An electronic pen has a body, a cap and an actuation device. The actuation device comprises a sensor arrangement for sensing presence or absence of the cap on the body. The actuation device is operable to activate the electronic pen in response to removal of the cap from the body or in response to placement of the cap on a portion separated from a front end portion of the body. The actuation device is further operable to deactivate the electronic pen in response to placement of said cap on said body. Methods for activating and deactivating an electronic pen are also described.
1. An electronic pen having a body, a cap and an actuation device, said actuation device comprising:
a sensor arrangement comprising a camera which captures images during operation of the pen, wherein the camera further comprises a solid-state imaging device usable for registration of information during operation of said electronic pen, and further wherein the camera also senses presence or absence of said cap on said body, and further wherein said actuation device being operable to activate said electronic pen in response to removal of said cap from said body.
2. An electronic pen according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement further comprises a motion sensor.
3. An electronic pen according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement further comprises a pressure sensor.
4. An electronic pen according to claim 3 , further comprising a writing implement and wherein said cap is arranged to cover said writing implement to protect said writing implement when said electronic pen is not in use and said pressure sensor is usable for sensing when said writing implement is pressed against a writing surface.
5. An electronic pen according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement further comprises a vibration sensor.
6. An electronic pen having a body, a cap and an actuation device, said actuation device comprising:
a sensor arrangement comprising a camera which captures images during operation of the pen, wherein the camera further comprises a solid-state imaging device usable for registration of information during operation of said electronic pen, and further wherein the camera also senses presence or absence of said cap on said body, and further wherein said actuation device being operable to deactivate said electronic pen in response to placement of said cap on said body.
7. An electronic pen according to claim 6 , wherein said sensor arrangement further comprises a motion sensor.
8. An electronic pen according to claim 6 , wherein said sensor arrangement further comprises a pressure sensor.
9. An electronic pen according to claim 8 , further comprising a writing implement and wherein said cap is arranged to cover said writing implement to protect said writing implement when said electronic pen is not in use and said pressure sensor is usable for sensing when said writing implement is pressed against a writing surface.
10. An electronic pen according to claim 6 , wherein said sensor arrangement further comprises a vibration sensor.
11. An electronic pen having a body, a cap arranged to protect a front end portion of said body and an actuation device, said actuation device comprising a sensor arrangement for sensing presence or absence of said cap on a portion of said body separated from said front end portion of said body, said actuation device being operable to activate said electronic pen in response to placement of said cap on said portion separated from said front end portion of said body.
12. An electronic pen according to claim 11 , wherein said portion separated from said front end portion is a portion opposite to said front end portion.
13. An electronic pen according to claim 11 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises a mechanical switch.
14. An electronic pen according to claim 11 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises components which sense without physical contact.
15. An electronic pen according to claim 14 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises an electric switch.
16. An electronic pen according to claim 14 , wherein the components include a first component associated with the cap and a second component associated with the body.
17. An electronic pen according to claim 14 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises a motion sensor.
18. An electronic pen according to claim 14 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises a light sensor.
19. An electronic pen according to claim 14 , wherein said sensor arrangement utilizes changes in a magnetic field for detecting the presence or absence of said cap on said body.
20. An electronic pen according to claim 19 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises a reed switch.
21. An electronic pen according to claim 20 , wherein said reed switch is arranged in said body and a magnet is arranged in said cap.
22. An electronic pen according to claim 21 , wherein said magnet is arranged underneath a clip on said cap.
23. An electronic pen according to claim 19 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises a Hall element.
24. An electronic pen according to claim 23 , wherein said Hall element is arranged in said body and a magnet is arranged in said cap.
25. An electronic pen according to claim 24 , wherein said magnet is arranged underneath a clip on said cap.
26. An electronic pen according to claim 23 , wherein a field concentrator, such as a metal piece, is arranged adjacent to said Hall element to attract a magnetic field of said magnet.
27. An electronic pen according to claim 23 , wherein a magnet is arranged adjacent to said Hall element.
28. An electronic pen according to claim 14 , wherein said sensor arrangement comprises a vibration sensor.
29. A method of activating an electronic pen having a body and a cap, comprising:
removing said cap from said body;
detecting the absence of said cap using an imaging sensor, wherein the imaging sensor is a solid state camera which provides registration of information during the operation of the electronic pen; and
activating said electronic pen.
30. A method of deactivating an electronic pen having a body and a cap, comprising:
placing said cap on said body;
detecting the presence of said cap using an imaging sensor, wherein the imagine sensor is a solid state camera which provides registration of information during the operation of the electronic pen; and
deactivating said electronic pen.
31. A method of activating an electronic pen having a body, said body having a front end portion, and a cap, comprising:
placing said cap on a portion of said body separated from said front end portion;
detecting the presence of said cap; and
activating said electronic pen.
32. A method according to claim 31 , wherein the detecting the presence of said cap comprises determining a change in a magnetic field.