Self-powered input devices for circuit control devices

Abstract

A powered touch screen input device is perpetually self-powered and free of any mechanical connection to the touch screen itself. The input device includes at least one photovoltaic cell supported thereon and disposed to receive light from the display screen associated with the touch screen device. The photovoltaic cell is connected to the electronic signaling circuit disposed within the input device. The input device is adapted to be wielded by the user of the touch screen and to be placed in contact or close spacing to the touch screen device. Position and movement of the input sensor are correlated by a software driven computer system with the images generated on the display screen associated with the touch screen system. At the same time, the photovoltaic cell(s) of the input device are connected to power the onboard signaling circuit of the input device, so that all power necessary for the input device is delivered whenever the device is situated proximate to the display screen, without resort to batteries, cables, or tethers of any kind. The input device comprises a stylus having a proximal tip connected to the electronic signaling circuit to generate or receive actinic radiation and interact with the touch screen device. A bezel extends about the barrel to enclose the photovoltaic cells and direct light from the display screen to the cells. Alternatively, RF energy may be transmitted to an antenna in the input device and rectified to drive the electronic signaling circuit.

1 . In a powered input device for a touch screen system and display screen that includes an electronic signaling circuit in the input device, the improvement comprising: 
 at least one photovoltaic cell supported by said powered input device;    said at least one photovoltaic cell connected to power said electronic signaling circuit;    said input device being free of any mechanical connection to said touch screen system;    said at least one photovoltaic cell being disposed to receive light from said display screen when said input device is used with said touch screen system, whereby said input device is powered at least in part by the light emitted by said display screen.    
     
     
         2 . The improved powered input device of  claim 1 , wherein said input device is free of any electrical wire connection to said touch screen system.  
     
     
         3 . The improved powered input device of  claim 1 , wherein said input device includes a generally transparent bezel, and said at least one photovoltaic cell is disposed within said bezel.  
     
     
         4 . The improved powered input device of  claim 3 , further including a barrel adapted for manual grasping, said bezel extending annularly about a portion of said barrel.  
     
     
         5 . The improved powered input device of  claim 4 , further including a proximal tip joined to said bezel and to said barrel.  
     
     
         6 . The improved powered input device of  claim 5 , wherein said proximal tip comprises an output element for said electronic signaling circuit.  
     
     
         7 . The improved powered input device of  claim 5 , wherein said bezel is oriented to direct light from said display screen toward said at least one photovoltaic cell whenever said proximal tip is placed in close proximity to or touching said touch screen system.  
     
     
         8 . The improved powered input device of  claim 1 , further including means for storing electrical energy generated by said at least one photovoltaic cell.  
     
     
         9 . The improved powered input device of  claim 8 , wherein said input device is free of any electrical connection to said touch screen system.  
     
     
         10 . The improved powered input device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one photovoltaic cell generates sufficient voltage and current from the average light received from said display screen, when said input device is in use with said touch screen system, to comprise the sole power source of said electronic signaling circuit.