Writing implement

Abstract

A writing implement 1 includes a sensor 11 and control circuitry 13 so that when the writing implement is brought into close proximity with the input screen of an electronic device, the input screen being of the type that requires an input stylus, the writing tip 3 of the writing implement 1 is prevented from delivering ink to the input screen. This may be achieved by retracting the writing tip within the body of the writing implement, or by extending a stylus tip 20 beyond the writing tip 3 by the means of preventing ink being delivered to the input screen include a mechanism to disengage a ink reservoir 5 from the writing tip 3 of the writing implement 1 and, in the case of a ball-point pen type writing tip 3, having means such as electromagnets 26 arranged to prevent rotation of an ink delivery ball 22 on actuation of the electromagnets. The writing implement 1 may thus be used both as a conventional writing implement and as an input stylus, with the change of function being effected automatically when the writing implement is brought into proximity with the input screen of the electronic device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.