Replaceable Tip for Active Stylus
In one embodiment, an active-stylus tip includes a collar that includes substantially flexible material configured to secure the active-stylus tip to an end of an active stylus. The collar enables the active-stylus tip to be readily removed from the end of the active stylus. The active stylus includes one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly transmitting signals to a device through a touch sensor of the device. The active-stylus tip includes a nib having a tapered end opposite the collar. The nib further includes an element opposite the tapered end of the nib, where the element is configured to engage a force sensor disposed in the active stylus and communicate a force applied to the nib to the force sensor. The active-stylus tip also includes a neck mechanically connecting the nib to the collar and enabling the active-stylus tip to flex.
1 . An active-stylus tip comprising:
a collar comprising substantially flexible material configured to secure the active-stylus tip to an end of an active stylus and enabling the active-stylus tip to be readily removed from the end of the active stylus, the active stylus comprising one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly transmitting signals to a device through a touch sensor of the device;
a nib comprising a tapered end opposite the collar, the nib comprising an element opposite the tapered end of the nib and configured to engage a force sensor disposed in the active stylus and communicate a force applied to the nib to the force sensor; and
a neck mechanically connecting the nib to the collar and enabling the active-stylus tip to flex along an extent of the active-stylus tip.
2 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein:
the active-stylus tip is configured to be secured to the end of the active stylus by a first sideways movement of the active-stylus tip, wherein the first sideways movement is directed substantially orthogonal to and toward a longitudinal axis of the active stylus; and
the active-stylus tip is configured to be removed from the end of the active stylus by a second sideways movement of the active-stylus tip, wherein the second sideways movement is directed substantially orthogonal to and away from the longitudinal axis of the active stylus.
3 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein the collar is substantially C-shaped as viewed along a longitudinal axis of the active-stylus tip.
4 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein the active-stylus tip is made of plastic and is formed in an injection-molding process.
5 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein:
one or more portions of the active-stylus tip are made of an electrically insulating material; and
one or more portions of the active-stylus tip are made of an electrically conductive material.
6 . The active-stylus tip of claim 5 , wherein:
the electrically insulating material comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; and
the electrically conductive material comprises a plastic material and a conductive form of carbon.
7 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein:
a portion of the nib extending from the element opposite the tapered end of the nib to the tapered end of the nib is made of an electrically conductive material;
the element is configured to be electrically coupled to a flexible printed circuit disposed in the active stylus; and
the portion of the nib made of the electrically conductive material is configured to operate as a transmit electrode that receives a signal from the flexible printed circuit and transmits the signal to a device.
8 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein the element opposite the tapered end of the nib comprises a raised portion that protrudes above a surface located opposite the tapered end of the nib and adjacent to the element.
9 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein the force applied to the nib results at least in part from a user holding the active stylus and pressing the nib against the touch sensor of the device.
10 . The active-stylus tip of claim 1 , wherein the active-stylus tip is configured to apply a preload force to the force sensor when substantially no force is applied to the nib.
11 . An active-stylus tip comprising:
first means for securing the active-stylus tip to an end of an active stylus that enables the active-stylus tip to be readily removed from the end of the active stylus, the active stylus comprising one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly transmitting signals to a device through a touch sensor of the device;
second means for engaging a force sensor disposed in the active stylus and communicating a force applied to a nib of the active-stylus tip to the force sensor; and
third means for enabling the active-stylus tip to flex along an extent of the active-stylus tip.
12 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein:
the active-stylus tip is configured to be secured to the end of the active stylus by a first sideways movement of the active-stylus tip, wherein the first sideways movement is directed substantially orthogonal to and toward a longitudinal axis of the active stylus; and
the active-stylus tip is configured to be removed from the end of the active stylus by a second sideways movement of the active-stylus tip, wherein the second sideways movement is directed substantially orthogonal to and away from the longitudinal axis of the active stylus.
13 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein the first means is substantially C-shaped as viewed along a longitudinal axis of the active-stylus tip.
14 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein the active-stylus tip is made of plastic and is formed in an injection-molding process.
15 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein:
one or more portions of the active-stylus tip are made of an electrically insulating material; and
one or more portions of the active-stylus tip are made of an electrically conductive material.
16 . The active-stylus tip of claim 15 , wherein:
the electrically insulating material comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; and
the electrically conductive material comprises a plastic material and a conductive form of carbon.
17 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein:
a portion of the nib extending from an element opposite the tapered end of the nib to a tapered end of the nib is made of an electrically conductive material;
the element is configured to be electrically coupled to a flexible printed circuit disposed in the active stylus; and
the portion of the nib made of the electrically conductive material is configured to operate as a transmit electrode that receives a signal from the flexible printed circuit and transmits the signal to a device.
18 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein the element opposite the tapered end of the nib comprises a raised portion that protrudes above a surface located opposite the tapered end of the nib and adjacent to the element.
19 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein the force applied to the nib results at least in part from a user holding the active stylus and pressing the nib against the touch sensor of the device.
20 . The active-stylus tip of claim 11 , wherein the active-stylus tip is configured to apply a preload force to the force sensor when substantially no force is applied to the nib.