WO2022019899A1

WO2022019899A1 - Stylus with force sensor arrays

Info

Publication number: WO2022019899A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/043021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tai-Hsiang Chen; Charles J. Stancil; Kuan-Ting Wu
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-07-22
Filing date: 2020-07-22
Publication date: 2022-01-27

Abstract

A stylus includes a body having a first portion on which a first force sensor array is disposed and a second portion on which a second force sensor array is disposed. The stylus further includes a controller which receives a first signal from the first force sensor array indicating a first location of a first force and a first magnitude of the first force applied to the first portion of the body and receives a second signal from the second force sensor array indicating a second location of a second force and a second magnitude of the second force applied to the second portion of the body. The controller generates information corresponding to an operation to be performed by an external device, based on the first signal and the second signal, and transmits the information to the external device.

Description

STYLUS WITH FORCE SENSOR ARRAYS

BACKGROUND

[0001] A stylus is an instrument or device to provide an input to an electronic apparatus, for example, via a touchscreen of the electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus may be, for example, a laptop, tablet, desktop computer, smartphone, and the like. A stylus may be a passive stylus or an active stylus. The passive stylus may not electronically communicate with the electronic apparatus, while the active stylus may include electronic components that enable the active stylus to electronically communicate with the electronic apparatus to cause the electronic apparatus to perform various operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a stylus, according to examples of the disclosure;

[0003] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stylus of FIG. 1 , according to examples of the disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example system, according to examples of the disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example stylus, according to examples of the disclosure; [0006] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example electronic apparatus, according to examples of the disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 6 illustrates an example workflow of operations of the stylus, according to examples of the disclosure; and

[0008] FIG. 7 illustrates an example workflow of operations of an apparatus which detects forces applied to a plurality of force sensor arrays and transmits information to an electronic apparatus based on the detected forces, according to examples of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Various examples of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like elements. Examples to be explained in the following may be modified and implemented in various different forms.

[0010] When it is stated in the disclosure that one element is "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, the expression encompasses an example of a direct connection or direct coupling, as well as a connection with another element interposed therebetween. Further, when it is stated herein that one element "includes" another element, unless otherwise stated explicitly, other elements may be further included rather than being excluded.

[0011] As used herein, a basic input/output system (BIOS) refers to hardware or hardware and instructions to initialize, control, or operate a computing device (electronic apparatus) prior to execution of an operating system (OS) of the computing device. Instructions included within a BIOS may be software, firmware, microcode, or other programming that defines or controls functionality or operation of a BIOS. In one example, a BIOS may be implemented using instructions, such as platform firmware of a computing device, executable by a processor. A BIOS may operate or execute prior to the execution of the OS of a computing device. A BIOS may initialize, control, or operate components such as hardware components of a computing device and may load or boot the OS of computing device.

[0012] In some examples, a BIOS may provide or establish an interface between hardware devices or platform firmware of the computing device and an OS of the computing device, via which the OS of the computing device may control or operate hardware devices or platform firmware of the computing device. In some examples, a BIOS may implement the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specification or another specification or standard for initializing, controlling, or operating a computing device.

[0013] A stylus may provide handwriting functions on electronic apparatuses, such as a tablet, laptop, smartphone, and the like. For example, the stylus may be used with the electronic apparatus to take notes, sign a signature, draw, and perform various other functions.

[0014] To provide an input to the electronic apparatus via a stylus, the stylus may include components such as a button or sensor. According to examples disclosed herein, a stylus includes multiple force sensor arrays on a stylus body. For example, the body of the stylus may be pen-shaped. When a user uses the stylus as an input device for an electronic apparatus, the force sensor arrays on the body can each detect a force magnitude so as to distinguish a difference of a finger and a hand grip. Also, finger movement gestures applied to the body of the stylus can be recognized and a corresponding action can be performed by the stylus to control an operation of the electronic apparatus based on different parameters associated with the recognized gestures.

[0015] In addition, according to examples disclosed herein, the force sensor arrays can be used to detect a state of the stylus. For example, the force sensor arrays can detect whether the stylus is not in use or is currently being held by a user.

[0016] Some styluses cannot detect how users are holding their pens. The holding gesture and gripping force cannot be detected and utilized.

Furthermore, physical buttons have limited functionality, such as providing a single press and release function. Some styluses use a touch sensor to detect a double tap function on the stylus which also has limited gestures and functions.

[0017] According to examples of the stylus disclosed herein, functions of the stylus may be selected quickly without having to search for a physical button. For example, a user can selectively apply a force to force sensor arrays provided on the body of the stylus to select a function.

[0018] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 in which an active stylus 100 is illustrated in a perspective view, and to FIG. 2 in which the active stylus 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in a cross-sectional view along the line A-A', according to an example of the disclosure. [0019] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the active stylus 100 has a longitudinal body 110, having a first side (first portion) 110a and a second side (second portion) 110b. The body 110 has a first end 120 and a second end 130. At the second end 130 of the body 110, a tip 140 is formed. The tip 140 may be utilized to contact a touchscreen of an electronic apparatus to provide an input to the electronic apparatus. Overall, the stylus 100 may be pen-shaped and the body 110 may be elongated in a direction from the first end 120 to the second end 130. In FIG. 1 the body 110 of the stylus is illustrated as having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, however the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the body 110 may be cylindrically shaped. Referring to FIG. 2, the active stylus 100 may include an inner housing 170, where the force sensor arrays 150, 160 may be disposed between the inner housing 170 and the body 110 (outer housing) of the stylus 100. The inner housing 170 may store various components of the stylus 100, for example.

[0020] A first force sensor array 150 may be disposed on a portion of or along the entire first side (first portion) 110a of the body 110. The first force sensor array 150 may further be disposed symmetrically on a corresponding opposite side (opposite portion) 110c of the first side (first portion) 110a of the body 110 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A second force sensor array 160 may be disposed on a portion of or along the entire second side (second portion) 110b of the body 110. The second force sensor array 160 may further be disposed symmetrically on a corresponding opposite side (opposite portion) 110d of the second side (second portion) 110b of the body 110 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The first and second force sensor arrays 150, 160 may be disposed discretely, that is, separate from one another, or the first and second force sensor arrays 150, 160 may disposed as parts of a continuous force sensor array 190, discussed below.

[0021] In an example in which the body 110 is cylindrically shaped, the first force sensor array 150 may be disposed on a portion of a first portion of the body or along the entire first portion of the body 110. The first force sensor array 150 may further be disposed symmetrically on a corresponding opposite portion of the first portion of the body 110. A second force sensor array 160 may be disposed on a portion of a second portion or along the entire second portion of the body 110. The second force sensor array 160 may further be disposed symmetrically on a corresponding opposite portion of the second portion of the body 110. As an example, the first portion and second portion may each correspond to a portion of the circumferential surface, for example along a 90 degree arc, however the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the first force sensor array 150 may be disposed on a first portion of the body 110 along a 120 degree arc, and further be disposed symmetrically on a corresponding opposite portion of the first portion of the body 110. The second force sensor array 160 may be provided on a second portion of the body 110 along a 60 degree arc, and further be disposed symmetrically on a corresponding opposite portion of the second portion of the body 110.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first force sensor array 150 and second force sensor array 160 may include an array of force sensors, for example, in a rectangular matrix form. However, the disclosure is not limited, and the array of force sensors may be arranged in other forms, for example, a circular, elliptical, or polygonal pattern of sensors. For example, the first force sensor array 150 and the second force sensor array 160 may have different array forms or patterns from each other. The force sensor arrays 150, 160 may be arranged on the body 110 of the stylus 100 so that an array of sensors making up one of the force sensor arrays, does not overlap with an array of sensors making up the other of the force sensor arrays. For example, an array of sensors making up the first force sensor array 150 may not overlap with an array of sensors making up the second force sensor array 160 in a longitudinal or axial direction of the stylus, for example. The force sensor arrays 150, 160 may include a plurality of sensors to form the array of sensors. The sensors forming the force sensor arrays 150, 160 may include a pressure sensor, a strain gauge, a capacitive electrode, a piezoelectric force transducer, or combinations thereof, for example. A force applied to the force sensor arrays 150, 160 may be determined based on an electrical capacitance, a pressure value, an electrical resistance value, and the like. By disposing the force sensor arrays 150, 160 around the body of the stylus 300, forces may be detected around the body of the stylus 300 and may detect or distinguish a force applied to the stylus 300 as a finger, or as a hand, for example. The force sensor arrays 150, 160 may recognize finger movement along the body to determine a gesture from the user, for example a slide gesture. [0023] As an example, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, a continuous force sensor array 190 may be disposed around the body of the stylus 100. For example, a force sensor controller 340 (to be described in more detail later), may designate portions of the continuous force sensor array 190 as corresponding to the first force sensor array 150 and the second force sensor array 160. For example, when a force is applied to a first portion of the continuous force sensor array 190 which is designated as corresponding to the first force sensor array 150, a signal received by the force sensor controller 340 representing the force applied to the first portion corresponds to the first signal. Likewise, when a force is applied to a second portion of the continuous force sensor array 190 which is designated as corresponding to the second force sensor array 160, a signal received by the force sensor controller 340 representing the force applied to the second portion corresponds to the second signal. The force sensor controller 340 may generate information based on the first and second signals and transmit the information to an external device to control an operation of the external device.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a system including a stylus and electronic apparatus is illustrated according to an example of the disclosure. [0025] The stylus 300 and electronic apparatus 400 may interact or communicate with one another. Stylus 300 may correspond to stylus 100 of FIG. 1 . For example, stylus 300 and electronic apparatus 400 may be configured to communicate with one another to exchange information in a wired and/or wireless manner. For example, stylus 300 and electronic apparatus 400 may be configured to communicate with one another to exchange information by physical or mechanical contact with each other, for example, by a tip of stylus 300 contacting a touchscreen of electronic apparatus 400.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the stylus of FIG. 3 is illustrated, according to an example of the disclosure.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 4, example components of the stylus 300 may include a power source 305, switch 310, charging connector 315, charger integrated circuit (IC) 320, wireless communication module 325, user interface module 330, main controller 335, force sensor controller 340, tip sensor module 345, first force sensor array 350, and second force sensor array 360. More or fewer components than those illustrated in FIG. 4 may be included in the stylus 300, which is merely an example.

[0028] Power source 305 may be include any source of power for the stylus 300. For example, the power source 305 may be a battery. The battery may be a dry cell battery, for example, which may or may not be rechargeable. For example, the battery may be a lithium ion battery.

[0029] Switch 310 may be a mechanical switch that is used to trigger a function of the electronic apparatus 400. For example, the switch 310 may be a button.

A function of the electronic apparatus 400 may be controlled by operation of the switch 310. For example, activation of the switch 310 a single time, e.g., a single click, may cause a first operation of the electronic apparatus 400 to be executed, while activation of the switch 310 two times, e.g., a double-click, may cause a second operation of the electronic apparatus 400 to be executed. A switch 310 may be disposed along a side surface of the body and/or at an end of the stylus, for example, however such locations are merely examples.

[0030] The charging connector 315 may be a charging port that may be used to charge various components of the stylus, for example the power source (battery) 305 or other components such as main controller 335 and/or force sensor controller 340 of the stylus 300. For example, the charging connector 315 may be connectable to a power source in a wired or wireless fashion to supply energy to the components of the stylus. For example, the charging connector may be a USB charging port, for example, a wireless USB charging port. Charger IC 320 may be a controller which controls charging operations of the power source 305.

[0031] Wireless communication module (wireless communication interface) 325 may include a communication interface which includes a transmitter to wirelessly transmit information to an external device such as the electronic apparatus 400 and a receiver to wirelessly receive information from the external device such as the electronic apparatus 400. For example, the wireless communication module 325 may include a transceiver and/or antenna. The wireless communication module 325 may include a wireless communication port for wireless communication via a wireless communication protocol such as WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n, Near Field Communication, BLUETOOTH, and the like.

[0032] User interface module 330 may include various components to enable or assist a user operating the stylus 300. For example, the user interface module 330 may include a haptic feedback device such as a vibrator to provide feedback to a user operating the stylus 300. For example, the user interface module 330 may include an audio device having a microphone and/or speaker, through which a user may supply commands or receive feedback or information regarding operations of the stylus 300. The user interface module 330 may include other components such as a camera, which may be used by a user to operate the stylus 300.

[0033] Main controller 335 may be configured to control operations of the force sensor controller 340 and tip sensor module 345 as well as control operations of other components of the stylus 300. The main controller 335 may receive information from the force sensor controller 340 regarding forces applied to the first and second force sensor arrays 350 and 360.

[0034] Force sensor controller 340 may be configured to control operations of the first and second force sensor arrays 350 and 360 as well as control operations of other components of the stylus 300. The force sensor controller 340 may receive information, for example in the form of signals, from the first and second force sensor arrays 350 and 360 regarding forces applied to the first and second force sensor arrays 350 and 360. For example, force sensor controller 340 may receive information regarding a location and a magnitude of forces applied to the first and second force sensor arrays 350 and 360. Force sensor controller 340 may receive a signal from the first force sensor array 350 independently from a signal received from the second force sensor array 360. [0035] For example, the first force sensor array 350 may be disposed on a first portion of the body, and may include a first plurality of sensors. The second force sensor array 360 may be disposed on a second portion of the body, and may include a second plurality of sensors. The force sensor controller 340 may receive a first signal from a first sensor among the first plurality of sensors indicating a first location of a first force and a first magnitude of the first force applied in a first direction to the first portion of the body. For example, the first direction may be a direction which is perpendicular to the first sensor or to the first portion of the body. The force sensor controller 340 may also receive a second signal from a second sensor among the second plurality of sensors indicating a second location of a second force and a second magnitude of the second force applied in a second direction to the second portion of the body.

For example, the second direction may be a direction which is perpendicular to the second sensor or to the second portion of the body. The force sensor controller 340 may generate information corresponding to an operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400, based on the first signal and the second signal, and transmit the information to the electronic apparatus 400. [0036] Force sensor arrays 350, 360 may be used to detect or distinguish between a finger which is used to input gestures (for example, a slide gesture), and a finger which is used to support or hold the stylus 300. For example, when a user performs a slide gesture with respect to the first force sensor array 350, the second signal transmitted from the second force sensor array to the force sensor controller 340 may be used to provide additional finger information for generating the information to be transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400. A user may perform slide gestures, press gestures, tap gestures, and the like on the first force sensor array 350 and/or the second force sensor array 360. The force sensor controller 340 may distinguish whether a user is performing an input (application of force or gesture) to the first force sensor array 350 or to the second force sensor array 360. The force sensor controller 340 may generate information to be transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 so that different operations are performed according to an input made to the first force sensor array 350 and/or to the second force sensor array 360.

[0037] For example, when a user performs a slide up gesture to the first force sensor array 350 and a static finger is placed on second force sensor array 360, the force sensor controller 340 may generate information which is transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 so that a slide up operation is performed by the electronic apparatus 400. For example, when a user performs a slide up gesture to the second force sensor array 360 and a static finger is placed on first force sensor array 350, the force sensor controller 340 may generate information which is transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 so that a volume of the electronic apparatus 400 is increased. As another example, when a user presses on the first force sensor array 350 and the second force sensor array 360, the force sensor controller 340 may generate information which is transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 so that a stroke effect will become deeper based on a pre-defined function.

[0038] The force sensor controller 340 may receive a first signal from the first force sensor array 350 indicating a first location and a first magnitude of a first force applied to the first portion of the body, and receive a second signal from the second force sensor array 360 indicating a second location and a second magnitude of a second force applied to the second portion of the body. For example, when the first magnitude is greater than a threshold value (a first threshold) and the second magnitude is greater than the threshold value (first threshold), the force sensor controller 340 may generate information corresponding to a first operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400 (external device). When the first magnitude is greater than the first threshold and the second magnitude is less than the first threshold, the force sensor controller 340 may generate information corresponding to a second operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400 (external device).

The first and second operations to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400 may be an operation to control an application or program being executed by the electronic apparatus 400 in connection with the stylus 300, for example, a scroll up or scroll down operation. The first and second operations to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400 may also be an operation to control an operation of the electronic apparatus 400 itself, for example, controlling a volume of a speaker of the electronic apparatus 400.

[0039] For example, the first force sensor array 350 may be disposed on the first portion of the body and the second force sensor array 350 may be disposed on the second portion. When a first signal received from the first force sensor array 340 indicates a slide up or slide down gesture is performed on the first force sensor array 340, the force sensor controller 340 may transmit first information to the electronic apparatus 400 to cause a first operation of the electronic apparatus 400 to be performed. When a second signal received from the second force sensor array 350 indicates a force is applied to the second force sensor array 350, the force sensor controller 340 may transmit second information to the electronic apparatus 400 to cause a second operation of the electronic apparatus 400 to be performed, independently of the first operation. [0040] Tip sensor module 345 may include a transmitter 346 and a tip force sensor 347. The transmitter 346 may transmit information to the electronic apparatus 400, for example, information regarding forces applied to the first and second force sensor arrays 350, 360. For example, the transmitter 346 may transmit information about the location and magnitude of forces applied to the first and second force sensor arrays 350, 360. Tip force sensor 347 may detect an amount of force or pressure applied by the tip to a surface to which the tip contacts, for example a touchscreen of the electronic apparatus 400.

[0041] First force sensor array 350 and second force sensor array 360 respectively output signals to the force sensor controller 340 which indicate a location and a magnitude of a force applied thereto. First force sensor array 350 and second force sensor array 360 may correspond to the first force sensor array 150 and second force sensor array 160 of FIG. 1 , respectively, and so a repeated description thereof will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram of the electronic apparatus 400 is illustrated, according to an example of the disclosure.

[0043] The electronic apparatus 400 includes a processor 410, a display 420, a storage 430, a communication interface 440, a user interface 450, and a driver 460. As mentioned above, the electronic apparatus 400 may include, but is not limited to, desktop computers, notebooks, tablets, laptops, smart phones, televisions, and the like. The electronic apparatus 400 may include more or less components than those shown in FIG. 5.

[0044] The processor 410 of the electronic apparatus 400 may execute instructions stored in the storage 430. The processor 410 may be, for example, an arithmetic logic unit, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an image processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array, a programmable logic unit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or combinations thereof.

[0045] The display 420 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED), flexible display, 3D display, a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, and the like, for example. The display 420 may also be a touchscreen display to receive a user input, for example from stylus 300.

[0046] The storage 430 of the electronic apparatus 400 may include, for example, machine readable storage devices which may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. For example, the storage 430 may include a nonvolatile memory device, such as a Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), and flash memory, a USB drive, a volatile memory device such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a hard disk, floppy disks, a blue-ray disk, or optical media such as CD ROM discs and DVDs, or combinations thereof.

[0047] The electronic apparatus 400 may include a communication interface 440 to exchange information and communicate with external devices such as stylus 300. The communication interface 440 may connect with external devices in a wired and/or wireless manner, for example over a network such as a local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), virtual private network (VPN), or the like. For example, wireless communication between elements of the examples disclosed herein may be performed via a wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), near field communication (NFC), a radio frequency (RF) signal, and the like. For example, wired communication between electronic apparatus 400 and external devices may be performed via a pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, an Ethernet cable, and the like.

[0048] The electronic apparatus 400 may include a user interface 450 to receive an input from a user to control an operation of the electronic apparatus 400, and the display 420 can display information regarding the electronic apparatus 400. The user interface 450 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a button, a switch, a gesture recognition sensor, an input sound device or voice recognition sensor such as a microphone, an output sound device such as a speaker, a track ball, a remote control, a touchscreen, or combinations thereof.

[0049] The electronic apparatus 400 may include a driver 460, for example a stylus driver 460 for stylus 300. The stylus driver 460 may include instructions or a computer program for an operating system of the electronic apparatus 400 which uses the stylus driver 460 to communicate and exchange information with stylus 300. For example, when a user provides an input to stylus 300, the stylus 300 may communicate with the electronic apparatus 400 and provide information to the electronic apparatus 400, via the stylus driver 460. Likewise, the electronic apparatus 400 may communicate with the stylus 300 and provide information to the stylus 300, via the stylus driver 460.

[0050] For example, the processor 410 may execute instructions stored in the storage 430 to receive information from stylus 300 indicating a first location of a first force and a first magnitude of the first force applied to a first portion of a body of the stylus 300, and a second location of a second force and a second magnitude of the second force applied to a second portion of the body of the stylus 300. The processor 410 may determine an operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400 based on the information, and control the electronic apparatus 400 to perform the operation. For example, the operation to be performed may be determined using the stylus driver 460 by mapping the information to an operation stored in a lookup table stored in the storage 430. For example, the operation to be performed may also be determined based on the information and in combination with a location of a contact of the stylus 300 to a touchscreen of the electronic apparatus 400, for example, a touchscreen display 420 of the electronic apparatus 400.

[0051] For example, when the information indicates the first magnitude is greater than a first threshold and the second magnitude is greater than the first threshold, the processor 410 may determine a first operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400, and when the information indicates the first magnitude is greater than the first threshold and the second magnitude is less than the first threshold, the processor 410 may determine a second operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400.

[0052] For example, when the information indicates the first force applied to the first portion of the body is static and the second signal indicates the second force applied to the second portion of the body is static, the processor 410 may to determine a first operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400, and when the information indicates the first force applied to the first portion of the body moves along the first portion of the body and the second signal indicates the second force applied to the second portion of the body is static, the processor 410 may determine a second operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400.

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates an example workflow or process 600 of operations of the stylus 300 when the stylus 300 is held (or not held) by a user, according to examples disclosed herein.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 6, when the stylus 300 is not in use the stylus 300 may be turned off or the stylus 300 and functions of the stylus 300 may be set to a sleep mode. For example, the stylus 300 may be set to a sleep mode after a duration of time, for example, sixty seconds.

[0055] At operation 610, when the stylus 300 is in the sleep mode and a force signal is not detected, at operation 620 the stylus 300 may be kept off or kept in the sleep mode. For example, if a force is not sensed by the first force sensor array 350 and the second force sensor array 360, then the stylus 300 may be kept off or in the sleep mode. As another example, a user may inadvertently or slightly touch the stylus 300 without intending to use the stylus 300. Therefore, a threshold value may be utilized in determining whether to turn on or wake the stylus 300 at operation 610. For example, the stylus 300 may be turned on or woken up after the stylus 300 is touched or a force is applied for a duration of time and/or when a force of the touch on the stylus 300 is greater than a threshold value (second threshold). Here, the second threshold may be less than the first threshold discussed above. When the stylus 300 is not touched or a force is not applied for longer than the duration of time and/or when the touch or force applied to the stylus 300 is not greater than the threshold value, then at operation 620 the stylus 300 may be kept off or kept in the sleep mode. For example, when the first magnitude is less than the second threshold and the second magnitude is less than the second threshold, the main controller 335 or force sensor controller 340 may switch the stylus 300 to the sleep mode from an active mode after a duration of time (e.g., after 30 seconds).

[0056] At operation 610, when the stylus 300 is in the sleep mode and a force signal is detected, at operation 630 the stylus 300 may be turned on or woken from the sleep mode and placed in the active mode. For example, if a force is sensed by the first force sensor array 350 and/or the second force sensor array 360, then the main controller 335 or force sensor controller 340 may control the stylus 300 to be turned on or woken from the sleep mode. As mentioned above, in some examples a threshold value may be utilized in determining whether to turn on or wake the stylus 300 at operation 610. For example, at operation 630 the stylus 300 may be turned on or woken up after the stylus 300 is touched or a force is sensed for a duration of time and/or when a force of the touch on the stylus 300 is greater than a threshold value (second threshold), to switch the stylus from the sleep mode to the active mode. For example, when at least one of the first magnitude or the second magnitude is greater than the second threshold, the main controller 335 or force sensor controller 340 may maintain the stylus 300 in the active mode or switch the stylus 300 to the active mode from the sleep mode. Also at operation 630 the stylus 300 may begin a multiple force sensor array scan. For example, the force sensor controller 340 may control the first force sensor array 350 and the second force sensor array 360 to sense a force applied to the respective arrays.

[0057] At operation 640 the force sensor controller 340 may determine whether fingers of the user are static on one or both of the first force sensor array 350 and the second force sensor array 360, or changes locations by movement of the finger along one or both of the first force sensor array 350 and the second force sensor array 360. The force sensor controller 340 can determine a static finger or a change finger (i.e. , a finger which changes locations by movement of the finger) based on the first signal and the second signal transmitted from the first force sensor array 350 and the second force sensor array 360, respectively. At operation 650 the force sensor controller 340 may determine the location of the fingers on the first force sensor array 350 and the second force sensor array 360. For example, the force sensor controller 340 may determine changes in the location of the finger by detecting changes in capacitance, electrical resistance, pressure, or another measurement unit, at various locations of the first force sensor array 350 or the second force sensor array 360.

[0058] For example, the force sensor controller 340 may make a first determination, based on the first signal, whether a first force applied to the first portion of the body is static or moves along the first portion of the body, and may make a second determination, based on the second signal, whether the second force applied to the second portion of the body is static or moves along the second portion of the body. The force sensor controller 340 may generate information corresponding to an operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400, based on the first determination and the second determination. [0059] The force sensor controller 340 may transmit information indicating a first gesture when the first determination is the first force applied to the first portion of the body moves along the first portion of the body and the second determination is the second force applied to second portion of the body is static. The force sensor controller 340 may transmit information indicating a second gesture when the first determination is the first force applied to the first portion of the body is static and the second determination is the second force applied to second portion of the body is static.

[0060] As an example, the force sensor controller 340 may determine a press gesture (first gesture) when a first finger touching the first force sensor array 350 is static and a second finger touching the second force sensor array 360 is also static, and a magnitude of the force applied by the first finger to the first force sensor array 350 is greater than a threshold value and/or a magnitude of the force applied by the second finger to the second force sensor array 360 is also greater than the threshold value. The threshold value to determine the press gesture may correspond to the first threshold value and be greater than the threshold value which may be used to determine whether to wake up the stylus 300 from the sleep mode.

[0061] As another example, the force sensor controller 340 may determine a slide gesture (second gesture) when a first finger touching the first force sensor array 350 moves along the first portion of the body and a second finger touching the second force sensor array 360 is static, and a magnitude of the force applied by the first finger to the first force sensor array 350 is greater than a threshold value. The threshold value to determine the slide gesture may correspond to the first threshold value and be greater than the threshold value which may be used to determine whether to wake up the stylus 300 from the sleep mode.

[0062] When the force sensor controller 340 determines the press gesture, at operation 660 a determination may be made as to whether a force is applied to the tip 140 of the stylus 300, for example, whether the tip 140 is applied to a surface of the electronic apparatus 400. A magnitude of the force applied to the tip 140 can be sensed using the tip force sensor 347 disposed in the tip sensor module 345, for example. Likewise, when the force sensor controller 340 determines the slide gesture, at operation 680 a determination may be made as to whether a force is applied to the tip 140 of the stylus 300, for example, whether the tip 140 is applied to a surface of the electronic apparatus 400. A magnitude of the force applied to the tip 140 can be sensed using the tip force sensor 347 disposed in the tip sensor module 345, for example. In an example, a gesture input by a user via the stylus 300 may be ignored when the tip force sensor 347 does not sense a force applied to the tip 140. As another example, different gestures may be determined based on the magnitude of the force applied to the tip 140 in combination with the magnitudes of force applied to the first and second force sensor arrays 350, 360.

[0063] At operation 670, based on the press gesture and based on the tip force sensor magnitude, information is transmitted from the stylus 300 to the electronic apparatus 400 to control a function or operation of the electronic apparatus 400. Likewise, operation 690 based on the slide gesture and based on the tip force sensor magnitude, information is transmitted from the stylus 300 to the electronic apparatus 400 to control a function or operation of the electronic apparatus 400.

[0064] For example, the information may be transmitted from the stylus 300 to the electronic apparatus 400 via a wireless method such as through a BLUETOOTH communication method or through NFC. For example, the information may be transmitted from the stylus 300 to the electronic apparatus 400 via the transmitter 346 disposed in the tip sensor module 345.

[0065] As an example, the content of the information transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 may be coarse or raw information such as a magnitude of force applied to the first force sensor array 350, the second force sensor array 360, the tip force sensor, or combinations thereof. The content of the information may also include a location of a user's touch applied to the first force sensor array 350 and/or the second force sensor array 360. The coarse or raw information may be transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 via transmitter 346, for example.

[0066] In response to the electronic apparatus 400 receiving the information from the transmitter 346, the stylus driver 460 installed in the electronic apparatus 400 may interpret the information to cause an operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400. The stylus driver 460 may map the information to carry out a function or operation, for example using a lookup table stored in the storage 430. For example, the stylus driver 460 may identify or determine a function or operation to be performed according to which force sensor arrays a force or a touch is applied, a magnitude of force applied to the force sensor arrays, a kind of gesture performed (e.g., a press, tap, or slide gesture), and the like. For example, when the information received by the stylus driver 460 regarding the location and magnitude of the force applied to the first and second force arrays indicates a user performs a press gesture by pressing on the first and second force sensor arrays 350, 360 in which fingers applied to the first and second force sensor arrays 350, 360 are static (stationary), the stylus driver 460 may cause an effect of a stroke of the stylus 300 to the touchscreen of the electronic apparatus 400 to become deeper.

[0067] As another example, the content of the information transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 may be information concerning the gesture itself or a hit or trigger event, rather than coarse or raw information regarding the magnitude of the force or location information regarding a touch or an application of a force. The information may be transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 via the wireless communication module 325, for example via BLUETOOTH or NFC.

[0068] For example, the stylus 300 itself may interpret the magnitude of the force applied to the first force sensor array 350, the second force sensor array 360, the tip force sensor, or combinations thereof, and the location of a user's touch or a force applied to the first force sensor array 350 and/or the second force sensor array 360, to determine the gesture of the user, for example, a press, tap, or slide gesture. For example, the wireless communication module 325, main controller 335, force sensor controller 340, or combinations thereof may coordinate to determine the gesture and to transmit the gesture information to the electronic apparatus 400.

[0069] The electronic apparatus 400 may receive the gesture information from the stylus 300 via communication interface 440. For example, a wireless driver such as a BLUETOOTH driver of the electronic apparatus 400 in coordination with the processor 410 may interpret the gesture information as hit or trigger events to carry out functions or operations by the electronic apparatus 400. [0070] For example, the wireless driver may identify a function or operation to be performed according to a type of gesture identified from the gesture information, for example, a slide up gesture, slide down gesture, tap gesture, press gesture, and the like. The electronic apparatus 400 may map various gestures to functions or operations of the electronic apparatus 400, such that a function or operation is executed when a certain gesture is identified. The mapping of the gestures to the functions or operations may be stored in storage 430, for example, in the form of a lookup table. The processor 410 of the electronic apparatus 400 may cause an operation to be performed according to the identified gesture. For example, when the wireless driver interprets the gesture information as a slide up gesture, the processor 410 may cause a page displayed on the screen of the electronic apparatus 400 to be scrolled upward. [0071] FIG. 7 illustrates an example apparatus 700 for detecting forces applied to a plurality of force sensor arrays and transmitting information to an electronic apparatus 400 based on the detected forces to control an operation of the electronic apparatus 400, according to examples of the disclosure.

[0072] In an example, the apparatus 700 may be the stylus 300. The apparatus 700 includes controller 710 and non-transitory machine readable storage medium 720. The non-transitory machine readable storage medium 720 may include instructions 721 , 722, 723, and 724, that, when executed by the controller 710, cause various functions or operations to be performed. The controller 710 may correspond to force sensor controller 340, and the non- transitory machine readable storage medium 720 may be a storage of the stylus 300 or a storage of the force sensor controller 340, for example.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 7, instructions 721 include instructions to receive a first signal from a first force sensor array 350 of the stylus 300 indicating a first location and a first magnitude of a first force applied to a first portion of a body of the stylus 300. The instructions 722 include instructions to receive a second signal from a second force sensor array 360 of the stylus 300 indicating a second location and a second magnitude of a second force applied to a second portion of the body.

[0074] Instructions 723 include instructions to generate information corresponding to an operation to be performed by an electronic apparatus 400, based on the first signal and the second signal. The instructions may include instructions to generate the information based on whether the first signal indicates the first force applied to the first portion of the body is static or moves along the second portion of the body, and based on whether the second signal indicates the second force applied to the second portion of the body is static or moves along the second portion of the body.

[0075] For example, the information generated may correspond to a first operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400 when the first magnitude and the second magnitude are each greater than a first threshold. The instructions may include instructions to determine that a press gesture is performed or intended by a user when the first magnitude and the second magnitude are each greater than the first threshold. The instructions may include instructions to transmit information corresponding to the press gesture to the electronic apparatus 400. For example, the first operation may be an operation to cause an effect of a stroke of the stylus 300 to the touchscreen of the electronic apparatus 400 to become deeper.

[0076] For example, the information generated may correspond to a second operation to be performed by the electronic apparatus 400 when one of the first magnitude and the second magnitude is greater than the first threshold and the other of the first magnitude and the second magnitude is less than the first threshold. The instructions may include instructions to determine that a tap gesture is performed or intended by a user when one of the first magnitude and the second magnitude is greater than the first threshold and the other of the first magnitude and the second magnitude is less than the first threshold. The instructions may include instructions to transmit information corresponding to the tap gesture to the electronic apparatus 400. For example, the second operation may be an operation to cause an item to be selected from a menu displayed on the touchscreen of the electronic apparatus 400, or an application to be executed by the electronic apparatus 400.

[0077] Instructions 724 include instructions to transmit the information to the electronic apparatus 400 to cause the electronic apparatus 400 to perform an operation. For example, the information may include the first location and the first magnitude of the first force applied to the first portion of the body, and the second location and the second magnitude of the second force applied to the second portion of the body. For example, the information may be information which identifies a type of gesture recognized by the controller, for example, a press gesture, a tap gesture, a slide gesture, and the like. The information transmitted to the electronic apparatus 400 may further be based on a magnitude of a force applied to the tip of the stylus 300.

[0078] The non-transitory machine readable storage medium 720 may include other instructions that, when executed by the controller 710, cause various functions or operations to be performed. For example, the non-transitory machine readable storage medium 720 may include instructions to cause the controller to, when the stylus 300 is in a sleep mode, wake the stylus 300 from the sleep mode in response to a magnitude of a force applied to the first portion and a magnitude of a force applied to the second portion each being greater than a second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold.

[0079] According to the above-described examples, a stylus includes a first force sensor array and a second force sensor array which are disposed on a body of the stylus. A controller, for example a force sensor controller, may receive signals from the first and second force sensor arrays indicating locations and magnitudes of forces which are applied to the body of the stylus. The controller may generate information corresponding to an operation to be performed by an electronic apparatus, based on the first and second signals, and transmit the information to the electronic apparatus so that the electronic apparatus performs the operation. For example, the combinations of plural locations and corresponding force magnitudes received from the output first and second signals may allow for any number of gestures or operations to be assigned through a mapping according and also to better detect unintended or erroneous or inadvertent gestures. The stylus disclosed herein provides an intuitive input method for users to control the stylus and operations of an electronic apparatus used together with the stylus. Users may interact with the stylus intuitively with more customized functions and increase productivity.

[0080] Executable instructions to perform processes or operations in accordance with the above-described examples may be recorded in a machine readable storage. A controller or processor may execute the executable instructions to perform the processes or operations. Examples of instructions include both machine code, such as that produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the controller using an interpreter. The instructions may be executed by a processor or a plurality of processors included in the controller. The machine readable storage may be distributed among computer systems connected through a network and machine readable codes or instructions may be stored and executed in a decentralized manner.

[0081] Each block of the flowchart illustrations may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some examples, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently (simultaneously) or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

[0082] The foregoing examples are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. The disclosure can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Various modifications may be made which are also intended to be encompassed by the disclosure. Also, the description of the examples of the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A stylus, comprising: a body; a first force sensor array disposed on a first portion of the body, the first force sensor array including a first plurality of sensors; a second force sensor array disposed on a second portion of the body, the second force sensor array including a second plurality of sensors; and a controller to: receive a first signal from a first sensor among the first plurality of sensors indicating a first location of a first force and a first magnitude of the first force applied in a first direction to the first portion of the body, receive a second signal from a second sensor among the second plurality of sensors indicating a second location of a second force and a second magnitude of the second force applied in a second direction to the second portion of the body, generate information corresponding to an operation to be performed by an external device, based on the first signal and the second signal, and transmit the information to the external device.

2. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein when the first magnitude is greater than a first threshold and the second magnitude is greater than the first threshold, the controller is to generate information corresponding to a first operation to be performed by the external device, and when the first magnitude is greater than the first threshold and the second magnitude is less than the first threshold, the controller is to generate information corresponding to a second operation to be performed by the external device.

3. The stylus of claim 2, wherein when the first magnitude is less than a second threshold and the second magnitude is less than the second threshold, the controller is to switch the stylus to a sleep mode from an active mode after a duration of time, when at least one of the first magnitude or the second magnitude is greater than the second threshold, the controller is to maintain the stylus in the active mode or to switch the stylus to the active mode from the sleep mode, and the second threshold is less than the first threshold.

4. The stylus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is to: make a first determination, based on the first signal, whether the first force applied to the first portion of the body is static or moves along the first portion of the body, make a second determination, based on the second signal, whether the second force applied to the second portion of the body is static or moves along the second portion of the body, and generate the information corresponding to the operation to be performed by the external device, based on the first determination and the second determination.

5. The stylus of claim 4, wherein the controller is to transmit information indicating a first gesture when the first determination is the first force applied to the first portion of the body moves along the first portion of the body and the second determination is the second force applied to second portion of the body is static, and the controller is to transmit information indicating a second gesture when the first determination is the first force applied to the first portion of the body is static and the second determination is the second force applied to second portion of the body is static.

6. The stylus of claim 1 , further comprising: a tip force sensor disposed in a tip of the stylus to detect a magnitude of a force applied to the tip of the stylus, wherein the information transmitted to the external device is based on the magnitude of the force applied to the tip of the stylus.

7. A non-transitory machine readable storage comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a controller of a stylus to: receive a first signal from a first force sensor array of the stylus indicating a first location of a first force and a first magnitude of the first force applied to a first portion of a body of the stylus; receive a second signal from a second force sensor array of the stylus indicating a second location of a second force and a second magnitude of the second force applied to a second portion of the body; and generate information to be transmitted to an external device to cause the external device to perform an operation, the information being generated based on the first signal and the second signal.

8. The non-transitory machine readable storage of claim 7, wherein the non-transitory machine readable storage further comprises instructions that when executed cause the controller to: generate information corresponding to a first operation to be performed by the external device when the first magnitude and the second magnitude are each greater than a first threshold; generate information corresponding to a second operation to be performed by the external device when one of the first magnitude and the second magnitude is greater than the first threshold and the other of the first magnitude and the second magnitude is less than the first threshold.

9. The non-transitory machine readable storage of claim 7, wherein the non-transitory machine readable storage further comprises instructions that when executed cause the controller to: when the stylus is in a sleep mode, wake the stylus from the sleep mode in response to a magnitude of a force applied to the first portion and a magnitude of a force applied to the second portion each being greater than a second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold.

10. The non-transitory machine readable storage of claim 7, wherein the non-transitory machine readable storage further comprises instructions that when executed cause the controller to: generate information corresponding to the operation to be performed by the external device, based on whether the first signal indicates the first force applied to the first portion of the body is static or moves along the first portion of the body, and based on whether the second signal indicates the second force applied to the second portion of the body is static or moves along the second portion of the body.

11 . The non-transitory machine readable storage of claim 7, wherein the information includes the first location of the first force and the first magnitude of the first force applied to the first portion of the body, and the second location of the second force and the second magnitude of the second force applied to the second portion of the body.

12. A stylus, comprising: a body having a first portion and a second portion; a first force sensor array disposed on the first portion; a second force sensor array disposed on the second portion; and a controller to: when a first signal received from the first force sensor array indicates a slide up or slide down gesture is performed on the first force sensor array, transmit first information to an external device to cause a first operation of the external device to be performed, and when a second signal received from the second force sensor array indicates a force is applied to the second force sensor array, transmit second information to the external device to cause a second operation of the external device to be performed, independently of the first operation.

13. The stylus of claim 12, further comprising: a tip, disposed at an end of the body, having a transmitter; and a wireless communication interface disposed in the body, wherein the controller is to transmit the first information and the second information to the external device via the transmitter, or via the wireless communication interface.

14. The stylus of claim 13, wherein the controller is to generate the second information based on a magnitude of the force applied to the second force sensor array, when the second information includes gesture information generated by the controller based on the magnitude of the force applied to the second force sensor, the controller is to transmit the gesture information via the wireless communication interface, and when the second information includes the magnitude of the force applied to the second force sensor , the controller is to transmit the magnitude via the transmitter.

15. The stylus of claim 12, further comprising: a tip, disposed at an end of the body, having a tip force sensor, wherein the controller is to generate the first information and the second information based on a force sensed by the tip force sensor.