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 improved electronic pen system providing two modes of operations: the pen mode for tracking pen strokes, and the mouse mode where the pen serves as a mouse for a host device comprising: a. an electronic pen having a housing defining a location of a writing tip; and, b. a removable writing tip cap with a cap end structured to cover the writing tip when the pen is in a mouse mode, for deactivating said writing tip when touching a surface. 
   
   
       2 . The pen system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cap comprises: i. a protruding movable element peripherally extended out of said cap pressing on said writing tip for contacting said surface. 
   
   
       3 . The pen system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cap further comprises: ii. at least one transparent portion adapted to convey signals selected from the group consisting of light signals and sound signals from said pen device to a receiver. 
   
   
       4 . The pen system according to  claim 3 , wherein said transparent portion is shaped in a way selected from the group consisting of a slot, a notch, an opening, and a hole. 
   
   
       5 . The pen system according to  claim 3 , wherein said transparent portion includes any transparent solid material, adapted to convey light signals. 
   
   
       6 . The pen system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: c. at least one pressing button having an outer protrusion portion, adapted to perform the functions of the standard mouse “click” buttons. 
   
   
       7 . The pen device according to  claim 6 , wherein said pressing button is embedded in said housing. 
   
   
       8 . The pen device according to  claim 6 , wherein said pressing button is embedded in said cap having an inner protrusion portion. 
   
   
       9 . The pen device according to  claim 8 , wherein pressing button is configured such said inner protrusion portion is positioned above switch embedded in said housing. 
   
   
       10 . The pen device according to  claim 6 , wherein said cap and pressing buttons are made of plastic selected from the group consisting of polymeric materials such as polyethylene and polystyrene or epoxy, silicone, and polyurethane. 
   
   
       11 . The pen system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: d. a software system including an electronic detector operative to detect the covering of said writing tip by said cap and to determine if said pen is in said pen mode or in said mouse mode. 
   
   
       12 . A removable writing tip cap with a cap end structured to cover a writing tip when a pen device is in a mouse mode, said cap comprising: a. a protruding movable element peripherally extended out of said cap pressing on said writing tip for contacting a surface; wherein said cap is operative for deactivating said writing tip when touching a surface. 
   
   
       13 . The cap according to  claim 12 , further comprising: b. at least one transparent portion adapted to convey signals selected from the group consisting of light signals and sound signals from a pen device to a receiver. 
   
   
       14 . The cap according to  claim 12 , further comprising: c. at least one pressing button embedded in said cap, adapted to perform the functions of the standard mouse “click” buttons. 
   
   
       15 . A method for operating an electronic pen device in two modes of operations the pen mode for tracking pen strokes, and the mouse mode where the pen serves as a mouse for a host device comprising the steps of: a. providing a removable writing tip cap with a cap end structured to cover a writing tip of a electronic pen; said cap including (i) at least one transparent portion; (ii) a protruding movable element peripherally extended out of said cap pressing on said writing tip; and, (iii) at least one pressing button embedded in said cap; b. deactivating said writing tip by covering said writing tip of said pen device; and, c. moving said pen device to solicit a motion of said mouse displayed on a display screen without marking a surface. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: d. detecting a contact between said protruding movable element to a surface. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: e. presenting a mouse cursor on the host device display screen. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: f. pressing on said pressing button to perform the functions of the standard mouse “click” buttons. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: g. transmitting signals from said pen device to a receiver through said apertures, when the pen device is used as an electronic pen. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: h. detecting the covering of said writing tip by said cap; and, i. determining that said pen is in said mouse mode.