Bi-stable stylus for use as an input aid
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present invention include a stylus for use with a touch screen having a digitizer, the stylus being configured to fit comfortably in the hand of the user and comprises: an elastic segment; an operating end tapered to a point coupled to the elastic segment; a second end cap coupled to the elastic segment and a plurality of mid-segments coupled to the elastic segment. In one embodiment the stylus comprises four different parts including a tip, an end cap, mid-segments and an elastic member. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a simple spring is used to attach the tip, the end cap and the mid-segments. The stylus can be locked into place while in use or can be bent to conform to the geometry of the portable electronic device. The result is a bi-stable stylus sized to conform to a user's hand that can be stored on smaller dimensioned portable electronic devices. Additionally, the cost of manufacturing such a stylus is reduced because the variety of parts is minimal.
1. A portable electronic device comprising:
a processor coupled to a bus;
memory coupled to said bus;
a touch sensitive display screen coupled to said bus; and
a stylus comprising:
an elastic member;
a first end cap tapered to a point and coupled to said elastic member wherein said first end cap is for interfacing with an electronic digitizer of said portable electronic device;
a second end cap coupled to said elastic member; and
a plurality of hollow interlocking mid-segments coupled to
said elastic member between said first end cap and said second end cap.
2. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1 wherein said plurality of mid-segments comprise interlocking members to interlock with each other, said first end cap and said second end cap to form a rigid member.
3. A portable electronic device as described in claim 2 wherein said stylus becomes flexible when said first end cap is pulled away from said second end cap to disengage said interlocking members.
4. A portable electronic device as described in claim 2 wherein said elastic member is a spring.
5. A portable electronic device as described in claim 2 wherein said elastic member covers the outside of the stylus.
6. A portable electronic device as described in claim 2 wherein said stylus locks together by twisting said first end cap relative to said second end cap.
7. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1 wherein said elastic member is a spring comprising hooks on both ends and wherein said elastic member is located inside said plurality of hollow interlocking mid-segments.
8. A portable electronic device as described in claim 2 wherein said stylus can be simultaneously stored along more than one side of said portable electronic device.
9. A portable electronic device a described in claim 2 wherein said portable electronic device is a PDA (personal digital assistant).
10. A bendable stylus for use with a miniaturized portable electronic device, said stylus comprising:
an elastic member;
a first end cap tapered to a point and coupled to said elastic member, said first end cap for interfacing with a digitizer of said portable electronic device;
a second end cap coupled to said elastic member; and
a plurality of hollow interlocking mid-segments coupled to said elastic member between said first end cap and said second end cap.
11. A stylus as described in claim 10 wherein said plurality of mid-segments interlock with each other, said first end cap and said second end cap to form a rigid member.
12. A stylus as described in claim 11 wherein said stylus becomes flexible when said first end cap is pulled away from said second end cap to disengage said plurality of mid-segments.
13. A stylus as described in claim 10 wherein said elastic member is a spring.
14. A stylus as described in claim 10 wherein said elastic member covers the outside of said stylus.
15. A stylus as described in claim 10 wherein said elastic member is a spring and wherein said spring comprises hooks on both ends and wherein said spring is located inside said plurality of mid-segments.
16. A stylus as described in claim 10 wherein said elastic member is a clear tube.
17. A stylus as described in claim 10 wherein one or more of said plurality of mid segments are different colors.
18. A stylus for use with a touch screen having a digitizer, said stylus comprising:
an elastic member;
a first end cap tapered to a point and coupled to said elastic member, wherein said first end cap is for interfacing with said digitizer;
a second end cap coupled to said elastic member; and
a plurality of hollow interlocking mid-segments coupled to said elastic member between said first end cap and said second end caps.
19. A stylus as described in claim 18 wherein said mid-segments are operable to interlock with each other, said first end cap and said second end cap to form a rigid member.
20. A stylus as described in claim 19 wherein said stylus is operable to become flexible when said first end cap is pulled away from said second end cap to disengage interlocking members of said mid-segments and said first and second end caps.
21. A stylus as described in claim 18 wherein said elastic member is a spring.
22. A stylus as described in claim 18 wherein said elastic member covers the outside of the stylus.
23. A stylus as described in claim 18 wherein said stylus locks together by twisting said first end cap relative to said second end cap.
24. A stylus as described in claim 18 wherein said plurality of interlocking mid-segments are a plurality of hollow interlocking mid-segments.
25. A stylus as described in claim 24 wherein said elastic member is a spring and wherein said spring comprises hooks on both ends and wherein said spring is extended within said hollow interlocking mid-segments.