WO2012094633A1

WO2012094633A1 - Brush based input device for use on projected capacitive multi-touch sensors

Info

Publication number: WO2012094633A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/020544
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Sanders
Original assignee: Pengo Creative Inc.
Priority date: 2011-01-07
Filing date: 2012-01-06
Publication date: 2012-07-12

Abstract

An electronic input device for a touch screen having a handle with a first end. The electronic input device also includes a tip coupled to the first end of the handle, the tips including at least two separate clusters of conductive flexible material, the conductive flexible material being sufficiently resiliently compliant and flexible for each cluster of the at least two separate clusters to be able to create a variable physical change pattern when the tip is applied to the touch screen that ranges from a single point to a broad path.

Description

BRUSH BASED INPUT DEVICE FOR

USE ON PROJECTED CAPACITIVE MULTI-TOUCH SENSORS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/430,917, entitled "BRUSH BASED INPUT DEVICE FOR USE ON PROJECTED CAPACITIVE MULTI-TOUCH SENSORS" and filed on January 7, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/510,438, entitled "BRUSH BASED INPUT DEVICE FOR USE ON PROJECTED CAPACITIVE MULTI- TOUCH SENSORS", filed July 21, 2011, and assigned to the assignee hereof and the contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

FIELD

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to input devices for electronic devices, and more particularly, to a brush-based input device for use on projected capacitive multi-touch sensors.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Touch screen devices offer a wide variety of uses and applications for many users in both a professional and recreational capacity. Graphic artists and painters have begun to use touch screen devices as a new tool to create artworks and designs. However, it is not always practical to use just fingers as the input, particularly since most graphic artists and painters over the years have become accustomed to using some type of drawing aid, brush, pen or stylus.

[0004] For example, the paintbrush is one of the most traditional and recognizable artist's tools. It is iconic and has become synonymous with art and painting. The variety of the bristles and the broad range of sizes and shapes, all make the paintbrush one of the most versatile artist's tools. No other input device or tool can recreate the flow and control offered by the bristles of a paintbrush. The touch screen device can be considered like a digital canvas - the paintbrush being the perfect partner for such a device. [0005] The portable nature of touch screen devices and the common desire for many artists and painters to be mobile with their creative tools highlights the need and value to provide better integration.

[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide solutions to current input devices.

SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect of the invention disclosed herein, an electronic input device for a touch screen includes a handle having a first end; and, a tip, coupled to the first end of the handle, having at least two separate conductive flexible means, the conductive flexible means being sufficiently resiliently compliant and flexible for each of the at least two separate conductive flexible means to be able to create a variable physical change pattern when the tip is applied to the touch screen that ranges from a single point to a broad path.

[0008] In one aspect of the invention disclosed herein, an electronic input device for a touch screen includes a handle having a first end; and, a tip, coupled to the first end of the handle, having at least two separate conductive flexible means, the conductive flexible means being sufficiently resiliently compliant and flexible for each of the at least two separate conductive flexible means to be able to create a variable physical change pattern when the tip is applied to the touch screen that ranges from a single point to a broad path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 in use;

[0011] FIG. 3 A is a detailed partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

[0012] FIG. 3B is a detailed partial perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

[0013] FIG. 3C is a detailed partial perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use; [0014] FIG. 3D is a detailed partial perspective view of still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

[0015] FIG. 4A is a detailed side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

[0016] FIG. 4B is a detailed side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

[0017] FIG. 5A is a detailed partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 5B is a detailed partial perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 5C is a detailed partial perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5D is a detailed partial perspective view of still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0023] Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

[0024] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides an input device for use on a touch screen, such as a touch screen with projected capacitive multi-touch sensors, for example.

[0025] In one aspect, a computing system comprises a touch screen; a stylus having a tip formed of a solid piece of a resiliently compliant, conductive flexible materials, the materials of the tip being sufficiently resiliently compliant and flexible to create a variable physical change pattern when applied to the touch screen that ranges from a signal point to a broad path; and software executing on the computing system to interpret the physical change pattern applied to the touch screen by the stylus and generate corresponding graphic images on the display.

[0026] In another aspect, a computer-implemented method, written as a programmable code, stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to receive input signals by a stylus, comprises sensing a variable physical change caused by a stylus when applied to a touch screen, wherein the stylus has a tip formed of a solid piece of a resiliently compliant, conductive flexible materials; interpreting the variable physical change pattern applied to the touch screen; and displaying a corresponding stroke ranging from a point to a broad path.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 , a brush pen 2 may include a handle 8 and a ferrule 6 into which a brush head 3 may be secured. The brush pen 2 may also include a handle tip 10 secured to another end of the handle 8. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the handle tip 10 and the brush head 3 may be interchangeable and may be screwed off. Further, at least a portion of the brush head 3, the handle 8, and the handle tip 10 may be made from a conductive metal, for example. Alternatively, the brush head 3, handle 8, and handle tip 10 may be produced in a variety of other conductive materials.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the brush head 3 may be constructed from a combination of conductive fibers and structural filler bristles. The conductive fibers may include a combination of fibers, which may be made of copper sulfide, for example, chemically bonded to acrylic or nylon fibers, for example. The natural or synthetic filler bristles may provide additional desired brush stability, shape, and structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the structural filler bristles may be made of natural hair bristles, such as goat, hog, or horse hair, for example, in order to recreate the look, feel, and physical characteristics of traditional painting brushes. In another exemplary embodiment, the structural filler bristles may be made of synthetic polymers, such as, nylon, which may be coated with silver or other conductive materials for conductivity.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the brush head 3 and the handle 8 may have different shapes and designs. As noted earlier, the handle tip 10 may be a conductive tip. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, either the handle tip 10 or the brush head 3 may be used as an input device. The ferrule 6 may be integrated into the handle 8. [0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a multi-touch computer processing device 12 may comprise a projected capacitive multi-touch (PCT) input screen surface 14. In an exemplary embodiment, inputs may be made to the device through the projected capacitive multi-touch screen surface by the user's finger, conductive stylus, or conductive brush.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a toe 4 of the brush head 3 may come into contact with the multi-touch screen 14 to provide an input to a software program or application running on the processing device 12. Through a software program or application, the input from the brush 2 may be detected, tracked, and displayed as an on-screen representation of the brush stroke.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user may benefit from the realistic physical feedback and interaction of real physical bristle characteristics between the brush head 3 and the multi-touch screen 14 due to the combination of conductive fibers and filler bristles in the brush head 3. The exemplary embodiment may provide a much close user experience to real painting with real brushes.

[0033] FIG. 3A depicts how the conductive fibers and structural filler bristles that make up the brush head 3 may be arranged to create structured divisions of conductive fibers and non-conductive bristles. For example, the conductive fibers may be arranged in one or more clusters. Care should be taken to maintain the division of conductive fibers and non-conductive bristle in order for each conductive cluster to register as a distinct and separate input by the multi-touch screen 14. The term "cluster", as used herein, may include one or more conductive fibers. The conductive materials used in the construction of the brush 2 may allow the user to change the local electrostatic field created by the multi-touch screen 14 and register a touch location input through the dedicated software program or application running on the computer processing device 12. Through mutual capacitance sensing, the multi-touch screen 14 may simultaneously register multiple touch inputs for a variety of software operations.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the combination of conductive fibers and structural filler bristles may create desired bend and flex characteristics. When the conductive fibers are used alone, the conductive fibers may be difficult to direct and control, thus the conductive fibers may need to be short in order to control and direct them in a useful manner. The inclusion of natural or synthetic filler bristles may allow the brush head 3 to take on much more structure and a shape associated with real paint brushes.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3A, a center 18 of the brush toe 4 may be non-conductive, whereas outer bristle clusters 20 and 22 may be conductive, thus providing the brush head 3 with two distinct conductive contact points X and Y, for example, at a distance apart indicated by a brush toe width A.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3B, when a user directs and presses the brush 2 in a general direction 30, the bristles of brush head 3 may be distorted and spread, which may create a change in alignment and distance between conductive bristle clusters 20 and 22 by a new brush toe width B. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the brush toe width B may be much greater than the previous brush toe width A.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the change of the alignment and distance may be detected by the multi-touch screen 14 and translated by software application running on the computing device 12 into a corresponding brush stroke displayed on the screen. In an exemplary embodiment, a user may be able to adjust the width, shape, and alignment of the brush stroke displayed on the screen by changing the pressure, direction, or orientation of the brush head 3 in relation to the multi-touch screen 14.

[0038] FIG. 4A depicts a side view of an area C created by contact between the brush head 3 and the multi-touch screen 14. FIG. 4B depicts how a user may press the brush 2 in a general direction 40 to create a large contact area D between the brush head 3 and the multi-touch screen 14. The area change shown from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B may be used to create a wide variety of on-screen brush dynamics and characteristics when used in conjunction with a dedicated software application or program.

[0039] The brush 2 may replicate a user experience of a traditional media brush as it interacts with the multi-touch screen 14. In an exemplary embodiment, a variety of brush head shapes and structures may be produced by using technique as shown in FIG. 5A-5D. FIG. 5A-5D depict a standard filbert brush shape, a fan brush shape, a flat brush shape, and a round brush shape respectively. Many more brush variations may be created by using the plurality of conductive bristle clusters. [0040] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the brush 2 may be used to change the local electrostatic field created by the capacitive multi- touch screen 14, the parts used throughout the construction should have enough conductivity to allow an adequate electrostatic change to occur. The connection parts and materials may therefore maintain the overall conductive properties of the brush 2. The brush head 3 may also be made of a correct combination of conductive fibers and structural filler bristles to achieve a variety of different brush sizes, shapes, and characteristics.

[0041] An exemplary embodiment may have two brush heads such as the brush heads 3 at either end of the handle 8, each with a different shape, size or purpose. In an exemplary embodiment, the ferrule 6 may be a separate part or integrated into the handle 8.

[0042] In operation, a user may hold the brush 2 by the handle 8. By bringing the brush head 3 close to the surface of the multi-touch screen 14, the local electrostatic field may be changed thereby reducing the mutual capacitance of sensors in the multi-touch screen 14 and creating a localized input to the computer processing device 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the input may be used to trigger responses and events in a software program or applications running on the processing device 12. In an exemplary embodiment, one example may be an art of painting software applications that may take the inputs from each brush stroke and recreate an on-screen representation of a paint brush stroke.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where a brush 600 is illustrated having multiple interchangeable tips 650a, 650b, and 650c. Each interchangeable tip includes a respective screw portion 654a, 654b, and 654c that threads into a handle 608. Each interchangeable tip also includes a respective rubber gasket 652a, 652b, and 652c that assists in keeping the respective interchangeable tips 650a, 650b, and 650c screwed on. In another aspect of this exemplary embodiment, the interchangeable tips 650a, 650b, and 650c may be secured to the handle 608 through the use of a magnet. In other aspects, the interchangeable tips 650a, 650b, and 650c may also be attached to the handle 608 through other attachment methods.

[0044] A tip may be chosen to be attached to the handle 608 based on the desired shape of the tip. For example, interchangeable tip 650a includes a brush head 656a that includes a plurality of bristles. Other tips may be used, including a solid head 656b on the interchangeable tip 650b, and a large solid head 656c on the interchangeable tip 650c. A cap 640 may also be used to protect the heads 656a, 656b, and 656c.

[0045] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used as a standard brush since all the components and bristles of the brush may accommodate and manipulate real paint and media. An exemplary embodiment may further used in an anti-static environments, such as in the electronic manufacturing industry, for example, as a way of dusting away debris from electrostatic sensitive parts and components.

[0046] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS WE CLAIM:

1. An electronic input device for a touch screen comprising:

a handle comprising a first end; and,

a tip, coupled to the first end of the handle, comprising at least two separate clusters comprising conductive flexible material, the conductive flexible material being sufficiently resiliently compliant and flexible for each cluster of the at least two separate clusters to be able to create a variable physical change pattern when the tip is applied to the touch screen that ranges from a single point to a broad path.

2. The electronic input device of claim 1, wherein the tip further includes a plurality of structural fibers.

3. The electronic input device of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of structural fibers are conductive.

4. The electronic input device of claim 1, further comprising a ferrule attached to the handle.

5. The electronic input device of claim 1, wherein the tip is detachably coupled to the first end of the handle at an attachment portion.

6. The electronic input device of claim 5, wherein the attachment portion comprises:

a first threaded attachment portion on the first end of the handle; and a second threaded attachment portion on the tip, wherein the second threaded attachment portion is configured to attach to the first threaded attachment portion.

7. The electronic input device of claim 1, wherein variable physical change pattern is based on a distance between the at least two separate clusters with relation to the touch screen.

8. The electronic input device of claim 1, wherein variable physical change pattern is based on an area of contact from the at least two separate clusters with relation to the touch screen.

9. The electronic input device of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprising a second end, and the electronic input device further comprising a second tip coupled to the second end of the handle.

10. The electronic input device of claim 9, wherein the second tip is releasably attached to the second end of the handle.

11. An electronic input device for a touch screen comprising:

a handle comprising a first end; and,

a tip, coupled to the first end of the handle, comprising at least two separate conductive flexible means, the conductive flexible means being sufficiently resiliently compliant and flexible for each of the at least two separate conductive flexible means to be able to create a variable physical change pattern when the tip is applied to the touch screen that ranges from a single point to a broad path.

12. The electronic input device of claim 11, wherein the tip further includes structural means.

13. The electronic input device of claim 12, wherein the structural means are conductive.

14. The electronic input device of claim 11, further comprising a ferrule attached to the handle.

15. The electronic input device of claim 11, wherein the tip is detachably coupled to the first end of the handle at an attachment portion.

16. The electronic input device of claim 15, wherein the attachment portion comprises:

17. The electronic input device of claim 11, wherein variable physical change pattern is based on a distance between the at least two separate conductive flexible means with relation to the touch screen.

18. The electronic input device of claim 11, wherein variable physical change pattern is based on an area of contact from the at least two separate conductive flexible means with relation to the touch screen.

19. The electronic input device of claim 11, wherein the handle further comprising a second end, and the electronic input device further comprising a second tip coupled to the second end of the handle.

20. The electronic input device of claim 19, wherein the second tip is releasably attached to the second end of the handle.