112  at and/or between inner surface  116  and first end  114  of shaft  111 . Thus, skin  113  can secure and/or can be configured to secure mass  112  to shaft  111  and/or first end  114 . In some embodiments, skin  113  can secure and/or can be configured to secure mass  112  within and/or partially within an interior of shaft  111 . 
     In various embodiments, skin  113  can enable and/or can be configured to permit mass  112  to deform from one shape to another shape when skin  113  is enclosing mass  112  at and/or between inner surface  116  and first end  114  of shaft  111 . Accordingly, skin  113  can comprise rubber, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, fabric (e.g., nylon and/or spandex), foam rubber, and/or any other material suitably configured to permit mass  112  to deform from one shape to another. Although a gap is shown in  FIG. 1  between mass  112  and inner surface  116 , the gap may be omitted from electronic device accessory  110 . 
     Meanwhile, skin  113  can also comprise the second electrically conductive material, as described above with respect to outer surface  117  of skin  113 . Nonetheless, skin  113  also can prevent and/or can be configured to prevent mass  112  from separating from shaft  111 , particularly where mass  112  comprises multiple constituent sub-masses (e.g., sand), as described above. 
     In still other embodiments, skin  113  can enable and/or can be configured to enable electronic device accessory  110  to glide (e.g., smoothly) across user interface  150  of the electronic device. Accordingly, outer surface  117  of skin  113  can comprise a low coefficient of friction (e.g., less than or equal to approximately 0.5, 0.7, and/or 0.9). 
     In some embodiments, skin  113  can be configured to be replaceable with another skin. In these embodiments, skin  113  can be replaced where the other skin(s) may more optimally glide across user interface  150 . Likewise, skin  113  can be replaced where skin  113  has worn out from use. 
     Multi-image view  100  additionally illustrates electronic device accessories  120 ,  130 , and  140 . Electronic devices accessories  120 ,  130 , and/or  140  can be similar or identical to electronic device accessory  110 . Electronic device accessories  120 ,  130 , and/or  140  further detail the interaction of mobile device accessory  110  with user interface  150 . 
     Accordingly, electronic device accessory  120  includes shaft  121 , mass  122  and skin  123 . Meanwhile, electronic device accessory  130  comprises shaft  131 , mass  132 , and skin  133 . Likewise, electronic device accessory  140  comprises shaft  141 , mass  142 , and skin  143 . Shaft  121 , shaft  131 , and/or shaft  141  can be similar or identical to shaft  111 . Mass  122 , mass  132 , and/or mass  142  can be similar or identical to mass  112 . Skin  123 , skin  133 , and/or skin  143  can be similar or identical to skin  113 . 
     Mobile device accessory  120 , as well as user interface  150  and associated minimum contact area  152  illustrate what occurs as any of electronic device accessories  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and/or  140  approach user interface  150 . Electronic device accessory  130 , as well as user interface  150  and associated minimum contact area  153  illustrate any of electronic device accessories  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and/or  140  performing in the manner of a conventional stylus interacting with user interface  150 . Mobile device accessory  140  as well as user interface  150  and associated minimum contact area  154  illustrate that a more natural drawing position can be advantageously achieved when utilizing any of electronic device accessories  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and/or  140  and interacting with user interface  150  while still maintaining associated minimum contact area  154 . A conventional stylus cannot be effectively operated in this manner, and/or the portion of a conventional stylus that contacts user interface  150  cannot deform in the manner of electronic device access  140 . Minimum contact area  154  can be similar or identical to minimum contact area  153 . The phrase “minimum contact area” can reference a sufficient surface area of contact between skin  113  and user interface  150  to establish an effective electrical coupling between skin  113  and user interface  150 . 
     In many embodiments, shaft  111 , shaft  121 , shaft  131 , and/or shaft  141  can comprise a cross-section. In some embodiments, the cross-section can comprises at least one of a circle, an oval, or a polygon. In the same or different embodiments, the cross-section further comprises an area. In the same or different embodiments, the area is constant along the shaft. In other embodiments, the area is not constant along the shaft. In many embodiments, shaft  111 , shaft  121 , shaft  131 , and/or shaft  141  can comprise a hollow center. 
     In some embodiments, electronic device accessory  110  and/or second end  115  can comprise a clip mechanism. The clip mechanism can be configured to couple electronic device accessory  110  to an object (e.g., one or more pieces of paper, a shirt collar, etc.). The clip mechanism can be similar or identical to any suitable clipping mechanism of a writing implement, such as, a pen. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric “operational” view  200  detailing the functionality of the exemplary electronic device accessory  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Isometric “operational” view  200  details the interaction of electronic device accessory  210  with user interface  250 . Electronic device accessory  210  can be similar or identical to electronic device accessory  110  ( FIG. 1 ), and/or user interface  250  can be similar or identical to user interface  150  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, electronic device accessory  210  can comprise shaft  211 , a mass (not shown), and skin  213 , each of which can be similar or identical to shaft  111  ( FIG. 1 ), mass  112  ( FIG. 1 ), and skin  113  ( FIG. 1 ), respectively. Mobile device accessory  210  can comprise ring or collar  219  to mechanically and electrically couple skin  213  to shaft  211 . In  FIG. 2 , electronic device accessory  210  is contacting user interface  250 . In some embodiments, electronic device accessory  210  is contacting user interface  250  as illustrated by mobile device accessory  140  ( FIG. 1 ) and associated minimum contact area  154  ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, electronic device accessory  210  is contacting user interface  250  prior to a user drawing on touch screen surface  250  with mobile device accessory  210 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric “operational” view  300  detailing the functionality of the exemplary electronic device accessory  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Isometric “operational” view  300  details the interaction of electronic device accessory  310  with user interface  350 . Electronic device accessory  310  can be similar or identical to electronic device accessory  110  ( FIG. 1 ), and/or user interface  350  can be similar or identical to user interface  150  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, electronic device accessory  310  can comprise shaft  311 , a mass (not shown), and skin  313 , each of which can be similar or identical to shaft  111  ( FIG. 1 ), mass  112  ( FIG. 1 ), and skin  113  ( FIG. 1 ), respectively. In  FIG. 3 , electronic device accessory  310  is contacting user interface  350  and moving along the surface of user interface  350  to create line  351  at user interface  350 . In some embodiments, electronic device accessory  310  is contacting user interface  350 , as illustrated by electronic device accessory  140  ( FIG. 1 ) and associated minimum contact area  154  ( FIG. 1 ), and is moving along the surface of touch screen surface  350  to provide line  351 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view  400  detailing multiple embodiments of an electronic device accessory. Side view  400  illustrates electronic device accessories  410  and  420 . Electronic device accessories  410  and/or  420  can be similar to electronic device accessory  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Electronic device accessory  410  can comprise shaft  411 , a mass (not shown), and skin  413 , each of which can be similar or identical to shaft  111  ( FIG. 1 ), mass  112  ( FIG. 1 ), and skin  113  ( FIG. 1 ), respectively. Meanwhile, electronic device accessory  420  can comprise shaft  421 , a mass (not shown), and skin  423 , each of which can be similar or identical to shaft  111  ( FIG. 1 ), mass  112  ( FIG. 1 ), and skin  113  ( FIG. 1 ), respectively. View  400  illustrates different types of writing implements that can incorporate the embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view  500  detailing multiple embodiments illustrating various configurations of electronic device accessories. View  500  illustrates electronic device accessories  510  and  520 . Electronic device accessories  510  and/or  520  can be similar or identical to electronic device accessory  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Electronic device accessory  510  can comprise shaft  511  comprising conductive portion  514  and non-conductive portion  515 , a mass (not shown), and skin  513 . Shaft  511  can be similar of identical to shaft  111  ( FIG. 1 ); the mass can be similar or identical to mass  112  ( FIG. 1 ); and/or skin  513  can be similar or identical to skin  113  ( FIG. 1 ). Meanwhile, electronic device accessory  520  comprises shaft  521  comprising conductive portion  524  and non-conductive portion  525 , a mass (not shown), and skin  523 . Shaft  521  can be similar of identical to shaft  111  ( FIG. 1 ); the mass can be similar or identical to mass  112  ( FIG. 1 ); and/or skin  523  can be similar or identical to skin  113  ( FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, in some embodiments and as described above, electronic device accessory  510  can be manufactured so that only the lower portion comprises conductive materials. In other embodiments, electronic device accessory  520  can be manufactured so that only a small portion of shaft  521  comprises conductive materials. View  500  illustrates two of the many ways to manufacture embodiments of shaft  111 ,  121 ,  131 ,  141 ,  211 ,  311 ,  411 ,  421 ,  511 , and/or  521 , such as, for example to reduce material costs, enhance sustainability, and the like. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment of a method  600  of providing an electronic device accessory. Method  600  is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method  600  can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of method  600  can be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities of the method  600  can be performed in any other suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the procedures, the processes, and/or the activities in method  600  can be combined or skipped. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , method  600  can comprise procedure  601  of providing a shaft comprising a first end and a second end. The shaft can be similar or identical to shaft  111  ( FIG. 1 ). The first end can be similar or identical to first end  114  ( FIG. 1 ), and/or the second end can be similar or identical to second end  115  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Method  600  can comprise procedure  602  providing a mass. Procedure  602  can comprise providing the mass at the first end of the shaft. The mass can be similar or identical to mass  112  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Method  600  can comprise procedure  603  of providing a skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The skin can be similar or identical to skin  113  ( FIG. 1 ). The inner surface can be similar or identical to inner surface  116  ( FIG. 1 ), and/or the outer surface can be similar or identical to outer surface  117  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Method  600  can comprise procedure  604  of enclosing the mass within the skin such that the mass is disposed between the inner surface of the skin and the first end of the shaft. Procedure  604  can be performed after procedure  601 , procedure  602 , and/or procedure  603 . 
     Method  600  can comprise procedure  605  of electrically coupling the at least the first portion of the outer surface of the skin to the at least the first portion of the exterior of the shaft. Procedure  605  can be performed simultaneously with and/or after one or more of procedures  601 - 604 . 
     Method  600  can comprise procedure  606  of providing a clip mechanism at the second end of the shaft. The clip mechanism can be similar or identical to the clip mechanism described above with respect to electronic device accessory  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Procedure  606  can be performed after one or more of procedures  601 - 605 . 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that procedures  601 - 606  ( FIG. 6 ) may be comprised of many different procedures, processes, and activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, that any element of  FIGS. 1-6  may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. 
     All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claim. 
     Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.