Dynamic reconfiguration of electrodes in an active stylus
In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a change in an operating characteristic of a stylus. The stylus is operable to communicate wirelessly with a device through a touch sensor of the device, and the stylus includes one or more electrodes. The method includes, in response to the change, dynamically configuring an electrode for the operating characteristic of the stylus as changed.
1. A method comprising:
identifying a change in a signal-to-noise ratio of one or more signals received wirelessly by a stylus, the stylus being operable to communicate wirelessly with a device through a touch sensor of the device, the stylus comprising one or more electrodes, a first electrode of the one or more electrodes configured to operate as a first electrode type of a plurality of electrode types, each electrode type defining a function of the electrode, wherein the plurality of electrode types comprise:
a drive electrode type; and
a sense electrode type;
determining, based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio, a second electrode type of the plurality of electrode types for the first electrode; and
dynamically configuring, based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio, the first electrode to operate as the second electrode type.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stylus further comprises one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to dynamically configure one or more of the electrodes.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stylus further comprises mechanical means operable to dynamically configure one or more of the electrodes.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stylus further comprises electrical or electronic means operable to dynamically configure one or more of the electrodes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein dynamically configuring an electrode comprises configuring the electrode to transmit signals.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein dynamically configuring an electrode comprises configuring the electrode to receive signals.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the stylus comprises a tip; and
the one or more electrodes are located in the tip.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein dynamically configuring, based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio, the first electrode comprises dynamically configuring the first electrode based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio and on an operating mode of the stylus.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein dynamically configuring, based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio, the first electrode comprises dynamically configuring the first electrode based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio and on one or more signals received from:
at least one of the one or more electrodes; or
a sensor on the stylus.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrode types further comprise one or more of: a ground electrode type, a shield electrode type, and a guard electrode type.
11. A system comprising:
a device comprising a touch sensor; and
a stylus, the stylus comprising one or more electrodes;
the stylus being operable to:
communicate wirelessly with the device through the touch sensor of the device;
identify a change in a signal-to-noise ratio of one or more signals received wirelessly by the stylus, a first electrode of the one or more electrodes configured to operate as a first electrode type of a plurality of electrode types, each electrode type defining a function of the electrode, wherein the plurality of electrode types comprise:
a drive electrode type; and
a sense electrode type;
determine, based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio, a second electrode type of the plurality of electrode types for the first electrode; and
dynamically configure, based on the change in the signal-to-noise ratio, the first electrode to operate as the second electrode type.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the stylus further comprises one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to dynamically configure one or more of the electrodes.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the stylus further comprises mechanical means operable to dynamically configure one or more of the electrodes.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the stylus further comprises electrical or electronic means operable to dynamically configure one or more of the electrodes.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein dynamically configuring an electrode comprises configuring the electrode to transmit signals.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein dynamically configuring an electrode comprises configuring the electrode to receive signals.
17. The system of claim 11 , wherein:
the stylus comprises a tip; and
the one or more electrodes are located in the tip.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the stylus is further operable to dynamically configure the first electrode based on an operating mode of the stylus.
19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the stylus is further operable to dynamically configure the first electrode based on one or more signals received from:
at least one of the one or more electrodes; or
a sensor on the stylus.
20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of electrode types further comprise one or more of: a ground electrode type, a shield electrode type, and a guard electrode type.