Electronic pen device

Abstract

Various electronic pen devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ultrasound transducer (i.e. transmitter or receiver) is provided. In one embodiment an electronic pen with an improved ‘pen up/pen down’ detector is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved structure for transmitting infrared light is provided. In one embodiment, an improved electronic pen that may be operated in pen mode or mouse mode is provided.

1 . An electronic pen device comprising: a. an elongated housing having an inner longitudinal cavity; b. an elongated writing implement including at least an elongated rod portion, said writing implement deployed within said elongated cavity such that a distal end of said elongate rod protrudes from said housing at a distal end of said housing; c. a circuit board mounted on an elongate surface of said inner cavity; and, d. a sensor operative to generate an electrical signal indicative of a force on a distal end of said elongated writing implement, wherein said sensor is deployed on said circuit board. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  father comprising: e. electronic circuitry residing on said circuit board, said electronic circuitry is operative to generate signals selected from the group consisting of ultrasound and infrared signals. 
   
   
       3 . The pen device according to  claim 2 , wherein said circuit board includes a PCB, which includes a connection to an electric power source. 
   
   
       4 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a contact sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor. 
   
   
       6 . The pen device according to  claim 5 , wherein said pressure sensor includes a normally open pressure activated micro switch. 
   
   
       7 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: f. a force-transfer element for providing an outward radial force in accordance with a longitudinal force on said elongated rod portion. 
   
   
       8 . The pen device according to  claim 7 , wherein said force-transfer element has a first end attached to and rotated by the proximal end of said writing implement and a second end balanced about a pivot point, being movable in accordance with a longitudinal force exerted on said rod. 
   
   
       9 . The pen device according to  claim 7 , wherein said force-transfer element is an integral part of said writing implement. 
   
   
       10 . The pen device according to  claim 7 , wherein said sensor includes a pressure activated conductive material disposed between said force-transfer element and said circuit board. 
   
   
       11 . A method for determining when a writing implement is against a writing surface, and the force with which said writing implement is being applied to said writing surface comprising the steps of: a. providing an electronic pen device including (i) a housing including an elongate surface cavity defining a location of said writing implement; (ii) a sensor having a pressure activated conductive material, (iii) a force-transfer element adjacent to said sensor and (iv) an a circuit board mounted on said elongate inner cavity; b. applying a contact between said writing implement and said writing surface; c. enabling a downward motion of said force-transfer element; d. applying pressure on said pressure activated conductive material; and, e. enabling electrical connection between said writing implement and said circuit board, g. generating an electrical signal indicative of a force on a distal end of said elongated writing implement.