Electronic device with stylus

Abstract

An electronic device with a stylus includes a body, a sliding plate, a lifting mechanism, and a stylus. The sliding plate is slidably disposed on the body and can slide between a first position and a second position relative to the body. The lifting mechanism is movably disposed within the body and connected to the sliding plate. The stylus is adapted to be positioned and supported by the lifting mechanism, and is driven by the lifting mechanism. When the stylus is positioned on the lifting mechanism and the sliding plate is in the first position relative to the body, the sliding plate abuts against the stylus, retracting the stylus into the body while a portion of the stylus is exposed outside the body. As the sliding plate slides from the first position to the second position relative to the body, the sliding plate moves away from the stylus, allowing the stylus to be lifted out of the body by the lifting mechanism.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device with a stylus. [Previous Technology]

[0002] With the increasing application of touch screens, existing electronic devices, such as laptops, are also seeing an increase in opportunities for touch input. Generally speaking, laptops equipped with styluses usually provide space and a mechanism for storing and placing the stylus on the side of the main unit or screen. However, with the trend of laptops becoming thinner and smaller, the side of the main unit or screen no longer has enough space to accommodate such a mechanism, and it is even difficult to find space to hold a stylus. Furthermore, for the main unit, in addition to the aforementioned need for thinness and lightness, the sides of the main unit are mostly equipped with related electrical ports or are occupied by hinges and related electrical wiring, making it difficult to find space for placing or removing a stylus.

[0003] Furthermore, the aforementioned mechanism of forming a pen storage slot on the side of the main unit to store the stylus often suffers from insufficient structural strength, causing the stylus to easily fall off the main unit, or excessive structural strength, making it difficult for the user to remove the stylus, thereby affecting the user experience.

[0004] Based on the above, how to provide the necessary storage space and placement mechanism for the stylus in response to the above conditions, while also ensuring a good user experience, has become a topic that relevant technical personnel need to consider. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] The present invention provides an electronic device with a stylus, which can stably store the stylus or allow the stylus to be easily removed by the user by means of a sliding plate moving relative to the body to activate a lifting mechanism.

[0006] The electronic device with a stylus of the present invention includes a body, a sliding plate, a lifting mechanism, and a stylus. The sliding plate is slidably disposed on the body to slide between a first position and a second position relative to the body. The lifting mechanism is movably disposed within the body and linked to the sliding plate. The stylus is adapted to be positioned and supported by the lifting mechanism and is driven by the lifting mechanism. When the stylus is positioned on the lifting mechanism and the sliding plate is in the first position relative to the body, the sliding plate abuts against the stylus, housing the stylus within the body while a portion of the stylus is exposed outside the body. As the sliding plate slides from the first position to the second position relative to the body, the sliding plate moves away from the stylus, causing the stylus to be lifted out of the body by the lifting mechanism.

[0007] Based on the above, the electronic device forms a storage space for the stylus by providing a sliding plate on the body, facilitating easy access and removal. When storing the stylus, the sliding plate acts as a stop structure against the stylus, but a portion of the stylus is still exposed outside the body. Furthermore, the electronic device further includes a lifting mechanism within the body, which is linked to the sliding plate. Therefore, when the sliding plate slides from the first position to the second position, not only is more of the stylus easily exposed, but the lifting mechanism also further lifts the stylus out of the body, facilitating the user's access and removal. Accordingly, the electronic device equipped with a stylus has a convenient storage mechanism due to the above-mentioned structure, which is beneficial to the user's touch experience.

Implementation Method

[0009] Figures 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of the electronic device of the present invention in different states. Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 simultaneously. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100, taking a notebook computer as an example but not limited thereto, includes a body 110, a sliding plate 120, and a stylus 140. The body 110 includes a host 111 and a screen 112 pivotally connected to each other to facilitate mutual pivoting and opening. The sliding plate 120 is slidably disposed on the host 111 of the body 110 to slide between a first position and a second position relative to the host 111 of the body 110. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the sliding plate 120 in the first position relative to the host 111, and Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the sliding plate 120 in the second position relative to the host 111.

[0010] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of the electronic device of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a partial enlarged view of the electronic device of Figure 2. Figure 6 is a partial enlarged view of the electronic device of Figure 3. Please refer to Figures 4 to 6 simultaneously and compare with any of Figures 1 to 3 to understand the opening and closing of the body 110 and the position of the sliding plate 120 relative to the main unit 111. In this embodiment, the stylus 140 is adapted to be stored at the front edge of the body 110 (corresponding to the part of the body 110 facing the direct user) to facilitate the user's access. Furthermore, the sliding plate 120 provided on the main unit 111 can prevent the stylus 140 from being removed from the main unit 111 when it is in a stored state (as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, with the sliding plate 120 in the first position). In the pick-up and put-down state (as shown in Figures 3 and 6, with the sliding plate 120 in the second position), the stylus 140 can be removed from the main unit 110 by the sliding plate 120, thus facilitating the user's pick-up and put-down actions.

[0011] The following describes the storage and retrieval mechanism of the stylus 140 in this embodiment. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device in Figure 2. Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device in Figure 3. Please refer to Figures 7 and 8 simultaneously and compare with Figures 5 or 6. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 also includes a lifting mechanism 130, which is movably disposed within the main body 111 of the body 110 and linked to the sliding plate 120. The stylus 140 is adapted to be positioned and supported by the lifting mechanism 130, and is driven by the lifting mechanism 130.

[0012] In detail, the host 111 of this embodiment also includes a keyboard 111a and a sliding plate 120, which is the palm rest area of ​​the host 111. The lifting mechanism 130 is disposed at one end of the host 111 (the aforementioned front edge facing the user) and away from the keyboard 111a. The sliding plate 120 also includes a touchpad module 121 for receiving writing input from the stylus 140 and touch input from the user. The lifting mechanism 130 includes a lever 131, which is movably disposed within the host 111 of the body 110. Here, the lever 131 is pivotally connected to the internal structure of the host 111 via a fulcrum (not shown). The sliding plate 120 has a drive wheel 122 extending into the body 110 (the host 111). The opposite ends of the lever 131 are a support portion 131a and a drive portion 131b, respectively. The drive portion 131b is located on the movement path of the drive wheel 122.

[0013] Accordingly, when the sliding plate 120 is in the first position relative to the main body 110 (the host 111), the lifting mechanism 130 is in the third position, as shown in FIG7. The lever 131 is in a state of lower left (with the support 131a below) and upper right (with the drive 131b above). At this time, if the stylus 140 has been taken in and positioned on the support 131a, the sliding plate 120 abuts against the top surface S3 of the stylus 140, causing the rear side S2 of the stylus to be submerged in the receiving space 111c of the host 111. At this time, the bottom surface S4 of the stylus rests on the support 131a. Therefore, as shown in FIG7, the stylus 140 is only exposed outside the host 111 of the main body 110 on its front side S1. With this design, the sliding plate 120 in the first position can effectively cover the top surface S3 as a stop structure to prevent the stylus 140 from detaching from the host 111.

[0014] As the sliding plate 120 slides relative to the main body 110 (the host 111) from the first position in FIG7 to the second position in FIG8, the lifting mechanism 130 is driven by the sliding plate 120. That is, the drive wheel 122 abuts against the drive part 131b of the lever 131 as the sliding plate 120 slides, thereby driving the lever 131 to change from the third position to the fourth position, that is, making the lever 131 present a state of upper left (support part 131a on top) and lower right (drive part 131b on the bottom). At this time, the sliding plate 120 moves away from the stylus 140, and the stylus 140 is lifted out of the host 111 of the main body 110 by the lever 131 of the lifting mechanism 130.

[0015] On the other hand, the lifting mechanism 130 also includes a first magnet 132 and a second magnet 133, which are respectively disposed at the lever 131 near the support portion 131a and inside the main body 111 of the body 110. When the lifting mechanism 130 is in the fourth position, as shown in FIG8, the first magnet 132 and the second magnet 133 attract each other to maintain the lever 131 of the lifting mechanism 130 in the fourth position. Furthermore, as the sliding plate 120 remains in the second position, the drive wheel 122 of this embodiment is constantly abutted against the drive portion 131b, which also maintains the lever 131 of the lifting mechanism 130 in the fourth position. In another embodiment not shown, the lever 131 can also be used to reset the lever 131 from FIG8 to the state of FIG7 by providing a torsion spring at its fulcrum.

[0016] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the components of the electronic device in Figure 3 separated. Figure 10 shows the stylus of Figure 9 from another perspective. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the electrical relationship of the components of the electronic device of the present invention. Referring simultaneously to Figures 9 to 11, as shown in Figure 7 (or Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5), the electronic device 100 can further provide corresponding functions in conjunction with the stylus 140 in its stored state. In this embodiment, the host 111 includes a control module CM, such as the motherboard of a notebook computer and its electronic components, which are electrically connected to the display module 112b of the screen 112 and the aforementioned keyboard 111a and touchpad module 121, respectively. Furthermore, the stylus 140 has an indicative operation interface 141 on its front side S1. The host 111 also includes a plurality of contacts 111b, while the stylus 140 has a plurality of contacts 142 on its rear side S2. As shown in Figure 9, when the stylus 140 is stored inside the host 111, contact 111b can pass through multiple openings 131c of the holder 131a and correspondingly abut against contact 142 of the stylus 140 supported on the holder 131a, so that the stylus 140 can be electrically connected to the control module CM through the mating of contact 111b and contact 142.

[0017] In this way, the stylus 140 in its retracted state can provide the user with additional control options. First, as shown in FIG9 or the aforementioned FIG4, 5, and 7, the stylus 140 has an indicator operation interface 141 located on the front side S1. More specifically, as shown in FIG4 or FIG9, the indicator operation interface 141 in this embodiment includes a microphone 141a, a touch module 141b, and an indicator light 141c. The microphone 141a is used to receive voice input, the touch module 141b is used to receive the user's touch input, and the indicator light 141c can emit an indicator light based on the aforementioned voice input and touch input. In the retracted state, the stylus 140 is only exposed outside the body 110 through the indicator operation interface 141, so the user can control the electronic device 100 through the indicator operation interface 141. Here, the user may first activate the smart assistant of the electronic device 100 using the microphone 141a or the touch module 141b, and then perform other input actions.

[0018] For example, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3, when the screen 112 is closed to the host 111, in this embodiment, only the back of the screen 112 is exposed. The indicator operation interface 141 of the stylus 140 is exposed between the screen 112 and the host 111. In this embodiment, the screen 112 also has an indicator panel 112a on its back, which is electrically connected to the control module CM (as shown in Figure 11). Therefore, when the body 110 of the electronic device 100 is closed, the user can input information to the electronic device 100 through the aforementioned microphone 141a and touch module 141b (i.e., the aforementioned voice input, touch input, or both), thereby allowing the indicator panel 112a to issue a corresponding visual graphical interface based on the voice input or touch input received from the indicator operation interface 141.

[0019] Next, when the screen 112 is unfolded relative to the host 111 as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the stylus 140 is still in a retracted state. However, it is expected that the display surface of the screen 112 is now facing the user. Therefore, the user can control the electronic device 100 through the instruction interface 141 and the display module 112b (as shown in Figure 11) will output a corresponding visual graphical interface from the display surface based on the voice input or touch input received from the instruction interface 141.

[0020] Based on the above, by combining the stylus 140 with related components in its stored state, the stylus 140 of this embodiment can be converted into an additional interface for the user to control the electronic device 100 when it is stored, thereby providing an additional control experience.

[0021] Figure 12 is a partial schematic diagram of the electronic device of Figure 3. Referring to Figure 12, it should also be mentioned in this embodiment that the electronic device 100 further includes a third magnet 151 and a fourth magnet 152, respectively disposed on the main body 111 and the sliding plate 120 of the body 110. The fourth magnet 152 slides relative to the main body 111 with the sliding plate 120, while the third magnet 151 is positioned beside the moving path of the fourth magnet 152. Accordingly, the third magnet 151 and the fourth magnet 152 attract each other when the sliding plate 120 is in the first position, so that the sliding plate 120 is maintained in the first position. It is also anticipated that when the sliding plate 120 slides to the second position as shown in Figure 3 or Figure 6, another third magnet can be provided at the corresponding position on the main body 111 to attract the fourth magnet 152, so that the sliding plate 120 can be maintained in the second position.

[0022] In response to the sliding mechanism of the sliding plate 120, this embodiment can also provide other corresponding components. Figures 13A and 13B are partial schematic diagrams of electronic devices according to different embodiments of the present invention. A rectangular coordinate system XYZ is also provided for component description. Please refer to Figure 13A first. In this embodiment, the sliding plate 120 is movably coupled to the guide rib 111d of the host 111 along the Y-axis by its guide groove 123. At the same time, the electronic device 100 also includes an elastic element 153, which is disposed in the guide groove 123 and abuts against the guide rib 111d and the sliding plate 120. When the sliding plate 120 is in the first position shown in the upper figure, the elastic element 153 does not deform, but when the sliding plate 120 slides to the second position, as shown in the lower figure, the elastic element 153 undergoes (compression) deformation. In this way, when the user releases the force applied to drive the sliding plate 120, the elastic force of the elastic element 153 can drive the sliding plate 120 back to the first position.

[0023] Referring also to Figure 13B, unlike Figure 13A, in this embodiment, the sliding plate 120 is movably coupled to the guide groove 111e of the main unit 111 along the Y-axis by its guide rib 124, and the elastic member 154 is disposed in the guide groove 111e and abuts against the guide rib 124 and the main unit 111. When the sliding plate 120 is in the first position shown in the upper figure, the elastic member 154 does not deform, but when the sliding plate 120 slides to the second position, as shown in the lower figure, the elastic member 154 undergoes (stretching) deformation. In this way, when the user releases the force applied to drive the sliding plate 120, the elastic member 154 can drive the sliding plate 120 to return to the first position.

[0024] It should also be mentioned that the related sliding structures arranged in four rows along the X-axis in Figures 13A and 13B are only examples in this embodiment. Their number and position are not limited here. At the same time, the labels in the figures are marked with the leftmost sliding structure as an example.

[0025] In summary, in the above embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device forms a storage space for the stylus by providing a sliding plate on the body, which facilitates the user's picking up and putting down of the stylus. When the stylus is stored, the sliding plate abuts against the stylus as a stop structure, but a portion of the stylus is still exposed outside the body. Furthermore, the electronic device further provides a lifting mechanism inside the body, which is linked to the sliding plate. Therefore, when the sliding plate slides from the first position to the second position, in addition to exposing more of the stylus, the lifting mechanism further lifts the stylus out of the body, which is beneficial for the user's picking up and putting down of the stylus.

[0026] Furthermore, the stylus is further provided with an indicator operation interface, which is used to complement the feature that only the indicator operation interface is exposed outside the device when the stylus is stored, so that the user can further operate the electronic device through the indicator operation interface when the stylus is stored. The display mode varies depending on whether the screen is closed to the host, for example, the indicator panel on the back of the screen or the display module (display surface) on the front of the screen is used as a tool to issue a visual graphical interface.

[0027] Based on the above, electronic devices equipped with styluses can have convenient storage mechanisms and additional control interfaces due to the aforementioned mechanism, which significantly improves the user's operating experience of electronic devices. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0008] Figures 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of the electronic device of the present invention in different states. Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of the electronic device of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a partial enlarged view of the electronic device of Figure 2. Figure 6 is a partial enlarged view of the electronic device of Figure 3. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of Figure 2. Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of Figure 3. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the components of the electronic device of Figure 3 separated. Figure 10 shows the stylus of Figure 9 from another perspective. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the electrical relationship of the components of the electronic device of the present invention. Figure 12 is a partial schematic diagram of the electronic device of Figure 3. Figures 13A and 13B are partial schematic diagrams of the electronic device of different embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device with a stylus, comprising: One organism; A sliding plate is slidably disposed on the body to slide between a first position and a second position relative to the body; a lifting mechanism is movably disposed within the body and connected to the sliding plate; and a stylus is adapted to be positioned and supported by the lifting mechanism and driven by the lifting mechanism. When the stylus is positioned on the lifting mechanism and the sliding plate is in the first position relative to the body, the sliding plate abuts against the stylus, housing the stylus within the body while a portion of the stylus is exposed outside the body. As the sliding plate slides from the first position to the second position relative to the body, the sliding plate moves away from the stylus, causing the stylus to be lifted out of the body by the lifting mechanism.

2. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stylus body includes a front side and a rear side opposite to each other, the front side having an indicative operating interface that is exposed outside the device body when the stylus is housed in the device body.

3. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body includes a host and a screen pivotally connected to each other, the host includes a control module, the slider is disposed on the host, the stylus is housed within the host, and the indicative operating interface is exposed outside the host.

4. The electronic device with a stylus as described in claim 3, wherein the main unit further includes a keyboard and the slide plate is a palm rest area of ​​the main unit, the lifting mechanism is disposed at one end of the main unit away from the keyboard, and the indicative operation interface is exposed between the main unit and the screen when the stylus is stored in the main unit and the screen is closed on the main unit.

5. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indicative operation interface includes: One microphone for receiving voice input; And a touch module for receiving touch input from a user.

6. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the indicative operating interface further includes an indicator light that emits indicative light based on the voice input and the touch input.

7. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the back of the screen further includes an indicator panel electrically connected to the control module, wherein when the stylus is housed in the host and the screen is closed to the host, the indicator panel causes the indicator panel to display a visual graphical interface based on the voice input or the touch input received from the indicator interface.

8. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slider further includes a touchpad module for receiving writing input from the stylus and touch input from a user.

9. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the main unit further includes a plurality of contacts one, and a plurality of contacts two are disposed on the rear side of the stylus, wherein the contacts one and the contacts two are electrically connected when the stylus is housed in the device body.

10. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 9, wherein when the sliding plate is in the first position relative to the body, the lifting mechanism is in a third position, and when the sliding plate slides from the first position to the second position relative to the body, the lifting mechanism is driven by the sliding plate to change from the third position to a fourth position.

11. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lifting mechanism includes a lever movably disposed within the body, the sliding plate has a drive wheel extending into the body, the opposite ends of the lever being a support portion and a drive portion, the drive portion being on the movement path of the drive wheel, and when the stylus is retracted into the body, the contacts 1 pass through a plurality of openings in the support portion and correspondingly abut against the contacts 2 of the stylus carried on the support portion.

12. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stylus body further includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to each other, the top surface and the bottom surface being located between the front side surface and the rear side surface, wherein when the stylus is housed in the body, the bottom surface rests against the support portion, the rear side surface is recessed into the body, and the sliding plate shields the top surface and stops the stylus.

13. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lifting mechanism further includes a magnet one and a magnet two, respectively disposed on the lever near the support and the body, wherein when the lifting mechanism is in the fourth position, the magnet one and the magnet two attract each other to maintain the lifting mechanism in the fourth position.

14. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the sliding plate slides relative to the body to the second position, the drive wheel abuts against the drive unit to maintain the lifting mechanism in the fourth position.

15. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet three and at least one magnet four disposed on the body and the slide plate respectively, wherein the magnet three and the magnet four attract each other when the slide plate is in the first position, so that the slide plate is maintained in the first position.

16. The electronic device with a stylus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one elastic member connected between the sliding plate and the body, the elastic member being capable of constantly driving the sliding plate to move relative to the body to the first position.

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