Devices and methods for generating input

A stylus for generating writing input, the stylus comprising:

• an elongated body having a distal end;
• a light source configured to project coherent light on an opposing surface adjacent the distal end;
• at least one sensor including at least three pairs of light detectors and configured to coherently detect first reflections of the coherent light from the opposing surface while the distal end moves in contact with the opposing surface, and to coherently detect second reflections of the coherent light from the opposing surface while the distal end moves above the opposing surface and out of contact with the opposing surface, wherein the at least one sensor is further configured to generate at least one data stream indicative of changes in the first reflections and changes in the second reflections as detected by the at least three pairs of light detectors;
• and
• at least one processor configured to receive the at least one data stream from the at least one sensor and to enable determination of three dimensional movement of the distal end from the changes in first reflections and the changes in second reflections.

A device for generating writing input, the device comprising:

• at least one processor configured to:
• control a light source configured to project coherent light on an opposing surface adjacent a distal end of a stylus;
• receive from at least one sensor including at least three pairs of light detectors at least one data stream indicative of changes in measurements of first reflections of the coherent light from the opposing surface coherently detected by the at least three pairs of light detectors while the distal end moves in contact with the opposing surface and changes in measurements of second reflections of the coherent light from the opposing surface coherently detected by the at least three pairs of light detectors while the distal end moves above the opposing surface and out of contact with the opposing surface;
• and
• enable determination of three dimensional movement of the distal end from the changes in first reflections and the changes in second reflections.

A software product stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising computer implementable instructions for carrying out a method for generating writing input using a stylus, the method comprising:

• projecting coherent light on an opposing surface adjacent a distal end of the stylus;
• coherently detecting first reflections of the coherent light from the opposing surface while the distal end moves in contact with the opposing surface;
• coherently detecting second reflections of the coherent light from the opposing surface while the distal end moves above the opposing surface and out of contact with the opposing surface:
• generating at least one data stream indicative of changes in the first reflections and changes in the second;
• and
• determining, from the at least one data stream, three dimensional movement of the distal end based on changes in first reflections and changes in second reflections.