Fuel gauge stylus
View Patent ↗This invention includes a stylus that employs a translucent material for conducting light to convey information from a portable electronic device to a user. In one preferred embodiment, the stylus provides a thermometer style fuel gauge. Inserting the stylus into a special stylus holder actuates the fuel gauge. A thermometer like fuel gauge reading then appears in the body of the stylus. Other embodiments include changing color, focal point of a lens and light intensity to convey information. The stylus may be used to convey any type of information, including receipt of e-mail by the portable electronic device.
1. A stylus for an electronic device, comprising:
a body;
a writing end coupled to the body;
a plurality of fibers for conducting light disposed within the body;
wherein at least one of the plurality of fibers for conducting light is actuated by inserting the stylus into a stylus receptacle; and
wherein the writing end comprises a plurality of windows, each of the plurality of windows corresponding to each of the plurality of fibers for conducting light.
2. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers for conducting light are selected from the group consisting of optic fibers and translucent plastic.
3. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the stylus receptacle comprises at least one light source, the at least one light source corresponding to the plurality of windows.
4. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the stylus receptacle comprises a rotatable shutter having an aperture, the aperture having an area equivalent to the at least one of the plurality of windows.
5. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the stylus receptacle comprises at least a first and at least a second light source, the at least a first light source having a color different than that of the at least a second light source.
6. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the stylus receptacle comprises a light source having variable intensity.
7. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the stylus receptacle comprises a lens having an adjustable focal length.
8. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the actuation of the plurality of fibers for conducting light corresponds to information stored within the electronic device.
9. The stylus of claim 8 , wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of battery capacity information, alarm information and receipt notification of an electronic message.
10. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the stylus receptacle is coupled to an object selected from the group consisting of a cradle capable of coupling to the electronic device, the electronic device and a battery.
11. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of fibers for conducting light has associated therewith a length correlated to a battery capacity.
12. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers for conducting light may indicate full capacity and half capacity.
13. A stylus for an electronic device, comprising:
a body;
a writing end coupled to the body;
a plurality of fibers for conducting light disposed within the body,
wherein at least two of the plurality of fibers for conducting light are of differing lengths.