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 including at least one light-conveying element selected from the group consisting of a transparent region and an opening transmitting part; b. an internal light source positioned within said inner longitudinal cavity; c. at least one reflector located in said longitudinal cavity, said reflector being configured to reflect incident light received from said light source such that the reflected light exits said light-conveying element; said reflector is operative to increase the intensity of said emitted light; and, d. at least one ultrasound electronic transducer selected from the group consisting of an ultrasound transmitter and an ultrasound receiver; said transducer being operative to facilitate an electronic determining of a location of said electronic pen device. 
   
   
       2 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said light-conveying element is selected from the group consisting of a hole, an opening, a slot, a notch or a transparent solid material. 
   
   
       3 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said light-conveying element is embedded with a less light-conveying element to reflect incident light received from said reflector such that the reflected light exits said light-conveying element. 
   
   
       4 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said light-conveying element includes a radial opening. 
   
   
       5 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of the light emitted by said light source exiting from said light-conveying element is reflected light. 
   
   
       6 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said light source includes infrared emitter. 
   
   
       7 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said infrared light source includes a LED. 
   
   
       8 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one said reflector comprises at least one reflecting portion deployed at different angles within said inner cavity to reflect the infrared radiation and at least one transparent portion to convey said radiation outwardly. 
   
   
       9 . The pen system according to  claim 1 , wherein said transparent portion is shaped in a way selected from the group consisting of a slot, a notch, an opening, and a hole. 
   
   
       10 . The pen system according to  claim 1 , wherein said transparent portion includes any transparent solid material, adapted to convey light signals. 
   
   
       11 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflector is formed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, and other solid material. 
   
   
       12 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflector is at least partially metal-coated. 
   
   
       13 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflector is substantially cylindrical. 
   
   
       14 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing inner cavity surrounding said infrared light source, is reflective. 
   
   
       15 . The pen device according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing inner cavity is metal-coated. 
   
   
       16 . A method for transmitting from an electronic pen device a uniform radiation being operative to facilitate an electronic determining of a location of said electronic pen device, and increasing the radiation intensity, comprising the steps of: a. providing an electronic pen device including (i) an elongated housing having an inner longitudinal cavity including at least one light-conveying element; (ii) an internal light source positioned within said cavity; (iii) an infrared reflector located in said longitudinal cavity and, (iv) at least one ultrasound electronic transducer selected from the group consisting of an ultrasound transmitter and an ultrasound receiver; b. emitting a radiation within said reflector; c. reflecting said incident radiation within said reflector received from said light source; d. increasing said emitted radiation intensity; e. transmitting said radiation radially out of said reflector; and, f. transmitting said radiation radially out of said housing through said light-conveying element. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: a. coating said inner cavity to increase the radiation reflection.