US 11,635,828 B2 · Adaptable digital pen and touch sensitive device

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided that address interoperability limitations of current digital pens and touch sensitive devices. In aspects, methods are provided for operating an adaptable digital pen and touch sensitive device to determine the best means for pen state information such as pressure information to be transferred from the pen to the device. A digital pen includes multiple communication interfaces to permit wide compatibility with touch sensitive devices. A communication interface is provided that enables the digital pen to communicate via an active pen protocol with a digitizer of the touch sensitive device while operating in a first mode. Another communication interface is provided as an alternative channel for communicating pen state information to the touch sensitive device while operating in a second mode. Where neither such interface suffices for communicating pen state information to the touch sensitive device, the digital pen may operate in a reflective capacitive mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of operating a touch sensitive device to receive digital pen input and provide same to a host application executing on the touch sensitive device, the digital pen including a pen tip with configurable output characteristics, the method comprising:

determining whether the touch sensitive device is receiving pen state information from the digital pen via a first communication channel while operating the touch sensitive device in a first mode;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is receiving pen state information from the digital pen via the first communication channel, continuing to operate the touch sensitive device in the first mode;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is not receiving the pen state information via the first communication channel, switching the touch sensitive device to operate in a second mode and determining whether the touch sensitive device is enabled to receive the pen state information from the digital pen via a second communication channel;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is enabled to receive the pen state information via the second communication channel, continuing to operate the touch sensitive device in the second mode;
and
when it is determined that the touch sensitive device is not enabled to receive the pen state information via the second communication channel, switching the touch sensitive device to operate in a third mode.

3 more elements

A touch sensitive device configured to receive digital pen input and provide same to a host application executing on the touch sensitive device, the digital pen including a pen tip with configurable output characteristics, the touch sensitive device comprising:

a digitizer including a first communication channel;
an input/output module including a second communication channel;
one or more processor circuits;
one or more memory devices connected to the one or more processor circuits, the one or more memory devices storing computer program logic recorded thereon that when executed by the one or more processor circuits, causes the one or more processor circuits to perform operations, the operations comprising:
determining whether the touch sensitive device is receiving pen state information from the digital pen via the first communication channel while operating the touch sensitive device in a first mode;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is receiving pen state information from the digital pen via the first communication channel, continuing to operate the touch sensitive device in the first mode;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is not receiving the pen state information via the first communication channel, switching the touch sensitive device to operate in a second mode and determining whether the touch sensitive device is enabled to receive the pen state information from the digital pen via the second communication channel;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is enabled to receive the pen state information via the second communication channel, continuing to operate the touch sensitive device in the second mode;
and
when it is determined that the touch sensitive device is not enabled to receive the pen state information via the second communication channel, switching the touch sensitive device to operate in a third mode.

7 more elements

A computer program product comprising a computer-readable memory device having computer program logic recorded thereon that when executed by at least one processor of a computing device causes the at least one processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

determining whether a touch sensitive device is receiving pen state information from a digital pen via a first communication channel while operating the touch sensitive device in a first mode;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is receiving pen state information from the digital pen via the first communication channel, continuing to operate the touch sensitive device in the first mode;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is not receiving the pen state information via the first communication channel, switching the touch sensitive device to operate in a second mode and determining whether the touch sensitive device is enabled to receive the pen state information from the digital pen via a second communication channel;
in response to determining that the touch sensitive device is enabled to receive the pen state information via the second communication channel, continuing to operate the touch sensitive device in the second mode;
and
when it is determined that the touch sensitive device is not enabled to receive the pen state information via the second communication channel, switching the touch sensitive device to operate in a third mode.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adaptable digital pen and touch sensitive device

Life of this patent

Adaptable digital pen and touch sensitive device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20