Apple patent apps describe ‘smart’ pens for notetaking and long-distance doodling

Apple’s knack for filing patent applications has struck again, offering a couple of digital pens that may become a competitive one-up for HTC’s Scribe pen . Both filed apps revealed by the USPTO involve styli for iOS displays, but when you’re imagining a mystical item that helps (or hinders) your typing, here’s another ball of wax. The primary stylus is appropriately called “stylus for touch sensitive devices” and incorporates a rechargeable battery which may be stored and charged by placing it in a dock embedded directly within the device. Curiously, the stylus is heated for “more consistent interaction between the capacitive-sensors within the computer and the stylus,” which sounds mighty nice on a chilly day. By allowing the user to simply write real notes and draw pictures, this patent seems to be even more than simply an additional approach to inputting text.

Next up is the “communicating stylus,” a digital pen equipped with accelerometers and wireless transmitters that send position data. This is able to enable it for use for an iOS device with none physical contact or other accessories. In theory, you are able to take the stylus (shown after the break) around the room and still jot down notes or doodle in your iPad, whether it’s out of sight. Finally, ” the best pointing device on the earth ” — our fingers — gets a raffle to rest.

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This post is tagged: capacitive sensors, consistent interaction, patent applications, pointing device, rechargeable battery, sensitive devices, wireless transmitters