Active Stylus with Tactile Input and Output
In one embodiment, a stylus has one or more electrodes and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media embodying logic for communicating wirelessly with a device through a touch sensor of the device. The media further embodies logic configured to receive from a tactile element tactile-input signals based on tactile input to the stylus by an entity and process those signals to determine an action. The media further embodies logic configured to provide tactile-output signals to a tactile element of the stylus to communicate tactile output to the entity.
1 . A stylus comprising:
one or more electrodes for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch sensor of the device; and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media embodying:
first logic configured to control the electrodes for transmitting signals wirelessly to the device through the touch sensor; and
second logic configured to
provide tactile-output signals to a tactile element on or in the stylus, the tactile element operable to communicate tactile output to an entity.
2 . The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the entity is a user of the stylus.
3 . (canceled)
4 . The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the tactile element communicates tactile output based on one or more of:
a texture of the tactile element;
a size of the tactile element;
a shape of the tactile element;
a temperature of the tactile element;
a motion of the tactile element;
a resistance to motion of the tactile element; or
a force generated by the tactile element.
5 . The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the tactile element comprises one or more of:
a microelectromechanical system;
an actuator;
a button;
a slider;
a surface area; or
a textured surface.
6 . The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the tactile element comprises one or more of:
a shape-memory alloy;
a shape-memory polymer;
an electronic or ionic electroactive polymer;
a magnetocaloric material;
a thermoelectric material;
a pH-sensitive material;
a temperature-responsive material;
a piezoelectric;
a halochromic material;
a chromogenic material; or
a photomechanical material.
7 . The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the tactile output is based on one or more actions performed by the stylus.
8 . The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the tactile output is based on one or more settings associated with the stylus.
9 . The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the tactile output is based on content displayed on the device.
10 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A stylus comprising:
one or more electrodes for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch sensor of the device; and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media embodying:
first logic configured to control the electrodes for transmitting signals wirelessly to the device through the touch sensor; and
second logic configured to:
receive tactile-input signals from a tactile element, the tactile-input signals generated by an interaction between an entity and the tactile element, the interaction comprising a change in a physical property of the tactile element, the physical property comprising one or more of:
a texture;
a size;
a shape;
a motion; or
a resistance to motion; and
process the tactile-input signals to determine an action.
22 . The stylus of claim 21 , wherein the entity is a user of the stylus.
23 . The stylus of claim 21 , wherein the tactile element comprises one or more of:
an accelerometer;
a gyroscope;
a microelectromechanical system;
an actuator;
a button;
a slider;
a surface area; or
a textured surface.
24 . The stylus of claim 21 , wherein the tactile element comprises one or more of:
a shape-memory alloy;
a shape-memory polymer;
an electronic or ionic electroactive polymer;
a magnetocaloric material;
a thermoelectric material;
a pH-sensitive material;
a piezoelectric;
a halochromic material;
a chromogenic material; or
a photomechanical material.
25 . The stylus of claim 21 , wherein a functionality associated with the tactile input is based on one or more actions performed by the stylus.
26 . The stylus of claim 21 , wherein a functionality associated with the tactile input is based on one or more settings associated with the stylus.
27 . The stylus of claim 21 , wherein a functionality associated with the tactile input is based on content displayed on the device.
28 . A stylus comprising:
one or more electrodes for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch sensor of the device; and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media embodying:
first logic configured to control the electrodes for transmitting signals wirelessly to the device through the touch sensor; and
second logic configured to:
receive tactile-input signals from a first tactile element, the tactile-input signals generated by an interaction between an entity and the first tactile element;
process the tactile-input signals to determine an action; and
provide tactile-output signals to a second tactile element on or in the stylus, the second tactile element operable to communicate tactile output to the entity.
29 . The stylus of claim 28 , wherein the entity is a user of the stylus.
30 . The stylus of claim 28 , wherein the first tactile element is the second tactile element.
31 . The stylus of claim 28 , wherein at least one of the first tactile element or the second tactile element comprises one or more of:
a shape-memory alloy;
a shape-memory polymer;
an electronic or ionic electroactive polymer;
a magnetocaloric material;
a thermoelectric material;
a pH-sensitive material;
a temperature-responsive material;
a piezoelectric;
a halochromic material;
a chromogenic material; or
a photomechanical material.
32 . The stylus of claim 28 , wherein at least one of the tactile output or a functionality associated with the tactile input is based on one or more actions performed by the stylus.