Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F3/043—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using propagating acoustic waves
  • G06F3/0433—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using propagating acoustic waves in which the acoustic waves are either generated by a movable member and propagated within a surface layer or propagated within a surface layer and captured by a movable member
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
  • G06F3/03545—Pens or stylus

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a stylus and more particularly to a stylus which may be used in combination with an ultrasound positioning system.
• Ultrasound has been used in a variety of positioning systems. These systems typically involve the transmission of an ultrasound signal and the calculation of the time of flight of the signal.
• Virtual Ink, Inc. introduced an ultrasound transcription system, MIMIOTM which is described in detail in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US99/09879 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• Electronics For Imaging, Inc. also recently introduced an ultrasound transcription system called EBEAMTM.
• the modular stylus comprises: a proximal subunit which forms a proximal portion of the stylus and a distal subunit which forms a distal portion of the stylus, the proximal and distal subunits being removably detachable from each other, the proximal subunit comprising a proximal subunit body defining a recess for housing a proximal portion of a writing element which may be housed within the stylus, and a contact switch which detects when the writing element is in contact with a writing surface based on a force of a proximal end of the writing element against the contact switch, and the distal subunit comprising a distal subunit body defining a recess for housing a distal portion of the writing element, a distal end of the subunit body including an opening through which a writing tip on a distal end of the writing element extends, and an ultrasound signal transmitter which transmits position
• One feature of the modular stylus is that it allows for a writing element to be loaded into the stylus in a middle of the stylus (i.e., between the proximal and distal subunits) as opposed to on a side or through an end of the stylus.
• Operation of the ultrasound signal transmitter which is housed in the distal subunit may be powered by a power source housed in the proximal subunit.
• Proximal leads may be electronically connected to the power source and the distal subunit may include distal leads which are electronically connected to the ultrasound signal transmitter, the proximal and distal leads being in electronic communication with each other so as to deliver power from the power source to the ultrasound signal transmitter when the proximal and distal subunits are attached to each other.
• the stylus may further include an infrared signal transmitter which transmits signals that are used to determine when ultrasound position signals were transmitted.
• the infrared signal transmitter may be positioned in the distal subunit adjacent the ultrasound transmitter.
• the stylus may further include stylus electronics for controlling signal transmissions by the stylus, the electronics being housed in the proximal subunit.
• the stylus may further include a middle housing positioned between the proximal and distal subunits for interconnecting the proximal and distal subunits.
• the middle housing may comprise a transparent window which enables a portion of the writing element to be visible through the middle housing.
• the middle housing may form a portion of the proximal subunit, a portion of the distal subunit or may be removably attachable to both the proximal and distal subunits.
• the distal subunit may further comprise a cage which surrounds and protects the ultrasound signal transmitter.
• the stylus may also further comprise a button, situated in either the proximal or distal subunit, which causes the proximal subunit and the distal subunit to disengage from each other.
• the present invention also relates to a stylus personality element which may be operably attached to a stylus.
• the stylus personality element is removably attachable to the stylus.
• the stylus personality element may be a cap which is removebly attachable to a proximal end of the stylus, for example the proximal end of the proximal subunit of a modular stylus.
• the stylus personality element affixed to the stylus and is not removeable.
• the stylus personality element may optionally include multiple settings, the multiple settings serving to identify for the stylus and for the transcription system one or more personality traits of the writing element.
• the stylus personality element includes a mechanism which identifies for the stylus one or more personality traits of the writing element, the writing surface, the person using the stylus, the writing style of the person using the stylus, and/or the location and other circumstances under which the stylus is being used.
• the personality element can be used to indicate to the transcription system the type of the writing element (pen, pencil, marker, etc.), the color of the writing element, and/or the shape of the writing tip of the writing element.
• the personality cap can also be used to indicate the type of writing surface (whiteboard, blackboard, glass, horizontal desk, etc.) to the transcription system.
• the personality element can also be used to change the function of the stylus.
• the stylus may be modified to include an eraser adjacent the writing tip.
• an eraser personality element By placing an eraser personality element on the stylus, the personality of the stylus in the eyes of the transcription system can be converted from a stylus to an eraser.
• the personality element can also be used to indicate the person performing the writing.
• Information may be recorded with the transcription system regarding the writing styles of different people (e.g., whether the person is a fast writer or a slow writer, whether the person writes with a lot of force against the writing surface or writes softly, whether the person is left handed or right handed, the relative angle between stylus and writing surface when the person writes, etc.).
• the transcription system can adjust its performance.
• the transcription system can alter the way it samples writing data (e.g., sample data more quickly or slowly depending on writing style), alter the way it recognizes when writing is initiated (e.g., make the contact switch more sensitive for soft writers), or alter the way it detects the position of the stylus based on who the writer is and the writer's traits, all identified to the transcription system via the stylus personality element.
• the transcription system can also adjust its performance based on information obtained from the stylus personality element about the writing environment. For example, a stylus element may be used to indicate to the transcription system whether the writing environment generates a large amount of echoes. In response, the transcription system can employ signal processing that is more or less echo sensitive.
• the personality mechanism used in the stylus personality element may be a plurality of electrical contacts where different combinations of electrical contacts identifies different features associated with the stylus personality element.
• the stylus may be modified in the eyes of the transcription system by being treated as adopting the characteristics encoded by the stylus personality element.
• a novel contact switch for use in an ultrasound transcription system stylus is also provided.
• the stylus comprises a stylus body having a longitudinal axis and defining an elongated recess parallel to the longitudinal axis for housing a writing element within the stylus, the stylus body defining a distal opening through which a writing tip on a distal end of the writing element extends for contacting a writing surface, a contact switch positioned within the stylus body which detects when the writing element is in contact with a writing surface based on a force of a proximal end of the writing element against the contact switch, and an ultrasound signal transmitter which transmits position signals to the transcription system.
• the contact switch may comprise a member against which the proximal end of the writing element is biased, the member moving in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the writing element when the writing tip of the writing element contacts a writing surface; a membrane arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the writing element, a surface of the membrane distal to the member including a conductive layer; and a switching board having a conductive layer aligned with and spaced apart from the conductive layer of the membrane, the conductive layer of the membrane coming into contact with the conductive layer of the switching board when the member moves parallel to the longitudinal axis of the writing element in response to the writing tip of the writing element contacting the writing surface.
• Figure 1A illustrates an embodiment of an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure IB illustrates the ultrasound stylus shown in Figure 1 A disassembled into four subunits.
• Figure 1C illustrates a set of non-modular styluses.
• Figure ID illustrates a set of modular styluses as a kit of stylus subunits.
• Figure IE illustrates the ability to convert a stylus into an eraser by changing the stylus personality cap.
• Figure 2 A illustrates an embodiment of an ultrasound stylus and stylus cover according to the present invention.
• Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasound stylus and stylus cover shown in Figure 2A.
• Figures 3A-3B illustrate exploded views of the ultrasound stylus shown in Figures 2A-2B.
• Figure 3 A illustrates an exploded view of the proximal subunit.
• Figure 3B illustrates an exploded view of the middle housing and distal subunit.
• Figure 4 A illustrates a first exploded view of a membrane contact switch which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 4B illustrates a second exploded view of the membrane contact switch shown in Figure 4A.
• Figure 4C illustrates a first assembled view of the membrane contact switch shown in Figures 4A and 4B.
• Figure 4D illustrates a second assembled view of the membrane contact switch shown in Figures 4 A and 4B.
• Figure 4E illustrates a first exploded view of another embodiment of a membrane contact switch which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 4F illustrates a second exploded view of the embodiment of a membrane contact switch shown in Figure 4E.
• Figure 5 A illustrates an exploded view of a three contact clip design for a stylus personality cap which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 5B illustrates an assembled view of a three contact clip design shown in Figure 5 A.
• Figure 5C illustrates an exploded view of a four contact clip design for a stylus personality cap which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 5D illustrates an assembled view of a four contact clip design shown in Figure 5C.
• the present invention relates to various features that may each independently be incorporated into the design of a stylus for use in conjunction with a transcription system which uses signals such as ultrasound to determine a position of a stylus.
• the design and operation of a transcription system with which the styluses according to the present invention may be used is described in detail in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US99/09879 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• One feature of styluses according to the present invention is their modular design.
• Figure 1A illustrates an embodiment of an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention in an assembled form.
• the stylus includes a proximal subunit 12 which may comprise a power source (e.g., a battery), a contact switch, and electronics for controlling operations of the stylus (all internal, not shown).
• a proximal, non-writing end of a writing element extends within the proximal subunit 12 adjacent the contact switch.
• the writing element may be any implement that may be used on a writing surface, most typically a dry erase marker for use with a whiteboard or chalk for use with a blackboard
• Attached to the proximal subunit 12 may be a removable stylus personality cap 26 which may be used to signal to the stylus electronics information regarding the personality of the writing element, the writing surface, the user, the writing style of the user, and/or the conditions under which the stylus is being used.
• the range of information which the stylus personality cap can communicate and the operation of the stylus personality cap are described herein with regard to Figures 5 A-5D.
• stylus personality elements may be used. These elements may be removeable from the stylus and each identify one or more personality traits as described herein. Alternatively, these elements may be more permanently affixed to the stylus and have multiple settings, the different settings serving to identify different personality traits as described herein.
• the stylus also includes a middle housing 14 which covers the writing element. As illustrated, the middle housing 14 may be transparent in order to render the writing element 16 visible through the middle housing 14.
• the stylus also includes a distal subunit 18.
• the distal subunit 18 comprises an ultrasound signal transmitter 20 adjacent the distal end of the distal unit 18.
• a cage 21 surrounds and protects the ultrasound signal transmitter 20.
• the interior of the distal subunit 18 serves as a housing for the distal end of the writing element. As illustrated, the distal writing tip 22 of the writing element extends through a opening in a distal end 24 of the distal subunit 18.
• the distal subunit may further include an infrared signal transmitter 19 which transmits signals that are used to determine when ultrasound position signals were transmitted. It is noted that some embodiments of ultrasound positioning systems do not require an infrared signal transmitter and thus this element is non-essential to the stylus.
• a stylus cover may be removable attached to the removable stylus personality cap 26 and may also be removably attached to the distal end of the distal subunit 18 in order to cover and isolate the distal writing tip 22 of the writing element 16.
• Figure IB illustrates one embodiment of the modularity of the ultrasound stylus shown in Figure 1 A.
• the stylus is modular in the sense that the stylus can be reversibly separated into multiple subunits.
• the proximal subunit 12 which comprises a power source
• a contact switch e.g., a contact switch
• electronics for controlling an operation of the stylus can be removably detached from the middle housing 14 and the distal subunit 18 comprising the ultrasound transmitter.
• the middle housing 14 may form a portion of the proximal subunit 12 (and only be removably attachable to the distal subunit), may form a portion of the distal subunit 18 (and only be removably attachable to the proximal subunit), or as illustrated in Figure IB, may be a separate subunit and be removably attachable to both the proximal and distal subunits as illustrated.
• a feature of the modular stylus of the present invention is that it provides for center loading of a writing element into the stylus as opposed to front, rear, or side loading of a writing element.
• the middle housing be a separate subunit so that different writing elements of different lengths and diameters may be used with the same proximal and/or distal subunits.
• FIGs 1 A- IB The modular design of the stylus illustrated in Figures 1 A- IB provides the stylus with several advantages.
• the modular design of the styluses greatly expands the versatility of a set of these styluses.
• Figure 1C illustrates a first set of styluses which are not modular.
• Figure ID illustrates a second set of styluses which are modular.
• each stylus in Figure 1C has to act as its own independent unit. More specifically, the black stylus is always a black stylus and the red stylus is always a red stylus.
• the modular design of the styluses of the present invention converts the second set of styluses into a kit with multiple stylus personality caps 26A-C; multiple proximal subunits 12A-C; and multiple distal subunits 18A-C (with non-removable multiple middle housings 14A-C in this embodiment).
• the modular design of the stylus also expands the range of functionalities that may be incorporated into a stylus. For example, as illustrated in Figure IE, one is able to convert a stylus with a black personality cap 26D and a black marker 16D into an eraser by replacing the black personality cap 26D with an eraser personality cap 26E and by modifying the distal subunit by covering the writing tip of the black marker 16D with an eraser cover 27 so the stylus functions as an eraser (or substituting the writing element 16E with an element with an eraser tip (not shown)).
• the modular design of the stylus also simplifies the repair and maintenance of the stylus.
• proximal subunit housing the contact switch and stylus electronics modular relative to the distal subunit which houses the ultrasound transducer, the proximal and distal subunits can each independently be replaced should either subunit become non-operational.
• the modular design of the stylus also simplifies the repair and maintenance of the stylus since any subcomponent may be independently replaced.
• the center loading design provided by the modular design is a further advantage by making the writing element 16 readily removable from the stylus, making replacement and color changes rapid and easy to perform.
• One issue addressed by the modular design is the need to deliver power from the power source situated in the proximal subunit to the ultrasound transmitter situated in the distal subunit. This is accomplished by employing electrical contacts which allows the power source and stylus electronics in the proximal subunit to be operably connected to the ultrasound transmitter in the distal subunit when the proximal and distal subunits are connected to each other.
• FIG 2 A illustrates an embodiment of an ultrasound stylus and stylus cover according to the present invention.
• Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasound stylus and stylus cover shown in Figure 2A.
• proximal subunit 12 comprises a power source 32 (e.g., a battery), a contact switch 34, and electronics 36 for controlling an operation of the stylus.
• the battery source may optionally be positioned in the stylus personality cap (not shown).
• the body 38 of the proximal subunit 12 has outer walls 40 which extend in a distal direction to define a recess 42 within which the proximal non- writing end 44 of a writing element 16 extends so that the proximal non- writing end 44 is adjacent the contact switch 34.
• a removable stylus personality cap 26 is attached to a proximal end of the proximal subunit 12.
• Button 43 serves as a mechanism for releasing the personality cap from the proximal subunit 12.
• multiple different stylus personality caps 26 may be attached to the proximal end of the proximal subunit 12, each different personality cap indicating one or more different characteristics of the writing element, writing surface, writer, writing style of the writer, writing environment to the transcription system.
• the transcription system can use the personality information obtained from the personality cap to alter the operation of the transcription system in response.
• Removably attachable to the removable stylus personality cap 26 is a first stylus cover 28A.
• the stylus further includes a middle housing 14 which covers the writing element 16.
• the proximal portion 46 of the middle housing 14 is designed to fit within the recess 42 formed by the body of the proximal subunit. Any mechanism (friction, screw, flange, etc.). may be used to cause the proximal subunit 12 and the middle housing 14 to be removably attached to each other, thereby separating the proximal and distal subunits from each other. In one embodiment, a twist and pull mechanism is used.
• the middle housing 14 may be designed so it is not removable from the proximal subunit 12.
• the middle housing 14 may be transparent in order to render the writing element 16 visible through the middle housing 14. This is advantageous in order to render the color/type of the writing element pen more readily determinable.
• the length and diameter of the middle housing 14 may be varied so that the stylus can accommodate different sizes of writing elements. As a result, it is possible to use the same proximal and/or distal subunits with different sized writing elements by varying the size of the middle housing 14.
• the stylus also includes a distal subunit 18.
• the distal end of the middle housing 14 and the proximal end of the distal subunit 18 form complimentary lips which allow the middle housing 14 and the distal subunit 18 to be removably attachable to each other.
• Any mechanism may be used to cause the distal subunit 18 and the middle housing 14 to be removably attached to each other.
• a twist and pull mechanism is used.
• the middle housing 14 may be designed so it is not removable from the distal subunit 18.
• the distal subunit 18 comprises an ultrasound signal transmitter 20 adjacent the distal end of the distal subunit 18.
• Transmitter electronics 50 are housed within the distal subunit 18. These electronics may be used to deliver power to the transmitter and/or for controlling the operation of the ultrasound signal transmitter 20.
• the transmitter electronics 50 are operably connected to the power source 32 and the contact switch 34 via leads 52 that extend from the proximal subunit 12 through the middle housing 14 to the distal subunit 18. These leads 52 may be a flex circuit.
• the distal subunit 18 also comprises an infrared transmitter 19 which transmits signals that are used to determine when ultrasound position signals were transmitted.
• a cage 21 surrounds and protects the ultrasound signal transmitter 20.
• the interior of the distal subunit 18 serves as a housing for the distal end of the writing element 16. As illustrated, the distal writing tip 22 of the writing element 16 extends through a opening in a distal end 24 of the distal subunit 18.
• Figures 2A-2B illustrate a second stylus cover 28B which may be removably attached to the distal end of the distal subunit 18 in order to cover and isolate the distal writing tip 22 of the writing element 16.
• the stylus cover can be moved between positions adjacent the proximal and distal ends of the stylus.
• the stylus cover 28B has an interior housing 56 with an interior recess 58 which serves to isolate the distal writing tip 22 of the writing element 16 and thus prevent the writing tip 22 from drying out.
• a plurality of supports 60 connect the interior housing 56 to an exterior housing 62 of the stylus cover 28B. Spaces between the supports 60 are a safety feature by allowing air to pass through them if the stylus cover 28B is swallowed.
• the exterior housing 62 extends over the cage 21 to further protect the ultrasound signal transmitter 20.
• Figures 3A-3B illustrate exploded views of the ultrasound stylus shown in Figures 2 A-2B.
• Figure 3 A illustrates an exploded view of the proximal subunit.
• Figure 3B illustrates an exploded view of the middle housing and distal subunit.
• a stylus personality cap 70 having dual flanges 71 for securing the stylus personality cap to the body of the proximal subunit 12.
• a personality contact strip 72 interoperates with the stylus personality cap 70, as explained herein, to indicate the various personalities that the transcription system should associate with the stylus.
• First battery contacts 74 may also be inserted into the stylus personality cap 70 and placed in contact with battery 76. It is noted that the stylus personality cap may be designed to house the battery (not shown).
• Back housing overmold 78 of the proximal subunit 12 serves to house and surround the battery 76.
• PC board cover 80 serves to immobilize PC board 82.
• Second battery contacts 84 are positioned between the PC board 82 and battery 76.
• PC board 82 includes electronics for controlling signal transmission and timing of the stylus.
• Membrane 85, actuator 86, contact springs 88, contact pins 90, contacts 92, ring 94, and contact ring 96 form a contact switch for detecting writing.
• a more detailed description of the construction of the contact switch is provided herein with regard to Figures 4A-4E.
• Top and bottom back housings 98 A, 98B form the remainder of the outer housing for the proximal subunit 12 and serve to removably connect the proximal subunit 12 to body housing 14.
• Actuator button 17 serves to actuate separation of the personality cap 70 from the proximal subunit 12.
• writing element 16 is designed to fit within middle housing 14. The proximal end of the writing element 16 abuts the contact switch and is biased away from the contact switch. Contact springs 88 serve to place the battery 76 and other electronics in the proximal subunit 12 in electrical communication with the distal subunit.
• preload spring 106 serves to bias the writing element 16 against the contact switch shown in Figure 3 A.
• PC board 108 serves to deliver power to the PVDF ultrasound generator 110 and may optionally control the operation of PVDF ultrasound generator 110.
• Contacts 112 extending from the PVDF 110 operably connect the PVDF 110 to the PC board 108.
• Cage 114 covers and protects the PVDF 110.
• Front housing overmold 116 and front housing 118 form the outer body of the distal subunit 18.
• the front housing overmold 116 and/or the front housing 118 may serve to removably connect the distal subunit 18 to body housing 14.
• FIG 4A illustrates a first exploded view of a membrane contact switch which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 4B illustrates a second exploded view of the membrane switch shown in Figure 4 A.
• ring 94 has a surface 122 against which the proximal end of the writing element is biased.
• Elastomer pad 124 biases membrane 126 relative to ring 94.
• Membrane 126 includes conductive layer 128 on a surface of the membrane 126.
• Spacer 130 separates the conductive layer 128 of the membrane 126 from switch PC board 132.
• a conductive layer 134 is positioned on the switch PC board 132 so that it is positioned to contact the conductive layer 128 of the membrane 126.
• Switch PC board 132 is in contact with a main PC board 136 via solder pads 138.
• spacer 130 prevents the conductive layer 128 of the membrane 126 from contacting the conductive layer
• FIG. 4C illustrates a first assembled view of the membrane switch shown in Figures 4 A and 4B.
• Figure 4D illustrates a second assembled view of the membrane switch shown in Figures 4 A and 4B.
• solder pads 140 on the main PC board 136 place the switch PC board 132 in electrical contact with a main PC board 136.
• Figure 4E illustrates a first exploded view of another embodiment of a membrane switch which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 4F illustrates a second exploded view of the embodiment of a membrane switch shown in Figure 4E.
• the contact switch illustrated in Figures 4E-4F differs from the contact switch illustrated in Figures 4A-4D by its use of a switch contact layer 146 instead of integrating the contacts to the switch PC board 132. Rather, adhesive layer 142 connects the switch contact layer 146 to a plastic support 144. Contacts 148 from the switch contact layer 146 wrap around the plastic support 144 and connect the switch to the main PC board 132.
• membrane contact switch embodiments other than the designs shown in Figures 4A-F may be employed with the present invention.
• One advantage of using membrane contact switches is the limited distance that the writing element needs to move in order to activate the switch. This enables the switch to be more sensitive and quicker in its response time. Also, by reducing the amount of force that one needs to apply to the tip of the writing element in order to activate the contact switch, the feel of the operation of the stylus can more closely approximate the feel of writing using an ordinary writing element.
• a further feature of the present invention is the use of a stylus personality cap 26 attached to the proximal end of the stylus to.
• Stylus personality caps may be used to introduce and/or modify the personality associated with a stylus by the transcription system.
• personality refers to the personality of the writing element such as the type of the writing element (e.g., pen, pencil, marker, eraser, etc.), the color of the writing element, and/or the shape of the writing tip of the writing element.
• Personality also refers to the personality of the writing surface (e.g., whiteboard, blackboard, glass, horizontal desk, etc.).
• Personality also refers to identity of the person writing as well as the writing style of the writer (e.g., whether the person is a fast writer or a slow writer, whether the person writes with a lot of force against the writing surface or writes softly, whether the person is left handed or right handed, the relative angle between stylus and writing surface when the person writes, etc.).
• personality also refers to the personality of the writing environment (e.g., prone to echoes, temperature, location, etc.)
• the stylus can read the personality information from the personality cap and adjust its properties accordingly. For example, the stylus can modify the sensitivity of the contact switch (e.g., how much pressure is considered a positive signal, how much delay is employed between activation of the switch and transmission of signals). The stylus can also modify how it transmits signals (e.g., the frequency that position signals are sent).
• the stylus can modify the sensitivity of the contact switch (e.g., how much pressure is considered a positive signal, how much delay is employed between activation of the switch and transmission of signals).
• the stylus can also modify how it transmits signals (e.g., the frequency that position signals are sent).
• the stylus can also can read the personality information from the personality cap and communicate that information to the transcription system.
• the transcription system can then adjust its performance in response to the information obtained from the stylus regarding the personality cap.
• the transcription system can be recording stylus strokes as black strokes. Then, by only swapping the black personality cap to a red personality cap, the stylus can tell the transcription system that the stylus is now red and cause the transcription system to record the stylus strokes as red strokes (even if the writing element is still black).
• the personality cap may include a variety of different mechanisms for encoding personality information. Two embodiments of mechanisms for encoding personality information are provided in Figures 5A-5D
• Figure 5 A illustrates an exploded view of a three contact clip design for a stylus personality cap which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 5B illustrates an assembled view of a three contact clip design shown in Figure 5 A.
• Figure 5C illustrates an exploded view of a four contact clip design for a stylus personality cap which may be used in an ultrasound stylus according to the present invention.
• Figure 5D illustrates an assembled view of a four contact clip design shown in Figure 5C.
• a disk 170 is sized to be positioned within the recess 172 in the stylus personality cap 174.
• the disk 170 includes a battery contact 171 and a series of contact jumpers 174 where the battery contact 171 is in electrical contact with the contact jumpers 174. Placing the battery contact 171 in electrical contact with the contact jumpers 174 may be performed by forming the disk from a stamped metal plate.
• the contact jumpers 174 are placed in electrical contact with contact strips 178 on PC board 180 as shown in Figure 5B.
• Battery 182 is placed in electrical contact with the battery contact 171 on the disk 170.
• electricity is transmitted from the battery 182 through the battery contact 171 and via the contact jumpers 174 to the contact strips 178 on PC board 180.
• the stylus personality cap 174 may be used to indicate to the stylus electronics, which may be on PC board 180, the color of the writing element. This may be done by using different combinations of contact jumpers on the disk 170 for different colors.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Pens And Brushes (AREA)
• Manipulator (AREA)

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Cited By (6)

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• 2001
  • 2001-06-25 WO PCT/US2001/020293 patent/WO2002001466A2/fr active Search and Examination
  • 2001-06-25 AU AU2001271473A patent/AU2001271473A1/en not_active Abandoned

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