US20080129766A1 - Carrier for a digital pen - Google Patents

Abstract

A carrier for a digital pen includes a main case with an internal channel to closely receive and align the digital pen with an electronic package contained within the main case. In addition, the carrier includes an upper lid rotationally coupled to the main case. In one embodiment, the upper lid may be both partially and fully opened with a dual-action latch mechanism. In addition, the carrier may include a lower lid that may be opened to provide access to an electronic package. In one embodiment, an extendable serial communication device may be extended from the electronic package when the lower lid is open. Further, the carrier is configured to sufficiently protect the digital pen from harsh environmental conditions and even from harsh user-induced conditions, such as drops onto a hard surface, exposure of the carrier to rain, dust, and sand particulate, brief water submersion, and even temperature extremes.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM
• This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/751,544 filed on May 21, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/868,717 filed on Dec. 5, 2006, contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to a carrier or carrying case for a digital pen, and more specifically to a rugged and durable carrier or carrying case for a digital pen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Conventional digital pens include a number of fragile and expensive components. As the use of conventional digital pens has become more common, they have been utilized in different and often harsh environments. Various types of conventional digital pens include, but are not limited to, the MAXELL® digital pen, the NOKIA® digital pen, the LEAPFROG FLYFUSION® digital pen and the LOGITECH® digital pen.
• One drawback of the conventional digital pen is they are primarily designed for the office and business environments and generally lack the ruggedness and toughness to be transported through or into various harsh environments, such as a military battlefield, a construction zone, outdoor recreation, plant or factory lines, or other types of harsh environments. Although the conventional digital pen may function sufficiently well in the harsh environment, it is often the case that the conventional digital pen becomes damaged while it is in transit, whether it be attached to a user of the pen or placed in a backpack, for example. The harshness of a particular environment may be such that it may cause structural damage to the conventional pen, cause thermal damage, or may cause some other type of damage that would render the conventional digital pen less than fully functional.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a carrier, carrying case, package or similar device for holding and/or transporting a digital pen to sufficiently protect it from harsh environmental conditions and even from harsh user-induced conditions. One aspect of the invention is to provide a rugged digital pen carrier operable to transport the digital pen through and within multiple harsh environments while enabling the digital pen and electronics within the carrier to remain fully functional in the event it drops onto a hard surface, exposure of the carrier to rain, dust, and sand particulates, brief water submersion, and even temperature extremes.
• In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a carrier for a digital pen includes a main case for receiving the digital pen, the main case having a lower body portion with an internal channel for receiving the digital pen, the internal channel contoured to frictionally engage and substantially restrain the digital pen after insertion of the digital pen into the carrier; an upper lid rotationally and biasly coupled to the main case about a pivot axis, the upper lid having a contoured engagement surface configured to engage a complementary engagement surface of the main case; and an electronic package having a plurality of electrical contacts for engaging complementary electrical contacts on the digital pen, the electronic package proximate the internal channel of the main case.
• In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a carrier for a digital pen includes a main case for receiving the digital pen; an upper lid rotationally and biasly coupled to the main case about a pivot axle, the upper lid having a contoured engagement surface configured to engage a complementary engagement surface of the main case; and a latch mechanism having a lifting portion rotationally coupled to a latching portion, the latching portion rotationally coupled to the upper lid, the lifting portion operable to allow the upper lid to partially rotate away from the main case, the latching portion releasable from the first main case to allow the upper lid to fully rotate away from the main case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a carrier for a digital pen according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is side elevational view of the carrier ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a dual-action latch according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the dual-action latch ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of the carrier ofFIG. 1 with the dual-action latch ofFIG. 3 oriented in a partially open position;
• FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of the carrier ofFIG. 1 with the dual-action latch ofFIG. 3 oriented in a partially open position;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the carrier ofFIG. 1 with the dual-action latch ofFIG. 3 fully released from a main case of the carrier;
• FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the carrier ofFIG. 1 showing a lower dual-action latch for latching a lower lid to a bottom portion of the carrier;
• FIG. 9 a top, left isometric view of a carrier for a digital pen according to another embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carrier ofFIG. 9 with receptacles to receive replaceable ink cartridges;
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the carrier ofFIG. 9 showing an extendable serial communications device extending from an electronic package located in the carrier; and
• FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier ofFIG. 9 showing contoured surfaces arranged to closely receive the digital pen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• As will be described in further detail below, at least one embodiment of the invention comprises a rugged and durable carrier, carrying case, package or similarly named device for receiving and holding a digital pen. The structural arrangement of the carrier advantageously provides protection for the digital pen inserted within and preferably protects the digital pen during transportation within and through harsh environmental conditions and during harsh user-induced conditions. By way of example, the carrier protects the digital pen and the delicate electronics and/or opto-electronics within the digital pen even if the carrier happens to be dropped onto a hard surface, exposed to rain, dust, or sand particulate, submersed in water or possibly other types of fluids, and exposed to temperature extremes. In one embodiment, the carrier includes upper and lower lids or caps that may be fail-safe latched to a main body of the carrier. In short, the carrier provides operational and non-operational protections from harsh environments for the digital pen and may also provide a power interface and a communication interface between the digital pen and other media via wireless or non-wireless means.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show acarrier100 for receiving a digital pen (not shown) having amain case102, which includes an uppermain case portion104 and a lowermain case portion106 according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention. In addition, thecarrier100 includes an upper lid orcap108 that may be opened and closed relative to themain case102 to allow insertion and removal of the digital pen from themain case102. The coupling (e.g., latching) of thelid108 relative to themain case102 is described in more detail below.
• In one embodiment, theupper lid108 is rotationally coupled to themain case102 with abiasing member110, which may take the form of a torsional spring. By way of example, thetorsional spring110 is positioned on apivot axle112 that extends throughribs114,116 of theupper lid108 andmain case102, respectively. Thepivot axle112 is oriented along acommon pivot axis118. A spring constant of thetorsional spring110 may advantageously permit theupper lid108 to be opened and closed relatively quietly.
• A second cap orlid118 is rotationally coupled to the lowermain case portion106 with a biasing member (not shown, but substantially similar to thebiasing member110 used for the upper lid108) arranged on apivot axle122. One purpose of thelower lid118 is to provide access to a serial port, such as a USB port, located within the lowermain case portion106. In the illustrated embodiment, both the first andlower lids108,118 may be latched to themain case102 using dual-action latch mechanisms124,126, respectively representing the upper and lower latch mechanisms.
• Optionally, upper andlower clip members128,130 may be coupled to themain case102. The upper andlower clip members128,130 may be used to secure thecarrier100 to a jacket, uniform, belt, or some other attire. In addition, theclip members128,130 may also be used to tie down or otherwise secure thecarrier100 to other objects, for example a backpack, parachute harness, utility belt, vehicle, etc.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 shows theupper latch mechanisms124 according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention. Thelower latch mechanism126 may be the same size or a different size from theupper latch mechanism124, but otherwise is structurally and operationally identical and thus description of theupper latch mechanism124 will sufficiently describe bothlatch mechanisms124,126.
• Theupper latch mechanism124 includes a maincase engagement lug132 that is rotationally coupled with afirst pivot axle134 to a rib member136 (FIG. 5) extending from theupper lid108. Alifting portion138 includes a contoured, recessedportion140 sized to receive at least a portion of a finger or tool (not shown). When in the closed portion, theupper latch mechanism124 may be sufficiently recessed within a pocket142 (FIG. 1) formed in themain case102. Locating thelifting portion138 in thepocket142 helps to insure that thelatch mechanism124 will not be opened accidentally, for example if it were to be snagged by a branch or some other object. Thelatch mechanism124 further includes alatching portion144 rotationally coupled to thelifting portion138 with asecond pivot axle146. Thelatching portion144 includes anengagement portion148, which may take the form of ahook148 configured to engage a lip150 (FIG. 7) extending from themain case102.
• In operation, thelatch mechanism124 functions as a dual-action latch in that a finger or tool may be inserted into the recessedportion140 to apply an amount of upward force on thelifting portion138. The upward force should be sufficient to overcome an amount of residual tension induced between thehook148 and thelug132 coupled to themain case102. Hence, in the fully closed position, thelatch mechanism124 is preferably configured to have at least some residual tension to maintain thelatch mechanism124 in the closed position under most situations.
• FIGS. 5-7 show the operation of thelatch mechanism124 and preferably shows thelatch mechanism124 in a partially open position (FIGS. 5 and 6) and in a fully open position (FIG. 7). InFIGS. 5 and 6, thelifting portion138 has been raised, which releases the residual tension in thelatch mechanism124, while thehook148 of thelatching portion144 remains engaged with thelip150main case102. As best shown inFIG. 6, thelatch mechanism124 in the partially open position allows theupper lid108 to slightly move away from the uppermain case portion104, but still maintains theupper lid108 and themain case102 in engagement via thehook148 and lip150 (FIG. 7). By applying slightly inward pressure on theupper lid108 toward themain case102 is sufficient to release thehook148 from thelip150. Once theupper lid108 is released, thetorsional spring110 rotates theupper lid108 away from the uppermain case portion104. As shown inFIG. 7, thehook148 has been released from thelip150 and theupper lid108 is in the process of rotating away from the uppermain case portion104.
• FIG. 8 shows thelower lid118 being unlatched from the lowermain case portion106. As noted above, the configuration and operation of thelower latch mechanism126 is substantially similar to theupper latch mechanism124. For example, thelower latch mechanism126 includes a liftingportion152 rotationally coupled to themain case102 with alug154 and apivot axle156. A latchingportion158 is rotationally coupled to the liftingportion152 throughpivot axle160. An engagement member (not shown), which may take the form of a hook engages thelower lid118. Slightly pressing (i.e., pushing thelower lid118 toward the main case102) on thelower lid118 after the liftingportion152 has been released completely releases thelower latch mechanism126 from thelower lid118 and permits thelower lid118 to be fully opened.
• Referring back toFIGS. 6 and 7, a contouredengagement surface162 of theupper lid108 is configured to engageably seal with respect to a complementary contouredengagement surface164 of the uppermain case portion104. The contoured engagement surfaces162,164 cooperate with theupper latch mechanism124 to provide a robust and durable engagement between theupper lid108 and the uppermain case portion104. As best shown inFIG. 7, the contouredengagement surface162 of theupper lid108 may be recessed to receive a protrudingportion166 of the complementary contouredengagement surface164. Alternatively, the complementary contouredengagement surface164 may be recessed to receive a protruding portion (not shown) extending from the contouredengagement surface162 of theupper lid108. Further, aseal168 may be located in the recessed portion of the contouredengagement surface162 such that when theupper lid108 is latched to themain case104, the latching process compresses theseal168 to provide a robust and durable seal between theupper lid108 and the uppermain case portion104. And, the compression of theseal168 further operates to induce the residual force in theupper latch mechanism124, as described above. Although the contoured engagement surfaces162,162 may be oriented in a parallel and/or perpendicular orientation with respect to the main case body, it has been found that providing configuring of thesurfaces162,164 in the illustrated non-parallel and non-perpendicular orientation may advantageously improve the sealing capacity between theupper lid108 and the uppermain case portion104. By way of example, after theupper latch mechanism124 has been fully latched, thesurfaces162,164, theseal168 and theupper latch mechanism124 may cooperate to seal thecarrier100 in space up to about 40,000 feet and submerged down to about five meters below sea level.
• FIG. 9 shows acarrier200 for receiving a digital pen (not shown) having amain case202, which includes an uppermain case portion204 and a lowermain case portion206 according to another illustrated embodiment of the invention. In addition, thecarrier200 includes an upper lid orcap208 that may be opened and closed relative to themain case202 to allow insertion and removal of the digital pen from themain case202. Likewise, thecarrier100 includes a lower lid orcap210 that permits access to electrical and other components within the lowermain case portion206. In the illustrated embodiment and the figures that follow, similar features and aspects between thecarrier100 and thecarrier200 will not be described in detail.
• Thecarrier200 includes anupper latch mechanism212 and alower latch mechanism214, which may take the form of single-action latch mechanisms. Theupper latch mechanism212 latches theupper lid208 to the uppermain case portion204 and thelower latch mechanism214 latches thelower lid210 to the lowermain case portion206. Thelatch mechanism212,214 are cantilevered and hingedly attached with suitable engagement portions for latching. Thecarrier200 further includes apressure port216, which may be coupled to a pressure sensor (not shown) for controlling a pressure within thecarrier200.
• FIG. 10 shows thecarrier200 with the upper andlower lids208,210 in their fully open positions to display adigital pen218 received by themain case202. Thedigital pen218 may be frictionally engaged and guided into the main case as will be explained in more detail below. Themain case102 may includereceptacles220 sized to receivereplacement ink cartridges222 for the digital pen. In the illustrated embodiment, themain case102 includes fourreceptacles220, but the number of receptacles may vary depending on a variety of reasons. Thereplacement ink cartridges222 may take the form of different color ink cartridges, different writing tips, or even non-ink stylus devices.
• FIG. 11 shows thecarrier200 having an extendableserial port224 extending from anelectronics package226 located in the lowermain case portion206. Theelectronics package226 may include circuitry to receive, transfer, and/or communicate raw or decoded camera data and other digital pen data. Theelectronics package226 may further include a communications interface having protocol definitions for transferring data and for resetting and synchronizing the digital pen218 (FIG. 10). In one embodiment, theelectronics package226 is removable and replaceable by removing afastener228. Theserial port224 may be configured to receive and transfer data from the digital pen218 (FIG. 10) in excess of 450 kilobytes per second (kbps) and provide a bi-directional flow for master/slave control the digital pen218 (FIG. 10). Further, theserial port224 may operate as a charging device to provide power to and thus charge the digital pen218 (FIG. 10). Theelectronics package226 may further include a battery, such as, but not be limited alkaline or lithium batteries. By way of example, theelectronics package226 may include a microprocessor to control one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) to indicate a charging status of thedigital pen218, provide illumination for writing and/or reading in darkened situations, provide signals indicating other operational functions of thedigital pen218 andcarrier200. The LEDs may be located on thelower lid210. The microprocessor may be configured to run a variety of applications and perform a variety of control functions, such as, but not limited to running a RTOS expandable to a Tiny Linux or a Linux platform. In addition, theelectronics package226 may include a memory storage device.
• For charging purposes, atemperature sensor227 may be in signal communication with the microprocessor to determine whether the temperature within thecarrier200 is sufficient to permit charging of thedigital pen218. In one embodiment and for warranty purposes, thecarrier200 may include atemperature strip229 to record a temperature of theelectronic package226 in the event of an abnormal temperature condition.
• FIG. 12 shows thedigital pen218 received in themain case202 of thecarrier200 and thelids208,210 in their closed positions. Themain case202 includes aninternal channel230 for receiving thedigital pen218. In one embodiment, theinternal channel230 includes asurface232 for self-aligning, frictionally engaging, and retaining thedigital pen218 with respect to themain case202. By way of example, a contour and size of thesurface232 permits thedigital pen218 to be closely received into themain case202. An amount of friction between thedigital pen218 and thesurface232 substantially retains thedigital pen218 within themain case202, even when theupper lid208 is open. Further, thesurface232 aligns thedigital pen218 such that it contacts electrical contact pins234 within themain case202. In one embodiment, thepins234 take the form of pogo pins to provide a reliable and robust connection with a substantially long life cycle.
• While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the features, aspects, and functions of the described embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims (20)

1. A carrier for a digital pen, the carrier comprising:

a main case for receiving the digital pen, the main case having a lower body portion with an internal channel for receiving the digital pen, the internal channel contoured to frictionally engage and substantially restrain the digital pen after insertion of the digital pen into the carrier;

an upper lid rotationally and biasly coupled to the main case about a pivot axis, the upper lid having a contoured engagement surface configured to engage a complementary engagement surface of the main case; and

an electronic package having a plurality of electrical contacts for engaging complementary electrical contacts on the digital pen, the electronic package located proximate the internal channel within the main case.

2. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the complementary engagement surface of the main case includes a raised rib and the contoured engagement surface of the upper lid includes a recessed channel, wherein the raised rib is sized to be closely received in the recessed channel.

3. The carrier ofclaim 2, further comprising:

a seal received in the recessed channel of the upper lid, the seal compressible by the raised rib when the upper lid is latched to the main case.

4. The carrier ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a latch mechanism for maintaining the upper lid in a closed position relative to the main case.

5. The carrier ofclaim 4, wherein the latch mechanism includes a dual-action latch mechanism having a lifting portion rotationally coupled to a latching portion, which is rotationally coupled to the upper lid.

6. The carrier ofclaim 5, wherein the upper lid includes a recessed portion for receiving the lifting portion of the latch mechanism.

7. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the upper lid is rotationally and biasly coupled to the main case with a torsional spring.

8. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are in electrical communication with a serial communication device.

9. The carrier ofclaim 8, wherein the plurality of electronic package provides bi-directional communication between the digital pen and the serial communication device.

10. The carrier ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a lower lid located on a distal end of the main case relative to the upper lid.

11. The carrier ofclaim 8, wherein the lower lid includes an open position to expose the serial communication device and a latched position to seal with lower lid with the main case.

12. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts include pogo pins located within the internal channel of the main case.

13. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the contour of the internal channel is configured to closely and frictionally receive the digital pin and align the digital pen with the electrical contacts of the electronic package.

14. A carrier for a digital pen comprising:

a main case for receiving the digital pen;

an upper lid rotationally and biasly coupled to the main case about a pivot axle, the upper lid having a contoured engagement surface configured to engage a complementary engagement surface of the main case; and

a latch mechanism having a lifting portion rotationally coupled to a latching portion, the latching portion rotationally coupled to the upper lid, the lifting portion operable to allow the upper lid to partially rotate away from the main case, the latching portion releasable from the first main case to allow the upper lid to fully rotate away from the main case.

15. The carrier ofclaim 14, wherein the main case includes a lower body portion with an internal channel for receiving the digital pen.

16. The carrier ofclaim 15, wherein the internal channel is contoured to frictionally engage and substantially restrain the digital pen after insertion of the digital pen into the carrier.

17. The carrier ofclaim 16, wherein the contour of the internal channel is configured to closely and frictionally receive the digital pin and align the digital pen with the electrical contacts of an electronic package located within the main case.

18. The carrier ofclaim 14, wherein the upper lid is rotationally and biasly coupled to the main case with a torsional spring positioned on the pivot axle.

19. The carrier ofclaim 14, further comprising:

a lower lid located on a distal end of the main case relative to the upper lid.

20. The carrier ofclaim 14, further comprising:

an electronic package having a plurality of electrical contacts for engaging complementary electrical contacts on the digital pen, the electronic package located proximate the internal channel of the main case.

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