Electronic Rechargeable Stylus and Eraser System
A system for recording writing performed on a surface includes a rechargeable stylus, a rechargeable eraser, and a charging station for one or both of the rechargeable stylus and the rechargeable eraser. Each of the rechargeable stylus and the rechargeable eraser includes a pair of charging rings. The charging rings are disposed so as to contact a corresponding pair of charging contacts on a receptacle on the charging station for the stylus or the eraser. The receptacle, charging contacts, and charging rings cooperate to charge rechargeable stylus or the rechargeable eraser when the stylus or eraser is placed into the receptacle.
1 . A system comprising:
a stylus device comprising:
a stylus body generally symmetrical about a lengthwise axis;
a first transmitter;
a second transmitter;
a rechargeable power source powering the first and second transmitters and disposed within the stylus body;
a stylus-side coupling circuit; and
a mobile device comprising:
a first receiver;
a second receiver;
a communication port;
a mobile device-side coupling circuit; and
a charging power source electrically coupled to mobile device-side coupling circuit,
wherein the mobile device-side coupling circuit cooperates with the stylus-side coupling circuit to charge the rechargeable power source, and
wherein one or both of the stylus and the mobile device further comprises a magnetic material.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device further comprises an elongated groove formed in the mobile device and having a shape complementary to that of the stylus body, and wherein the mobile device-side coupling circuit cooperates with the stylus-side coupling circuit to charge the rechargeable power source when the stylus is placed in the groove.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a receptacle formed to receive an end of the stylus device, and wherein the mobile device-side coupling circuit cooperates with the stylus-side coupling circuit to charge the rechargeable power source when the stylus is placed in the receptacle.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the stylus-side coupling circuit comprises:
a first charging element disposed on the exterior of the stylus body and electrically coupled to a first terminal of the rechargeable power source; and
a second charging element disposed on the exterior of the stylus body and electrically coupled to a second terminal of the rechargeable power source; and
the mobile device-side coupling circuit comprises:
a first charging contact disposed to align with the first charging element of the stylus; and
a second charging contact disposed to align with the second charging element of the stylus.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second charging elements on the stylus device comprises a metallic ring formed around the stylus body about the lengthwise axis.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the mobile device-side coupling circuit comprises a primary induction coil;
the stylus-side coupling circuit comprises: a secondary induction coil; and
a first current flowing through the primary induction coil induces a second current in the secondary induction coil when the stylus device is coupled with the mobile device.
7 . (canceled)
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material aligns the stylus device with the mobile device such that the mobile device-side coupling circuit cooperates with the stylus-side device coupling circuit to charge the rechargeable power source.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material retains the position of the stylus device such that the mobile-device side coupling circuit remains coupled with the stylus-side coupling circuit.
10 . The system of any of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a ring mounted on the mobile device at an end of the elongated groove, the ring having a central opening operable to receive an end of the stylus.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the ring comprises a portion of the mobile device-side coupling circuit.
12 - 164 . (canceled)
165 . A stylus comprising:
a stylus body generally symmetrical about a lengthwise axis;
a first transmitter;
a second transmitter;
a rechargeable power source powering the first and second transmitters and disposed within the stylus body;
a stylus-side coupling circuit operable to couple the rechargeable power source to a recharging power supply; and
a magnetic material disposed to cooperate with a mobile device to maintain a position of the stylus-side coupling circuit with respect to the mobile device.
166 . The stylus of claim 165 , wherein a contact of the stylus-side coupling circuit comprises the magnetic material.
167 . The stylus of claim 165 , wherein a contact of the stylus-side coupling circuit comprises a ring coaxial with the lengthwise axis.
168 . The stylus of claim 165 , wherein the stylus-side coupling circuit comprises an induction coil, and wherein the magnetic material is disposed to align the induction coil with a corresponding induction coil in the mobile device.
169 . The stylus of claim 165 , further comprising an erasable writing element operable to mark a surface while each of the first and second transmitters transmit respective signals.
170 . A mobile device comprising:
an infrared receiver;
a radio frequency receiver;
a communication port;
a charging power source;
a mobile device-side coupling circuit operable to couple the charging power source to a rechargeable power source in a stylus device; and
a magnetic material disposed to cooperate with the stylus device to maintain a position of the stylus with respect to the mobile device-side coupling circuit.
171 . The mobile device of claim 170 , wherein a contact of the mobile device-side coupling circuit comprises the magnetic material.
172 . The mobile device of claim 170 , wherein the mobile device-side coupling circuit comprises an induction coil, and wherein the magnetic material is disposed to align the induction coil with a corresponding induction coil in the stylus.
173 . The mobile device of claim 170 , further comprising a ring mounted on the mobile device, the ring having a central opening adapted to receive an end of the stylus.
174 . The mobile device of claim 170 , further comprising an elongated groove having a shape complementary to that of the stylus, wherein the mobile device-side coupling circuit cooperates with a corresponding stylus-side coupling circuit to charge the rechargeable power source when the stylus is placed in the groove.