Peripheral device with acoustic resonator

By integrating an acoustic resonator into the peripheral input device to generate an acoustic signal, and combining this with the acoustic transducer detection of the electronic device, the problem of inaccurate positioning of the peripheral input device is solved, and a high-efficiency, low-power positioning method is achieved.

CN116149494BActive Publication Date: 2026-01-06APPLE INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202211449123.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-11-15
Filing Date
2022-11-18
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Estimated Expiration
2042-11-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing peripheral input devices, such as styluses, are prone to being misplaced during use, making accurate positioning difficult, and there is a lack of effective positioning technology.

Method used

An acoustic resonator is integrated into the peripheral input device. By generating an acoustic signal with a specific frequency and amplitude, the position of the device is detected by the acoustic transducer of the electronic device. The positioning of the peripheral input device is achieved by combining the position request with the phase and amplitude comparison of the target detector.

Benefits of technology

It improves the positioning accuracy and detectability of peripheral input devices, reduces reliance on active speakers, simplifies the positioning process, and reduces power consumption.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This disclosure relates to peripheral devices with acoustic resonators. An acoustic resonator integrated within a housing structure of a stylus makes it possible to locate a lost stylus or other peripheral input device. The acoustic resonator can be formed at an end of the stylus opposite its tip, and can include a portion of the stylus' exterior housing that is thinned to a design thickness that has a particular resonant behavior or frequency. In some examples, the acoustic resonator can be formed at a cap portion of the stylus, and can include a resonant diaphragm attached to at least a portion of the cap's border. A cap cover for the cap portion can optionally have openings that allow for ventilation, such that air pressure changes are generated beneath the cover. In some examples, an electronic device can transmit a location request to the stylus, and can cause the stylus to use the acoustic resonator to generate an acoustic signal for a specified target detector.
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Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 264,351, filed November 19, 2021, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 055,702, filed November 15, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates in its entirety to peripheral devices having acoustic resonators and to systems and methods for transmitting the position of the peripheral devices using vibrations from the acoustic resonators of the peripheral devices. Background Technology

[0004] Many types of input devices are currently available for performing operations in computing systems, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks, touch panels, touchscreens, and so on. Specifically, touchscreens are popular due to their ease of operation, flexibility, and decreasing price. A touchscreen may include a touch panel and a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. The touch panel may be a transparent panel with a touch-sensitive surface, and the display device may be partially or completely positioned behind the panel such that the touch-sensitive surface covers at least a portion of the visible area of ​​the display device. Touchscreens allow users to perform various functions by touching the touch panel at locations typically indicated by the user interface (UI) displayed on the display device using a finger, stylus, or other object. Generally, a touchscreen can recognize touches and their location on the touch panel, and the computing system can then interpret the touch based on the displayed content at the time of the touch, and then perform one or more actions based on the touch. In some examples, the touch panel may be included in other input devices (such as a touchpad) separate from any display screen. For some touch sensing systems, detecting a touch does not require a physical touch on the display. For example, in some capacitive touch sensing systems, the edge electric field used to detect touch may extend beyond the surface of the display, and objects close to the surface may be detected near the surface without actually touching it.

[0005] Many types of peripheral input devices are currently used to provide input to electronic devices. Styluses have become a popular peripheral input device for touch-sensitive devices. Specifically, the accuracy of styluses can be improved by using active styluses that can generate stylus excitation signals that can be sensed by touch-sensitive devices. However, peripheral input devices used to interact with electronic devices can be difficult to find due to misplacement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for locating peripheral input devices (such as styluses), and acoustic resonators integrated within the housing of the peripheral input device. An electronic device may receive a request from a user, either directly or via a network, requesting assistance in locating the peripheral input device. In response, the electronic device may generate a location request and transmit it to the peripheral input device. In some examples, the location request generated at the electronic device may specify a target detector for a beacon or acoustic signal generated by the peripheral input device. Although in some cases the electronic device may choose itself as the target detector, sometimes the target detector is specified by the user. In some examples, the location request also specifies the desired frequency, desired amplitude, and desired duration of the beacon or acoustic signal generated by the peripheral device. In some examples, the desired frequency may be based on the specified target detector. For example, if the target detector is the user, the desired frequency may be specified within the audible frequency range (or subranges thereof) associated with human hearing. Alternatively, if the target detector is an electronic device, the desired frequency may be specified within a frequency range associated with optimal detection, lower power detection, or low noise detection of an acoustic transducer (e.g., an audio / microphone sensor) within the electronic device. In some examples, the desired frequency specified in the location request generated by the electronic device may be based on user selection. In other examples, the desired frequency may be selected by the electronic device from a frequency range (e.g., automatically) based on the target detector, without requiring user selection. In some examples, the desired amplitude of a beacon or acoustic signal generated by a peripheral device may be selected (by the user or the electronic device) so that the acoustic signal can be heard by the target detector at a specific loudness level and at a certain distance. In some examples, the desired duration of the acoustic signal may be selected so that the target detector has sufficient time to detect the signal.

[0007] In response to a received location request, the peripheral input device can generate an acoustic signal for a target detector, specifying the frequency, amplitude, and duration in the location request. In some examples, the peripheral input device operates in a default mode associated with normal operation and in a beacon mode associated with generating the acoustic signal for the target detector. In the default mode, a haptic module within the peripheral input device can generate haptic feedback to the user based on gestures, selections, or other actions performed with the peripheral input device. The peripheral input device can switch to beacon mode in response to a received location request. In beacon mode, the peripheral input device's processing circuitry can generate instruction signals for the haptic module, causing it to generate drive signals or harmonic forcing signals for acoustic resonators integrated within the peripheral input device's housing structure. The haptic module can vibrate to cause elastic deformation within its mechanically coupled housing structure or to cause changes in air pressure in its surrounding area. In some examples, the peripheral input device has acoustic resonators integrated within its housing structure that are mechanically coupled to the haptic module. In some such examples, the drive signal generated at the haptic module can be transmitted to the acoustic resonator via a material path that mechanically couples the acoustic resonator to the haptic module. In some examples, the peripheral input device has an acoustic resonator coupled to the haptic module via an air gap. In some such examples, the drive signal generated at the haptic module can be transmitted to the acoustic resonator via changes in air pressure in the air gap between the acoustic resonator and the haptic module.

[0008] In some examples, acoustic resonators integrated within the housing of a peripheral input device may comprise portions of the outer housing in the end / cover region of the device, thinned to a thickness different from the thickness of the outer housing in other regions of the device. The thickness of the outer housing used to form the acoustic resonator can be selected or designed to resonate at a specific frequency when a corresponding drive signal is provided from the haptic module. These acoustic resonators receive drive signals from the haptic module via a material path used to form the housing structure of the peripheral input device, through which such acoustic resonators and the haptic module are considered mechanically coupled. The thinned portions of the outer housing used to form the acoustic resonator are separated from the inner housing by an air gap, allowing them to undergo elastic deformation in response to a drive signal received from the haptic module. Therefore, the acoustic resonator enables the generation of acoustic signals via the outer housing itself, which improves the detectability of the acoustic signals without the need for active speaker components.

[0009] In some examples, the acoustic resonator coupled to the haptic module via an air gap may be a resonant diaphragm comprising at least a portion of the boundary within the cover portion of the housing attached to the peripheral input device. The thickness of these resonant diaphragms can be similarly selected or designed to resonate at a specific frequency when a corresponding drive signal is provided from the haptic module. These acoustic resonators can receive the drive signal from the haptic module via changes in air pressure caused by vibrations at the haptic module in the region between the acoustic resonator and the haptic module. Specifically, these air pressure changes on the side in contact with the resonant diaphragm may result in corresponding air pressure changes (e.g., acoustic signals) generated on the opposite side of the resonant diaphragm. Thus, an acoustic resonator formed by such a resonant diaphragm results in the generation of an acoustic signal at the cover portion of the housing. In some examples, a solid cover may completely cover the acoustic resonator. In some examples, an opening may be formed in the cover to form a Helmholtz resonator. In some examples, an opening may be formed from the cover volume to the internal peripheral device volume to form a Helmholtz resonator. In some examples, perforated openings can be formed in the cover to create a Helmholtz resonator with increased bandwidth. In some examples, perforated openings can be formed from the cover volume to the internal peripheral device volume, thereby creating a Helmholtz resonator with increased bandwidth. In other examples, openings can be formed in the cover covering to improve the ease of detecting acoustic signals generated at the cover portion.

[0010] Once the peripheral input device generates an acoustic signal, the target detector can detect its position. In some examples, where the target detector is a user, the user can use an acoustic signal such as a beacon and track the source of the signal by moving in a direction corresponding to an increasing loudness level of the acoustic signal. In other examples, where the target detector is an electronic device, the electronic device can use one or more acoustic transducers (e.g., an audio / microphone sensor) to detect the acoustic signal. Based on a comparison between the amplitude and / or phase and / or frequency values ​​of the acoustic signal detected by the one or more acoustic transducers and the amplitude and / or phase and / or frequency values ​​of the acoustic signal specified in the location request, processing circuitry in the electronic device can estimate the distance or relative position of the peripheral input device. In some examples, the processing circuitry in the electronic device can also query a sound propagation model to estimate the relative distance between the peripheral input device and the electronic device. Based on a comparison between the amplitude values ​​of the acoustic signal sensed by a single acoustic transducer in the electronic device at different orientations, or a comparison between the amplitude values ​​of multiple acoustic transducers located at multiple different positions within the electronic device, the processing circuitry in the electronic device can estimate the relative orientation of the peripheral input device and the electronic device. According to examples of this disclosure, processing circuitry in an electronic device can estimate the position of a peripheral input device relative to the electronic device based on estimated relative distance and estimated relative orientation. Based on a comparison between the phase of a measured acoustic signal and the phase of a requested acoustic signal sensed by a single acoustic transducer in the electronic device, or a comparison between the phases of measured signals from multiple acoustic transducers located at multiple different positions within the electronic device, processing circuitry in the electronic device can estimate the relative position and / or orientation of the peripheral input device to the electronic device according to examples of this disclosure. According to examples of this disclosure, the relative position and orientation of the peripheral input device can be combined with the absolute position and orientation of the electronic device in space to calculate the position of the peripheral input device in that space. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 An exemplary environment according to examples of this disclosure is shown, in which a system or device is coupled to a peripheral input device and responds to input or requests from a user.

[0012] Figure 2 A block diagram of an exemplary peripheral input device communicating with an exemplary electronic device or user, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 An exemplary active stylus is shown according to an example of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4 An exemplary equal loudness profile is shown, plotted on the axes of decibel level and sound frequency, according to an example of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5A A simplified cross-sectional side view of an exemplary stylus with an acoustic resonator integrated into its external housing, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown.

[0016] Figure 5B Examples from this disclosure are shown. Figure 5A A magnified view of the transition area, and along Figure 5A A simplified cross-sectional side view of the A-A' and B-B' axes.

[0017] Figure 5C A simplified cross-sectional side view of an exemplary stylus with an acoustic resonator integrated into its external housing, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown.

[0018] Figure 5D Examples from this disclosure are shown. Figure 5C A magnified view of the transition area, and along Figure 5C A simplified cross-sectional side view of the A-A' and B-B' axes.

[0019] Figure 5E A simplified cross-sectional side view of an exemplary stylus with an acoustic resonator integrated into its external housing, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown.

[0020] Figure 5F Examples from this disclosure are shown. Figure 5E A magnified view of the transition area, and along Figure 5E A simplified cross-sectional side view of the A-A' and B-B' axes.

[0021] Figures 6A-6B A view of an exemplary acoustic resonator integrated into the cover portion of an active stylus, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown.

[0022] Figure 6C A view of an exemplary cover of the cap portion of an active stylus, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown.

[0023] Figures 7A-7B A view is shown of an exemplary acoustic resonator integrated into the cover portion of an active stylus according to an example of this disclosure, the acoustic resonator having a modified resonant diaphragm.

[0024] Figures 8A-8B A cross-sectional perspective view of the haptic module of an active stylus according to an example of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which form part of the following description of the examples and illustrate specific examples of optional implementations by way of example, will be referenced in the description. It should be understood that other examples and structural changes may be optionally used without departing from the scope of the disclosed examples.

[0026] This disclosure relates to a peripheral device including an acoustic resonator and a system and method for communicating with the peripheral device including the acoustic resonator. When the device communicates with the peripheral device (e.g., using a wireless communication protocol), the electronic device can cause the peripheral device to generate an acoustic signal using the acoustic resonator. In some examples, the acoustic signal generated by the peripheral device may have a specific associated frequency and / or a specific associated amplitude, which may optionally be specified by an electronic device communicatively coupled to the peripheral device. In some examples, the peripheral device generates a haptic feedback signal in a first operating mode (e.g., a default operating mode) and generates an acoustic signal in a second, different operating mode. In some examples, the peripheral device may switch to a second operating mode to generate an acoustic signal in response to receiving a request from a communicatively coupled electronic device. In some examples, the peripheral device may generate an acoustic signal with a specific frequency and / or amplitude based on a target detector for the acoustic signal. In some examples, the peripheral device generates an acoustic signal with frequencies within or a subset of the audible band associated with human hearing (e.g., when the target detector is a nearby user or electronic device). In some examples, the peripheral device generates acoustic signals with frequencies within different frequency bands that are inaudible to electronic devices (e.g., outside the audible bands associated with human hearing), but detectable by electronic devices (e.g., when the target detector is an electronic device). In some such examples, the different frequency bands may correspond to a range of frequencies within the electronic device where the acoustic transducer can accurately / optimally detect or reduce the power consumption required to generate and / or detect the acoustic signals. In some examples, the acoustic resonator of the peripheral device may be integrated within or implemented as part of the housing of the peripheral device. In some examples, the acoustic resonator is integrated within or implemented as part of the axial portion of the peripheral device. In some examples, the acoustic resonator is integrated within or implemented as part of the cover portion of the peripheral device. In some examples, the peripheral device may be a stylus.

[0027] Figure 1Exemplary environments according to examples of this disclosure are illustrated, wherein a system or device may be communicatively coupled to a peripheral input device. In some examples, the system or device may respond to input or requests from a user. As described herein, a peripheral input device may include an acoustic resonator (e.g., an acoustic resonator integrated into or implemented as part of a housing or cover of the peripheral input device) that vibrates to generate an acoustic signal with a specified frequency and / or amplitude. In some examples, a system for determining the presence of a peripheral device or the location or relative position of a peripheral device may request the peripheral input device to generate an acoustic signal. In some examples, the request to generate an acoustic signal may specify a desired frequency, desired amplitude, and / or desired target (e.g., a user or an electronic device detector) for the acoustic signal. In some examples, an electronic device may detect the acoustic signal and estimate the position of the peripheral device that generated the acoustic signal relative to the electronic device. In some examples, an electronic device may estimate the orientation, position, and / or distance of the peripheral device relative to the electronic device. In some examples, an electronic device may estimate the relative position and / or velocity of the peripheral device relative to the electronic device. In some examples, the estimation may be based on the detected acoustic signal and the frequency and / or phase and / or amplitude of the acoustic signal specified in the request. In some examples, the electronic device causes the peripheral device to switch between operating modes. In some examples, in a first mode (e.g., default mode), the peripheral device does not generate an acoustic signal, and in a second mode (e.g., beacon mode), the peripheral device generates an acoustic signal.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, an exemplary environment 100 includes a network 160 (e.g., a local area network, the Internet, etc.), an electronic device 170 communicatively coupled to the network 160, and a peripheral input device 102 communicatively coupled to the device 170. In some examples, a user 180 may use one of the electronic devices 170 to generate a request. The electronic device may transmit the request to other electronic devices 170 via the network 160. In some examples, the network 160 represents a self-organizing network among the electronic devices 170, through which the devices 170 can communicate with each other without requiring a separate network. In some examples, the peripheral input device 102 is communicatively coupled to the network 160 (not shown). In some examples, the peripheral input device 102 may be an input device (e.g., a stylus) for one of the electronic devices 170. In some examples, the peripheral input device 102 may be an active stylus that generates stylus actuation signals when interacting with a touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device.

[0029] Electronic device 170 may include an exemplary mobile phone 136, which may include a touchscreen 124, according to an example of this disclosure. Device 170 may include an exemplary personal computer 144, which may include a touchscreen 128 and / or a touchpad 146, according to an example of this disclosure. Device 170 may include an exemplary tablet computing device 148, which may include a touchscreen 130, according to an example of this disclosure. Device 170 may include an exemplary wearable device 150 (e.g., a watch), which may include a touchscreen 152, according to an example of this disclosure. Mobile phone 136, personal computer 144, tablet computing device 148, and / or wearable device 150 may include wireless communication circuitry and one or more acoustic sensors (e.g., acoustic transducers, microphone sensors, etc.). In some examples, the wireless communication circuitry within device 170 may be used to transmit a request to peripheral device 102 to generate an acoustic signal. In some examples, the request may specify a desired frequency and / or a desired amplitude of the acoustic signal. In some examples, the request may also specify a desired target for detecting the acoustic signal (e.g., designating device 170 or user 180 as the intended target for detecting the acoustic signal).

[0030] In some examples, acoustic sensors within device 170 can be used to detect acoustic signals. The acoustic sensors can detect frequencies within the audible frequency range associated with human hearing and / or frequencies outside the audible range. For example, the acoustic sensors can detect frequencies below the audible range. Or, for instance, the acoustic sensors can detect frequencies above the audible range. In some such examples, the acoustic sensors can detect frequencies within the audible range at a first accuracy level (e.g., the signal-to-noise ratio associated with detecting such frequencies, the false positive detection rate associated with detecting such frequencies), which may differ from a second accuracy level associated with using the acoustic sensors to detect frequencies outside the audible range. For example, the acoustic sensors can detect frequencies outside the audible range at a higher accuracy level than frequencies within the audible range.

[0031] Based on the detection of acoustic signals generated by peripheral input device 102 using acoustic sensors, electronic device 170 can detect the presence of peripheral input device 102 and estimate the relative orientation, relative position, and / or relative distance of peripheral input device 102 relative to electronic device 170. In some examples, detecting presence or estimating relative orientation / position / distance may be based on characteristics of the detected acoustic signal (e.g., the frequency and / or phase and / or amplitude of the detected signal) and the frequency and / or amplitude of the acoustic signal specified in the request to generate the acoustic signal. In some such examples, the estimate may be generated by comparing the characteristics of the detected acoustic signal with the frequency and / or amplitude of the acoustic signal specified in the request transmitted to peripheral input device 102. In some examples, estimating the orientation or position of peripheral input device 102 relative to any of the devices in device 170 may require detecting multiple acoustic transducers (e.g., microphone sensors, acoustic / audio sensor arrays, etc.) disposed at different corresponding locations within a single device and utilizing these acoustic transducers to detect acoustic signals. In some such examples, the device can generate an estimate of the relative orientation or relative position of the peripheral input device 102 by comparing an acoustic signal detected by one acoustic transducer (e.g., first sensor data) with an acoustic signal detected by another acoustic transducer (e.g., second sensor data). For example, if the first sensor data indicates a higher detected amplitude corresponding to the acoustic signal than the second sensor data, the device 170 can estimate the orientation of the peripheral input device 102 relative to the device 170, which is closer to the location of the acoustic transducer that generated the second sensor data than the location of the acoustic transducer that generated the first sensor data. This process can be repeated using multiple data samples from sensors located at different locations within the device 170 to determine the relative orientation of the peripheral input device 102 with the device 170. In some examples, cross-correlation or correlated triangulation techniques can be used to compare sensor data from multiple acoustic transducers located at different corresponding locations within a single device 170 with a specified signal to calculate the relative position via time-of-flight / time-of-arrival determination (e.g., measuring the time interval between a requested acoustic signal and a detected acoustic signal). In some examples, cross-correlation or correlational multipoint localization algorithms can be used to compare sensor data from multiple acoustic transducers located at different corresponding locations within a single device 170 to calculate the relative position by determining the time-of-flight / time-of-arrival difference (e.g., measuring the time interval between the time of flight / arrival of detected acoustic signals at multiple pairs of acoustic transducers). In some examples, the relative position calculated by device 170 using time-of-flight / time-of-arrival determination can be compared with the relative position calculated by device 170 based on amplitude relative to a propagation model to improve the accuracy of the calculated position.In some examples, the relative position calculated by device 170 using the time difference of flight / arrival can be compared with the relative position calculated by device 170 based on amplitude relative to a propagation model to improve the accuracy of the calculated position. In some examples, multiple devices of electronic device 170 can be used to generate an estimate of the relative orientation or relative position of peripheral input device 102 by correlating sensor data from their respective acoustic transducers to perform triangulation. In some examples, multiple devices of electronic device 170 can be used to generate a single estimate of the relative orientation or relative position of peripheral input device 102 by comparing the individual estimates of each device. In some examples, the estimate for each device can be generated based on a comparison between a requested acoustic signal (e.g., frequency parameters, amplitude parameters, and / or phase parameters specified in the request) and a received acoustic signal (e.g., frequency measurements, amplitude measurements, and / or phase measurements from acoustic transducers or other sensors). The comparison between the requested acoustic signal and the received acoustic signal can be performed in the time domain or the frequency domain. In some examples, acoustic transducers or other sensors measure or record measurements of received acoustic signals (e.g., acoustic signals generated in response to a request) in the time domain. Optionally, processing circuitry of one or more electronic devices 170 may be used to transform the time-domain measurements of the received acoustic signals to the frequency domain (e.g., via Fourier transform, discrete Fourier transform, and / or fast Fourier transform techniques). In some examples, sensor data from acoustic transducers transformed to the Fourier domain within a single device 170 may be compared with a specified signal transformed to the Fourier domain, using cross-correlation or correlated multipoint localization algorithms to calculate relative velocity via arrival frequencies. In some examples, multiple devices of electronic device 170 may be used to generate an estimate of the relative velocity of peripheral input device 102 by correlating sensor data from their respective acoustic transducers transformed to the frequency domain and calculating the velocity vector of peripheral input device 102 via arrival frequency differences using cross-correlation or correlated multipoint localization algorithms. In some examples, multiple devices of electronic device 170 can be used to generate estimates of the relative position or relative velocity of peripheral input device 102 by correlating sensor data from their respective acoustic transducers to perform triangulation. In other examples, the relative position and / or orientation and / or velocity of peripheral input device 102 can be combined with the absolute position and / or orientation and / or velocity of electronic device 170 in space to estimate the absolute position of peripheral input device 102 in space.

[0032] Peripheral input device 102 may include an active stylus or an electronic pen that uses wireless communication circuitry to communicate with any electronic device in electronic device 170 (e.g., using a wireless communication protocol). Additionally, peripheral input device 102 may provide input to a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touchscreen) associated with any electronic device in electronic device 170. For example, a touch-sensitive surface integrated within any device in device 170 may display an image and / or detect touch and / or proximity (e.g., hover) events from peripheral input device 102. In some examples, device 170 may use circuitry (not shown) to perform a touch scanning operation on its touch-sensitive surface, detecting the path between a pressure position (e.g., the position where device 102 initially initiates contact with the touch-sensitive surface) and a release position (e.g., the position where device 102 stops contact with the touch-sensitive surface). Figure 3 As described in more detail, peripheral input device 102 may generate excitation signals that improve the accuracy of touch scanning operations and path detection associated with device 170. As described in more detail below, peripheral input device 102 may include an acoustic resonator that sometimes generates an acoustic signal in response to a request from a device in device 170. In some examples, the request may specify a desired frequency of the acoustic signal, a desired amplitude of the acoustic signal, and / or a desired target for detecting the acoustic signal (e.g., user 180, a device in device 170, etc.). In some such examples, receiving a request at peripheral input device 102 may cause device 102 to generate an acoustic signal at a desired frequency and / or a desired amplitude, such that the acoustic signal can be detected by the desired target (e.g., user 180, a device in device 170, etc.).

[0033] In some examples, user 180 can request peripheral input device 102 to generate an acoustic signal by initiating a request on one of the electronic devices 170. In some examples, user 180 can use a separate device (the other of the devices shown or...) Figure 1 Another device (not shown) transmits the request to one of the electronic devices 170 via network 160. User 180 can perceive acoustic signals within the audible frequency range associated with human hearing. Within the audible frequency range, user 180 can perceive acoustic signals within a subset (or subrange) of frequencies associated with enhanced auditory perception, such as in combination with... Figure 4In a more detailed description, when user 180 requests peripheral input device 102 to generate an acoustic signal, the user can specify whether the target detector will be the user or one or more devices among devices 170. In addition to specifying the target detector for the acoustic signal generated by peripheral input device 102, user 180 can specify the desired frequency and / or desired amplitude of the acoustic signal. In some examples, when user 180 is the target detector, the user may be provided with the option to specify the desired frequency from within the audible frequency range associated with human hearing (or a frequency subrange associated with enhanced auditory perception). In other examples, when user 180 specifies one or more devices 170 as the target detector, the user may be provided with the option to specify the desired frequency from a frequency range associated with the audio transducer of device 170, which may differ from the audible frequency range. Although the examples described above involve the selection or specification of both the target detector and user 180's expectations, in some examples, user 180 may only need to select a target detector, or the target detector may have default settings if no user selection is required. In some such examples, a device in device 170 may automatically select and transmit a specific frequency from an appropriate frequency range based on a target detector selected by user 180. For example, if the target detector is a user, a device in device 170 may automatically specify frequencies within an audible frequency range (or sub-ranges thereof) associated with human hearing and transmit the specified frequencies to peripheral input device 102 upon request. The automatically specified frequencies may be default frequencies within the audible frequency range or determined based on some other determination (e.g., a sequence of frequencies within the audible range may be cyclically polled). Alternatively, if the target detector is an electronic device, a device in device 170 may automatically specify frequencies within a frequency range associated with optimal detection, lower power detection, or lower noise detection of an acoustic transducer (e.g., an audio / microphone sensor) within the electronic device and transmit the specified frequencies to peripheral input device 102 upon request. For example, a frequency associated with optimal detection in the context of a lower power detection frequency may correspond to (e.g., known a priori or based on information collected by the device during calibration) frequencies identified as requiring a minimum power level for detection (e.g., frequencies requiring less / minimum power levels than the rest of the frequency range for detection). For brevity, these frequencies may be referred to as “lower power” frequencies to indicate that they represent frequencies that can be sensed at the lowest power level. Similarly, frequencies associated with optimal detection in the context of lower noise detection frequencies may correspond to frequencies (e.g., those known a priori or based on information collected by the device during calibration) that are identified as producing a favorable / desired signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ratio during detection, or frequencies associated with a reasonably long interval between false positive detections at these frequencies (e.g., frequencies that can be detected at lower / lower noise levels compared to the rest of the frequency range).For brevity, these frequencies may be referred to as “lower noise” frequencies to indicate that they represent frequencies that can be sensed at the lowest possible noise level. The automatically assigned frequencies may be default frequencies within the frequency range associated with the acoustic transducer, or determined based on some other factor (e.g., a sequence of frequencies within the range associated with the acoustic transducer may be cycled in a polling manner). Similarly, a device in device 170 may automatically specify the amplitude and / or duration of the acoustic signal and transmit these specifications to peripheral input device 102 upon request. In some examples, the amplitude may be automatically specified based on the desired loudness level of the acoustic signal to a target detector at a specific distance from peripheral input device 102. In some examples, the duration may be automatically specified based on the minimum duration of the acoustic signal required for reliable detection by the target detector. Although the examples described above involve specifying a single target detector, in some examples, multiple target detectors may be specified. In some such examples, one or more devices in user 180 and device 170 may be specified as target detectors (e.g., specified by user 180, or as a default setting for a device in device 170). In some such examples, a frequency may be specified within a frequency range that overlaps the audible frequency range associated with human hearing and the frequency range associated with the acoustic transducer of the electronic device 170 designated as the target detector.

[0034] It should be understood that Figure 1 The exemplary device 170 shown in environment 100 is provided by way of example, and other types of devices may include wireless communication circuitry and at least one acoustic sensor according to examples of this disclosure. For example, the device may include a device worn on a user's body or placed in contact with a user's body. In other examples, the device may include portable electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, digital media players, headphones, fitness trackers, etc.) or stationary electronic devices (e.g., servers, desktop computers, communication hubs, etc.). Additionally, although some devices in device 170 shown in environment 100 explicitly refer to touchscreens, it should be understood that the wireless communication circuitry and acoustic detectors described herein do not require a touchscreen to request peripheral input device 102 to generate acoustic signals or detect acoustic signals and estimate the relative position, relative orientation, and / or relative distance between any particular device of electronic device 170 and peripheral input device 102.

[0035] As described herein, wireless communication circuitry and acoustic detectors can be incorporated into a system (e.g., electronic device 170) to add functionality for communicating with and detecting acoustic signals generated by peripheral input device 102. Specifically, the use of acoustic detectors as described herein enables a more accurate estimation of the relative position, relative orientation, and / or relative distance between any of the devices in device 170 and peripheral input device 102. In some examples, when multiple devices 170 are used to detect acoustic signals generated by peripheral input device 102, these multiple devices can transmit sensor data from their respective acoustic detectors to each other (e.g., via network 160, ad hoc network, etc.) to triangulate the relative position of peripheral input device 102 to the device. In some examples, a single electronic device in electronic device 170 may include multiple acoustic transducers (e.g., microphone arrays / audio sensor arrays) placed at different locations within the electronic device. In some such examples, a single electronic device 170 may compare signals detected by multiple acoustic transducers corresponding to the acoustic signal generated by the peripheral input device 102 (e.g., by sampling and storing sensor readings from multiple acoustic transducers). Based on this signal comparison, the electronic device 170 may estimate the orientation of the peripheral input device 102 relative to the device 170. Wireless communication circuitry of the electronic device 170 may enable a request to generate an acoustic signal to be transmitted from at least one of the devices 170 to the peripheral input device 102. This request may specify a target detector (e.g., device 170, user 180, etc.), a desired frequency for the acoustic signal (sometimes based on the target detector), and / or a desired amplitude for the acoustic signal. The peripheral input device 102 may include an acoustic resonator that can be mechanically excited to vibrate, such that the requested acoustic signal is generated at the desired frequency and desired amplitude based on the request. Peripheral input device 102 may include an acoustic resonator having perforations or openings to form a Helmholtz resonator with a bandwidth greater than that of a sealed cavity. This acoustic resonator can be mechanically excited to vibrate, thereby generating a requested signal at a desired frequency and amplitude based on the request. By incorporating and integrating the acoustic resonator capable of generating an acoustic signal into peripheral input device 102, environment 100 enables the presence of peripheral input device 102 to be detected by a target detector, and / or enables the position, orientation, and / or distance of peripheral input device 102 to be estimated by the target detector, without requiring a separate component (e.g., a GPS module, Bluetooth module, etc.) on peripheral input device 102 capable of generating an electronic location beacon.Additionally, the environment 100 can simplify the integration of components used for tracking or positioning into the peripheral input device 102 by integrating an acoustic resonator that requires less power to generate an acoustic signal compared to other electronic position beacons and occupies less space within the device than components used to generate electronic position beacons (at least because the resonator that generates the acoustic signal is integrated into certain parts of the housing).

[0036] Figure 2 A block diagram of an exemplary peripheral input device and an exemplary electronic device according to examples of this disclosure is shown. Computing environment 200 may include a stylus 202 and an electronic device 220. Electronic device 220 may correspond to the above... Figure 1 Devices 130, 136, 144, or 150 in the illustrated electronic device 170 (or may be implemented in other wearable or non-wearable electronic devices). The stylus 202 may include a processor 204 (or more than one processor, sometimes referred to as "processing circuitry") programmed (configured to) execute instructions and perform operations associated with devices in the computing environment 200. The processor 204 may be a single-chip processor (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit) or may be implemented using multiple components / circuits. For example, using instructions or requests received via wireless communication circuitry 208, the processor 204 may control the haptic module 210 to vibrate the acoustic resonator 212 to generate an acoustic signal.

[0037] Based on instructions / requests received via wireless communication circuitry 208, stylus 202 may also include memory 206 for storing various instructions for controlling haptic module 210 to vibrate acoustic resonator 212 to generate acoustic signals. Memory 206 may typically store data used by stylus 202. Memory 206 may be any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. By way of example, memory 206 may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, etc. In response to receiving a request or instruction to generate acoustic signals via circuitry 208, instructions from memory 206 may be retrieved and executed. For example, memory 206 may include instructions for operating stylus 202 in a default operating mode, wherein acoustic resonator 212 may be inactive or silent (e.g., not vibrating to generate acoustic signals). In the default operating mode of stylus 202, haptic module 210 may provide haptic feedback based on activities associated with stylus 202 and / or instructions / requests received via wireless communication circuitry from electronic device 220 (e.g., a request to provide haptic feedback in response to a detected gesture performed by stylus 202). Alternatively, memory 206 may include instructions for operating stylus 202 in beacon mode, wherein acoustic resonator 212 may vibrate to generate acoustic signals (e.g., via mechanical drive signals / pulses provided by haptic module 210). Processor 204 may retrieve instructions for operating stylus 202 in default mode or beacon mode and may execute instructions associated with these modes at different corresponding intervals. For example, during an interval when stylus 202 operates in default mode, processor 204 may retrieve instructions for operating stylus 202 in default mode from memory 206. For example, during the interval following the receipt of a request / instruction to generate an acoustic signal from electronic device 220, processor 204 may retrieve from memory 206 instructions for enabling stylus 202 to operate in beacon mode.

[0038] The wireless communication circuitry 208 within the stylus 202 may include a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, a wireless direct module, an infrared (IR) module, a radio frequency (RF) module, or any other suitable wireless communication module compatible with at least one communication protocol supported by the wireless communication circuitry 226 within the electronic device 220. In some examples, the wireless communication circuitry 208 within the stylus 202 may communicate with the electronic device 220 by receiving a request / instruction from the device 220 through a communication channel established between them (as indicated by the bidirectional arrow between the wireless communication circuitry 208 in the stylus 202 and the wireless communication circuitry 226 in the electronic device 220). In some examples, the wireless communication circuitry 208 may also communicate with the electronic device 220 by sending an acknowledgment message indicating receipt of a request / instruction (e.g., as part of a handshake process associated with the communication channel between the stylus 202 and the device 220).

[0039] The haptic module 210 within the stylus 202 can be controlled by the processor 204 to vibrate at a specific frequency, intensity / amplitude, and / or duration. For example, when the stylus 202 is operating in default mode, the processor 204 can retrieve and execute instructions corresponding to the default mode from memory 206, causing / controlling the haptic module 210 to generate haptic feedback consisting of vibrations at a specific frequency and / or amplitude and duration. As an example, the vibration frequency associated with the haptic feedback is typically less than approximately 500 Hz, such as between 80 Hz and 300 Hz. The specific frequency, amplitude, and duration of the haptic feedback generated by the haptic module 210 can typically be specified by instructions stored in memory 206, but can alternatively be determined in real time (e.g., when the haptic feedback corresponds to a detected gesture or input associated with the stylus 202).

[0040] For example, when the stylus 202 operates in beacon mode, the processor 204 can retrieve and execute instructions corresponding to the beacon mode from the memory 206, and cause / control the haptic module 210 to generate an acoustic signal by causing the acoustic resonator 212 to vibrate at a specific frequency and / or a specific amplitude and duration. For example, the vibration frequency associated with the acoustic signal may be between 1 kHz and 20 kHz. This range (1 kHz to 20 kHz) is sometimes referred to as the audible frequency range associated with human hearing. This range may further refer to the frequency range used by the stylus 202 to generate an acoustic signal in response to receiving a request from a designated user as a target detector for the acoustic signal. As discussed in more detail below, in conjunction with Figure 4 The stylus 202 can use frequencies within a subset (or subrange) of the audible frequency range associated with human hearing to generate an acoustic signal when the user (or electronic device) is the target detector for the acoustic signal. For example, this subrange could be 1kHz-4kHz, 1kHz-5kHz, 1kHz-6kHz, 2kHz-5kHz, 2kHz-6kHz, 2kHz-7kHz, or any other suitable frequency range spanning any size band within the audible frequency range associated with human hearing (e.g., a 3kHz wide range, a 4kHz wide range, a 5kHz wide range, etc.). The specific frequency, amplitude, and duration of the acoustic signal generated by the acoustic resonator 212, and the corresponding drive signal provided to the haptic module 210 to cause the acoustic signal to be generated, can typically be specified by instructions stored in memory 206. In some examples, the specific frequency, amplitude, and duration of the acoustic signal may be determined based on technical specifications or requirements associated with a beacon protocol. In other examples, a specific frequency, amplitude, and duration of the acoustic signal may be specified in the request to generate the acoustic signal received at wireless communication circuit 208 (e.g., from wireless communication circuit 226 of device 220).

[0041] As described above, the acoustic resonator 212 can receive a drive signal from the haptic module 210 and can vibrate to generate an acoustic signal. Sometimes, the drive signal may be referred to as a harmonic forced signal / pulse. Typically, the acoustic resonator 212 is mechanically coupled to the haptic module 210 via an intermediate structure that forms a continuous material path from a portion / end of the haptic module 210 to either acoustic resonator 212. Vibrations generated at the haptic module 210 can be transmitted, propagated, or otherwise transmitted through such an intermediate structure to cause the acoustic resonator 212 to vibrate. Thus, the vibration generated at the haptic module 210 can be considered as a drive signal propagating by mechanically coupling the resonator 212 to the intermediate structure of the module 210 and ultimately causing the acoustic resonator to vibrate. The specific frequency, amplitude, and duration of the vibration at the haptic module can be transmitted to the acoustic resonator 212, causing the resonator 212 to vibrate at the corresponding frequency and amplitude for a specific duration. In some examples, the corresponding frequency and amplitude of the vibration at acoustic resonator 212 may differ from the specific frequency and amplitude at haptic module 210 (e.g., due to transmission losses when the drive signal is mechanically coupled to the intermediate mechanical structure of haptic module 210 via acoustic resonator 212). However, for the sake of simplicity in the following discussion, it may be assumed that the specific frequency, amplitude, and / or duration of the vibration at haptic module 210 are equivalent to the corresponding frequency, amplitude, and / or duration of the vibration at acoustic resonator 212 (e.g., the drive signal does not suffer transmission losses when mechanically coupled to resonator 212 via module 210).

[0042] The acoustic resonator can be located at a specific position within the stylus 202, or it can be formed from certain parts of the housing of the stylus 202. Figure 2(Not shown). As discussed in more detail below, the acoustic resonator may be integrated within the housing of the stylus 202. In some examples, the acoustic resonator is integrated within the axial portion of the stylus. In some such examples, the haptic module 210 may be mechanically coupled to the acoustic resonator 212 via intermediate structures that form a material path in the housing between the module 210 and the resonator 212 integrated within the axial portion. In some examples, such as when the axial portion of the housing includes an annular prism, the resonator 212 may be formed by a sector of an annular prism having a thickness different from the rest of the housing. In other examples, such as when the axial portion of the housing includes a prism of a polygonal ring, the resonator 212 may be formed by a facet of the prism with a thickness different from the rest of the housing. In some examples, the acoustic resonator may be integrated within the cover portion of the housing. In some such examples, a resonant diaphragm (e.g., between openings in the cylindrical portion of the cover) may be provided such that it vibrates in response to vibrations generated by the haptic module 210 or another actuating module (not shown). Specifically, the vibrations generated by the haptic module 210 can propagate through the air and cause the resonant diaphragm to vibrate. In some examples, the haptic module 210 may correspond to a linear resonant actuator (LRA), which can cause the haptic mass to vibrate reciprocally between its two ends based on an electrical signal supplied to a magnetic haptic drive coil surrounding the haptic mass. In other examples, different drive modules (such as piston drivers) may be included within the stylus 202 for generating drive signals that cause the acoustic resonator 212 to vibrate and generate acoustic signals. Similar to the drive signals generated by the haptic module 210, the piston driver can cause the acoustic resonator 212 to generate acoustic signals that can be detected by a specific target detector and may have a specific frequency, a specific amplitude, and / or a specific duration. The piston actuator may include a piston head that travels between a first position and a second position along an axis associated with the range of travel of the piston head, and sometimes the piston actuator may be connected to a rotating element that travels the piston head (which, compared to haptic module 210, generates vibrations due to electromagnetic forces in coils around a block connected to the drive shaft). The piston head of the piston actuator may have an associated surface area that displaces air as it travels along its range of motion.

[0043] Electronic device 220 is communicatively coupled to stylus 202 (as indicated by the communication channel shown by the bidirectional arrow between stylus 202 and device 220). Host processor 220, together with an operating system, is operable to execute computer code and generate and / or use data. The computer code and data may reside in memory 224, which is operatively coupled to processor 210. Memory 224 may store data used by device 220. Memory 224 may be any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. By way of example, memory 224 may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, etc. Computer code and data may also reside on removable storage media and be loaded or installed onto device 220 when needed. Removable storage media include, for example, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash (CF), memory stick, Multimedia Card (MMC), and / or network components. In some examples, memory 224 may hold data corresponding to a location request that can be wirelessly transmitted to stylus 202, which may specify a particular frequency, amplitude, and / or duration of the requested acoustic signal.

[0044] Electronic device 220 also includes wireless communication circuitry 226. Wireless communication circuitry 226 can implement wireless communication standards, such as... BLUETOOTH TM The wireless communication circuit 226 may be coupled to the host processor 222 (as shown) and thereby receive a location request corresponding to a request to cause the stylus 202 to generate an acoustic signal.

[0045] Sensor 228 of electronic device 220 may include at least one acoustic transducer (sometimes simply referred to as an "audio sensor," "acoustic sensor," or "sound sensor"). Sensor 228 may be positioned at various locations within electronic device 220, such as at opposite ends of device 220, near corners of device 220, or at any other suitable location. Acoustic signals generated by stylus 202 in its beacon mode may be detected by sensor 228 (as shown by the dashed line between acoustic resonator 212 and sensor 228). Sensor 228 may be coupled to sensing circuitry (not shown) that provides processing (e.g., amplification, filtering, level shifting) and converts analog signals into digital signals. Based on the acoustic signals detected by sensor 228 (e.g., sensor data from the sensor), host processor 222 (or other processing circuitry of device 220) may detect the presence of stylus and / or generate estimates of the relative position, orientation, and / or distance of stylus 202 relative to device 220. When more than one of the sensors 228 detects an acoustic signal, the host processor 222 may be able to generate a more accurate estimate. For example, this estimate may be based on the frequency, phase, amplitude, and / or duration of the acoustic signal detected by at least one of the sensors 228. In some examples, the detection and / or estimate of the stylus's presence may be further based on the frequency, phase, amplitude, and / or duration of the acoustic signal specified in a position request transmitted to the stylus 202 (e.g., a request to generate an acoustic signal).

[0046] In some examples, the host processor 222 estimates the position of the stylus 202 based on a comparison between the amplitude of an acoustic signal detected by at least one of the sensors 228 and the amplitude of an acoustic signal specified in a position request transmitted to the stylus 202. In some such examples, the host processor 222 may be configured to estimate the position of the stylus 202 at a first distance from the device 220 based on a comparison between a sensed amplitude of the acoustic signal (e.g., the amplitude detected by at least one of the sensors 228) and a specified amplitude (e.g., the amplitude specified in a position request that causes the acoustic signal to be generated). Alternatively or additionally, the host processor 222 may be configured to estimate the position of the stylus 202 at a first distance from the device 220 based on the difference between the amplitude specified in the position request and the sensed amplitude of the acoustic signal. In other words, host processor 222 can be configured to estimate the distance at which stylus 202 is located from device 220, based on the determination that the difference between the sensed amplitude of the acoustic signal and a specified amplitude equals a first amount (e.g., the estimated first distance is based on the difference between the sensed amplitude and the specified amplitude). To estimate the distance to stylus 202, host processor 222 can retrieve a sound propagation model from memory 224 that models or otherwise describes the propagation loss (sometimes referred to as "sound attenuation") when assuming a specific medium between device 220 and stylus 202 (e.g., air or a surface material when device 220 and stylus 202 are located at different regions of a continuous surface). For example, a sound propagation model may typically include loss values ​​for a specific signal amplitude at various distances from stylus 202 (e.g., loss value for a specific signal amplitude at a first distance, loss value at a second distance, etc.). In some examples, the sound propagation model may be an equation that can solve for the distance based on the loss values ​​determined by host processor 222 (e.g., the difference between the specified amplitude and the sensed amplitude). In other examples, a sound propagation model can be a table of values ​​with rows corresponding to specific loss values ​​(e.g., a specific difference between a specified amplitude and a sensed amplitude) and columns corresponding to specific distances (e.g., distance estimates of loss values ​​across air, wood, metal, or any other medium) corresponding to the loss values ​​propagating the sound in different media.

[0047] As a general rule, the loss value corresponding to the difference between the specified amplitude and the sensed amplitude increases with distance. In other words, the sensed amplitude typically decreases as the distance between the stylus 202 and the electronic device 220 increases. For example, when a first loss value corresponds to a first distance, a second loss value greater than the first loss value may correspond to a second distance greater than the first distance. Based on a sound propagation model that maps the loss value to the estimated distance, the host processor 222 may be configured to estimate the distance between the electronic device 220 and the stylus 202 based on comparing or determining the difference between the amplitude of the acoustic signal specified in the request transmitted to the stylus 202 and the amplitude of the acoustic signal sensed by the sensor 228 (e.g., one or more acoustic sensors / transducers).

[0048] In some examples, the host processor 222 estimates the position of the stylus 202 based on a comparison between the phase of the acoustic signal detected by at least one of the sensors 228 and the expected phase of the acoustic signal specified in the position request transmitted to the stylus 202 (e.g., using the time of flight or time of arrival of the acoustic signal, using cross-correlation, triangulation and / or correlated multipoint positioning techniques to estimate the relative position of the stylus 202).

[0049] The foregoing describes exemplary techniques through which host processor 222 can be configured to estimate the relative distance between stylus 202 and electronic device 220. In some examples, host processor 222 may also be configured to estimate the relative orientation between stylus 202 and electronic device 220. As described above, sensor 228 may include one or more audio sensors, such as acoustic transducers, microphone sensors, etc. Sometimes, electronic device 220 has only one audio sensor. In some such examples, device 220 may (e.g., using...) Figure 2(A display element not shown) prompts the user to repeatedly change the orientation of the device. For example, the device may be in a default orientation, and a position request may be further transmitted to the stylus 202 via wireless communication circuitry 226. In response to receiving a position request, the stylus 202 may be configured to generate an acoustic signal based on the position request (e.g., the acoustic signal may have amplitude, frequency, phase, and / or duration specified by the position request). The generated acoustic signal may be detected by the device 220. Then, after detecting the acoustic signal generated by the stylus 202 in response to the position request, the device may prompt the user to change the device orientation in a certain way (e.g., by rotating the device 220 by 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or otherwise moving the device 220). At each orientation, the device 220 may detect the acoustic signal from the stylus 202 (e.g., using a single acoustic sensor 228). For each orientation of the device 220, the host processor 222 may store amplitude, frequency, phase, and / or duration values ​​associated with the acoustic signal sensed at the sensor 228. After collecting acoustic signal measurements corresponding to at least two orientations of device 220, host processor 222 can estimate the relative orientation of stylus 202 with respect to electronic device 220. For example, if host processor 222 collects and stores acoustic signal measurements for two orientations of device 220 (e.g., default orientation and 180-degree rotation orientation), host processor 222 can compare the detected amplitudes of the acoustic signals in the two orientations of the device and determine which orientation corresponds to the larger sensed amplitude of the acoustic signal. Based on the orientation of device 220 associated with the larger signal amplitude, host processor 222 can be configured to determine the relative orientation of stylus 202 with respect to device 220.

[0050] In other examples, the electronic device 220 has multiple audio sensors 228. In some such examples, these multiple audio sensors 228 can collect and store acoustic signal measurements of a single orientation of the device 220 (e.g., when multiple audio sensors 228 are set, it is not necessary to move / reorient the device 220). Based on a comparison of the acoustic signal measurements, the host processor 222 can be configured to determine which of the measurements has the largest signal amplitude. Based on the location of the specific audio sensor 228 that collected / measured the largest signal amplitude, the host processor 222 can be configured to determine the relative orientation of the stylus 202 to the device 220 using triangulation techniques. In some such examples, these multiple audio sensors 228 can collect and store acoustic signal measurements of a single orientation of the device 220 (e.g., when multiple audio sensors 228 are set, it is not necessary to move / reorient the device 220). The host processor 222 can be configured to compare the received signal at each audio sensor location with the expected generated signal to calculate the relative phase received at each sensor location. Based on the calculated relative phase, the host processor 222 can be configured to determine the relative orientation of the stylus 202 to the device 220 using a tri-point positioning technique. In some such examples, the multiple audio sensors 228 can collect and store acoustic signal measurements of a single orientation of the device 220 (e.g., when multiple audio sensors 228 are present, it is not necessary to move / reorient the device 220). The host processor 222 can be configured to compare the received signal at each audio sensor location with the received signal at each of the other locations to calculate the relative phase of each. Based on the calculated relative phase, the host processor 222 can be configured to determine the relative orientation of the stylus 202 to the device 220 using a multi-point positioning technique.

[0051] The foregoing describes exemplary techniques for determining the relative orientation of stylus 202 and device 220. In conjunction with exemplary techniques for determining the relative distance between stylus 202 and device 220, host processor 222 can estimate the relative position of stylus 202 and device 220. Host processor 222 can estimate the relative position based on the estimated relative distance and relative orientation. Specifically, host processor 222 can combine the estimated values ​​of the relative distance and relative orientation between stylus 202 and device 220 to determine the relative position of stylus 202 and device 220.

[0052] In some examples, as an alternative to the example described above that uses the relative orientation and distance between the stylus 202 and the device 220 to determine the relative position, the host processor 222 may estimate the relative position by using only a triangulation technique based on the relative phase of the desired / requested acoustic signal with respect to the generated / received acoustic signal.

[0053] In some examples, as an alternative to the example described above that combines the relative orientation and distance between the stylus 202 and the device 220 to determine the relative position, the host processor 222 may estimate the relative position by using only a multi-point localization technique based on the relative phase measured / sensed from multiple audio sensors 228 (e.g., between the requested acoustic signal and the received acoustic signal).

[0054] In addition to estimating the relative orientation, relative distance, and relative position of the stylus 202 and the device 220, the device 220 may combine the relative orientation and / or relative distance and / or relative position with the known position and orientation of the device 220 in space to estimate the absolute position of the stylus 202 in the space.

[0055] In addition to estimating the relative orientation, relative distance, and relative position of stylus 202 and device 220, device 220 may additionally or alternatively detect the presence of stylus 202 in its environment. For example, host processor 222 may determine whether device 220 is communicatively coupled to stylus 202 by sending a message from wireless communication circuitry 226 to wireless communication circuitry 208 at stylus 202. In some examples, stylus 202 may confirm its presence in the vicinity of device 220 by sending an acknowledgment message via its wireless communication circuitry 208 to device 220 (e.g., within a specific range associated with a pairing distance and the wireless communication link between stylus 202 and device 220). Another way host processor 222 may detect the presence of stylus 202 in the environment of device 220 is by sending a location request (e.g., a request to generate an acoustic signal) to stylus 202. In some examples, the acoustic signal may be detected by one or more sensors 228 of the device when device 220 is within a threshold distance from stylus 202. In some such examples, if the sensor 228 of device 220 is unable to detect the acoustic signal generated by stylus 202 (e.g., in response to stylus 202 receiving a location request), the host processor 222 of device 220 may determine that stylus 202 is further away from device 220 by a threshold distance (e.g., device 220 may abandon detecting the presence of stylus 202). In other examples, if the sensor 228 of device 220 is able to detect the acoustic signal generated by stylus 202, the host processor 222 may determine that stylus 202 is within a threshold distance away from device 220 (e.g., host processor 222 may detect stylus 202 in the immediate vicinity of device 220). In some examples, after determining that stylus 202 is within a threshold distance from device 220, the host processor 222 may use the amplitude of the acoustic signal detected by sensor 228, incorporating a sound propagation model, to estimate the relative distance between stylus 202 and device 220.

[0056] Figure 3An exemplary active stylus is shown according to an example of this disclosure. The stylus 300 may include an end / cap portion 302, a shaft portion 320, and a tip portion 322. It should generally be understood that the tip portion 322 corresponds to a first end portion of the stylus 300, and the end / cap portion 302 corresponds to a second end portion of the stylus 300 opposite to the first end portion. The first and second ends of the stylus 300 may refer to a first and second portion of the stylus that divides the stylus (e.g., the end portion may include a proximal portion of the stylus 300, and not just a distal portion). Furthermore, although the stylus 300 is described as actuating an electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 The device 170) is a “active” stylus with a touch-sensitive surface, but it should be understood that the end / cap portion 302 can be combined with any type of stylus (e.g., a non-active stylus with a touch-sensitive surface that does not stimulate electronic devices), any type of peripheral input device 102, and / or can be used with Figure 1 Electronic devices 170 or Figure 2 The electronic device 220 communicates with any other type of peripheral device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, watch, drawing tablet, etc.). Similarly, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, any number of active components described in conjunction with the axis portion 320 may be omitted from the stylus 300. The following is combined with... Figure 3 Many features described in the component description relate to the default mode of the stylus 300, in which the stylus can be used to provide active input to a device or user (e.g., optionally to a touch-sensitive surface of an electronic device). However, certain features and components described below relate to a beacon mode of the stylus 300, in which the stylus generates acoustic signals that serve as location beacons for human targets (e.g., users) or electronic detectors (e.g., electronic devices with one or more audio sensors).

[0057] The stylus 300 may include one or more electrodes 312, which may be located, for example, at a first end (distal end) of the stylus (e.g., the tip of the stylus). Figure 3As shown, the stylus 300 may include a tip electrode 311 and a ring electrode 313, but may use fewer or more electrodes. The tip electrode 311 may include a material capable of transmitting stylus actuation signals from the stylus actuation circuit 305 to the touch-sensitive device, such as a flexible conductor, metal, a conductor wrapped by a non-conductor, a non-conductor coated with metal, a transparent conductive material (e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO)), or a transparent non-conducting material (e.g., glass) coated with a transparent (e.g., ITO) (if the tip is also used for projection purposes) or opaque material. In some embodiments, the stylus tip may have a diameter of 2 mm or less. In some examples, the stylus tip may have a diameter between 1 mm and 2 mm. The ring electrode 313 may include a conductive material, such as a flexible conductor, metal, a conductor wrapped by a non-conductor, a non-conductor coated with metal, a transparent conductive material (e.g., ITO), or a transparent non-conducting material coated with a transparent or opaque material (e.g., glass).

[0058] The stylus 300 may also include a stylus activation circuit 305. The stylus activation circuit 305 may be configured to generate one or more stylus activation signals at the one or more electrodes 312 to activate the touch sensor panel of the touch-sensitive device. For example, the stylus activation signals may be coupled from the stylus 300 to the touch sensing circuitry of the electronic device and may be used to determine the position of the active stylus 300 on the surface of the touchscreen.

[0059] The operation of the stylus activation circuit 305 may be controlled by a processor 306 (e.g., corresponding to processor 204). For example, the processor may be configured to communicate with the stylus activation circuit to control the generation of activation signals. In some examples, communication between the processor and the stylus activation circuit may be implemented via an SPI bus, and the stylus activation circuit may act as an SPI slave device. In some examples, the stylus 300 may include more than one processor, and the stylus activation circuit 305 may include one or more processors. In some examples, one or more stylus functions described herein may be performed by firmware stored in memory or program memory (not shown) and executed by the processor 306 or the processor in the stylus activation circuit 305.

[0060] In some examples, stylus 300 may also include force sensor 308 to detect the amount of force at the tip of stylus 300. For example, force sensor 308 may measure the force at the stylus tip when the stylus tip is in contact with touchscreen 220. Force information may be stored in the stylus (e.g., in memory 318) and / or may be transmitted (via wired or wireless connection) to electronic device 220. For example, force information may be transmitted to host processor 222 or touch controller in electronic device 220. The force information and corresponding position information may be processed together by host processor 222 and / or touch controller in electronic device 220.

[0061] Processor 306 can be basically similar to the combination of the above. Figure 2 The processor 204 is described. Similar to processor 204, processor 306 can be configured to process a position request received by wireless communication circuitry 310, and can be further configured to guide haptic module 304 to provide appropriate drive signals to acoustic resonator 303, causing resonator 303 to generate acoustic signals. For example, processor 306 can process a position request received by wireless communication circuitry 310. In some examples, processor 306 can determine the desired / specified frequency, amplitude, and / or duration of the acoustic signal from the position request. Based on the processed position request, processor 306 can generate instructions for haptic module 304, causing module 304 to generate drive signals for acoustic resonator 303. For example, instructions for haptic module 304 can be provided to a haptic module controller (not shown), which interprets the instructions and determines appropriate signals or waveforms to provide to the haptic module. In some examples, the function of the haptic module controller is performed by processor 306. In response to receiving an instruction based on a processed position request, the haptic module 304 can generate a drive signal that causes the acoustic resonator 303 to vibrate at a specific amplitude and frequency specified in the position request, and for a specific duration specified in the position request (e.g., causing the acoustic resonator 303 to generate an acoustic signal). Before performing the steps described above in conjunction with causing the acoustic resonator 303 to generate an acoustic signal, the processor 306 can switch the stylus 300 from a default mode to a beacon mode.

[0062] In some examples, force sensor 308 may be coupled to processor 306. Processor 306 may process force information from force sensor 308 and, based on the force information, control stylus activation circuit 305 to generate or not generate a stylus activation signal. For example, when no force is detected or when the force is below a threshold level, the processor may cause stylus activation circuit 305 not to generate a stylus activation signal. When a force is detected (or a force at or above a threshold level) (e.g., corresponding to stylus pressure), the processor may cause stylus activation circuit 305 to generate a stylus activation signal and continue generating a stylus activation signal until the detected force drops below a threshold level (or some other threshold level).

[0063] The stylus 300 may also include wireless communication circuitry 310. While in some examples the wireless communication functionality may be integrated into other components within the stylus 300, in other examples the stylus may communicate via a wired connection. In the context of the examples of this disclosure, wireless communication circuitry 310 may be substantially similar to... Figure 2 The wireless communication circuit 208 can be used to establish and maintain a communication channel between the stylus and the electronic device (e.g., a communication link between the stylus 202 and the device 220). Figure 2(as shown). In some examples, the electronic device transmits requests to the stylus by providing wireless messages to circuitry 310, which may optionally be stored in memory 318, thereby enabling the device to record message / request history.

[0064] Wireless communication circuitry 310 may receive a location request from electronic device 220. In some examples, the location request received at wireless communication circuitry 310 may specify a desired amplitude, frequency, and / or duration of an acoustic signal. By generating an acoustic signal with the desired / specified amplitude, frequency, and / or duration, stylus 300 may provide information to one or more audio sensors (e.g., sensor 228) of electronic device 220, which in turn enables the device to detect the presence of the stylus and / or estimate the relative distance, orientation, and / or position of stylus 300. Wireless communication circuitry 310 may be coupled to processor 306, which may be configured to process the location request received at circuitry 310. In some examples, wireless communication circuitry 310 may also transmit an acknowledgment message to electronic device (e.g., device 220) indicating successful reception of the location request and indicating that the acoustic signal specified by the request has been generated.

[0065] The wireless communication circuit 310 can also transmit force information (or other information, such as motion and orientation information) from the stylus 300 to the wireless communication circuit 226 of the electronic device 220. The wireless communication circuit 310 can also receive other information, including but not limited to information about the stylus excitation frequency, scan plan information (i.e., the scan sequence performed by the touch-sensitive device), and clock synchronization information. For example, the touch-sensitive device can transmit one or more low-noise frequencies to the stylus 300, and the stylus excitation circuit 305 can generate an excitation signal at the electrode 312 based on or at one or more low-noise frequencies. In some examples, the stylus excitation circuit 305 can generate excitation signals at two or more different frequencies (e.g., one frequency at the ring electrode and a second frequency at the tip electrode), but in other examples, the stylus generates an excitation signal at only one frequency.

[0066] In some examples, stylus 300 may operate asynchronously with electronic device 220. In asynchronous examples, the stylus may generate stimulus signals continuously, at various intervals, or when force is detected by force sensor 308. In other examples, wireless communication may be used to synchronize stylus 300 and electronic device 220. For example, stylus 300 may receive clock synchronization information and a scan schedule from electronic device 220, such that it can generate stimulus signals when the computing system expects such stimulus signals from the stylus. For example, clock synchronization information may provide an update value to or reset the stylus clock (e.g., a timer, counter, etc.) so that the stylus clock is substantially the same as (or otherwise tracks) the system clock of the touch-sensitive device. The stylus can then use the scan schedule, which defines a sequence of scan events to be performed by the touch-sensitive device at specific times, and the stylus clock to determine when the touch-sensitive device expects to generate stylus stimulus signals. When electronic device 220 does not expect stylus stimulus signals, the stylus may stop generating stimulus signals. Additionally, in some examples, electronic device 220 and stylus 300 can synchronize their communication to regular time intervals, allowing both electronic device 220 and stylus 300 to save power. For example, after the stylus and computing system pair via a wireless communication channel, communication between the stylus and computing system can occur only at specified times (based on their respective synchronization clocks). Stylus 300 and / or electronic device 220 may include one or more crystals to generate stable and accurate clock signals to improve synchronization and reduce drift between the computing system and stylus clocks.

[0067] When stylus 300 first wirelessly connects to or reconnects to electronic device 220, the stylus can receive frequency information from electronic device 220. Stylus spectral analysis scanning can determine one or more cleaning frequencies for stylus use and for generating one or more excitation signals. Electronic device 220 and stylus 300 can communicate (including, for example, performing a handshake between the two devices), and electronic device 220 can transmit frequency information to stylus 300 so that the stylus knows to use the appropriate one or more frequencies to generate one or more excitation signals.

[0068] The stylus 300 can change at least one excitation frequency due to stylus spectral analysis scanning. In a synchronization system, stylus spectral analysis scanning can be performed when stylus 300 is predicted not to generate an excitation signal, such as when stylus scanning is not performed. After stylus spectral analysis scanning is completed, frequency information can be wirelessly transmitted to stylus 300, and this communication can enable stylus 300 to change one or more excitation frequencies. Then, when stylus 300 switches frequencies, electronic device 220 can switch one or more frequencies used for demodulating stylus scan events.

[0069] In other examples, stylus 300 can be asynchronous, allowing it to generate one or more excitation signals at one or more excitation frequencies, regardless of the timing of the stylus scan event. Thus, stylus 300 can stimulate the touch sensor panel during stylus spectral analysis scanning. The asynchronous stylus excitation signal allows the computing system to detect the signal during demodulation at the excitation frequency, which can be interpreted as noise at that frequency and trigger a frequency switch. To prevent triggering unnecessary frequency switches, electronics 220 can assume that stylus lift-off will eventually occur and wait until lift-off to initiate stylus spectral analysis scanning. Electronics 220 can use the results of other scans (e.g., stylus scans) to predict the lift-off condition, or use stylus force information to predict that the stylus is not on the panel, before performing stylus spectral analysis scanning.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the stylus 300 may include an additional sensor 312. The additional sensor may include one or more motion or orientation sensors. For example, the stylus may include an accelerometer and / or gyroscope to track the stylus's motion and / or orientation, which can be used to enhance the stylus position data when it is detected by a touch-sensitive surface. This motion and / or orientation information may be stored in memory 318 and / or transmitted to a computing device via wireless communication circuitry 310. Additionally or alternatively, the additional sensor 312 of the stylus 300 may include a camera to record images or video, which can be used to determine the stylus's position and / or track its motion.

[0071] Due to the relative density of components within the shaft portion 320 and the tip portion 322, the shaft portion 320 and the tip portion 322 may not be well-suited to include components required for generating the acoustic signals as described herein. Specifically, certain sensitive components may be particularly sensitive to interference from other components or environmental influences and may require dedicated or component-specific housing structures within the stylus 300. For example, the force sensor 308 coupled to the tip portion 322 may be sensitive to environmental influences, and therefore a dedicated housing structure that cannot be modified may be provided within the shaft portion 320 and / or the tip portion 322 (e.g., the dedicated housing structure for the force sensor 308 cannot be modified to integrate the acoustic resonator 303 without compromising the accuracy / reliability of the force sensor 308). Similarly, at least a portion of the shaft portion 320 may contain component-specific housing structures for sensing or detecting user input (e.g., touch sensing, bend sensing, etc.) and may be sensitive to modification (or generally cannot be modified). Additionally, at least a portion of the shaft portion 320 may be used to accommodate magnets and / or wireless charging coils, and therefore may be sensitive to modification. Therefore, the most suitable location within the stylus 300 for modifications (such as the formation of the acoustic resonator 303) could be the end / cap portion 302. At the second end of the stylus 300, the end / cap portion 302 may include the haptic module 304 and the acoustic resonator 303. The stylus 300 may also include a battery or other power source, at least partially implemented in the shaft portion and / or the end / cap portion 302 (not shown), for delivering power to the power supply components of the stylus 300. Generally, although the end / cap portion 302 is sometimes referred to as another “end” of the device distinct from the tip portion 322, the various portions of the stylus 300 can be considered to extend from the distal end, or even include the distal end. For example, considering the tip portion 322 as a portion extending from one of the two distal ends of the stylus 300, the end / cap portion 302 can be considered to extend from the opposite distal end of the stylus 300. Typically, the stylus 300 can be divided into a first part and a second part, the first part corresponding to a tip portion 322 and a shaft portion 320 extending from a first distal end (e.g., a tip end) of the stylus 300, and the second part corresponding to an end / cap portion 302 extending from a second distal end (e.g., a cap end) of the stylus 300 opposite to the first distal end.

[0072] The acoustic resonator 303 within the end / cover portion 302 may describe one or more surfaces at least partially surrounded by air or an air gap, and may vibrate to generate an acoustic signal. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 303 may be a surface engineered / designed to resonate at a specific resonant frequency. In other examples, the acoustic resonator 303 may be a surface engineered / designed to resonate within a specific frequency range. Additionally or alternatively, the acoustic resonator 303 may be mechanically coupled to the haptic module 304 (e.g., the resonator 303 and module 304 may be coupled via a continuous material path between them). In some examples, the acoustic resonator and the haptic module 304 may be separated by an air gap. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 303 may be formed of the same material used to form the housing of the stylus 300. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 303 may be formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic or polymer, non-ABS plastic or polymer, or any other suitable material.

[0073] Acoustic resonator 303 can be configured to vibrate in response to receiving a drive signal or a harmonic forced signal. In the context of this disclosure, the drive signal provided to acoustic resonator 303 may originate from haptic module 304 and vibrations induced by haptic module. Vibrations generated at haptic module 304 can be delivered, transmitted, or otherwise transmitted through these intermediate structures to cause acoustic resonator 303 to vibrate. In some examples, acoustic resonator 303 vibrates at the same frequency, amplitude, and duration as the vibration generated at haptic module 304. In other examples, acoustic resonator 303 vibrates at a different frequency and amplitude than the vibration generated at haptic module 304 (e.g., due to transmission losses occurring as the drive signal passes through the structure / medium between module 304 and resonator 303). When acoustic resonator 303 is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, the elastic deformation of the material generates vibrations (and corresponding acoustic signals).

[0074] Based on where the acoustic resonator 303 is formed in the end / cover portion 302 and the material used to form the resonator 303, a drive signal provided to the resonator can cause the resonator to vibrate according to one or more modes. In some examples, some vibration modes may correspond to highly directional acoustic signals (e.g., acoustic signals that can be easily sensed from a particular direction but may be difficult to sense from other directions). In other examples, some vibration modes may correspond to omnidirectional acoustic signals (e.g., acoustic signals that can be sensed from any direction). Some acoustic resonators 303 may be formed such that one of their surfaces is exposed to air, and the vibration (or elastic deformation) of the resonator causes sound waves to be generated in the air surrounding the stylus 300. Other acoustic resonators 303 may be formed below other structures within the stylus 300 (e.g., under the cover of the stylus 300). In some such examples, the resonator causes sound waves to be generated in the surrounding air within other structures. As described in more detail below, some covers for the resonators 303 in the end / cover portion 302 may completely cover the resonators, and other covers may substantially (e.g., greater than a threshold amount, such as 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%) cover the resonators 303 in the end / cover portion 302 rather than completely cover them (e.g., due to vents in the covers that allow sound waves generated by the resonators to escape to the outside of the stylus 300 housing).

[0075] The haptic module 304 may also be disposed or housed within the end / cover portion 302 and may be coupled to the acoustic resonator 303. The haptic module 304 may receive instructions to cause the acoustic resonator 303, which is mechanically coupled to the haptic module 304, to vibrate in a manner that specifies a frequency, amplitude, and / or duration. In some examples, the instructions for causing the haptic module 304 to vibrate may be based on a location request received at the wireless communication circuitry 310 (e.g., from...). Figure 2 Electronic devices 220 Figure 1 (e.g., device 170). Structurally, the haptic module 304 may include a block that vibrates between two locations within the module. In some examples, instructions to vibrate the haptic module 304 result in an electromagnetic force (e.g., a Lorentz force) causing the block to vibrate between the two locations within the module. The vibration of the haptic module 304 may be transmitted or transferred to the resonator 303 via one or more air gaps or by mechanically coupling the module 304 to a continuous material path of the acoustic resonator 303.

[0076] In some examples, the haptic module 304 may vibrate in a manner that causes the acoustic resonator 303 to vibrate completely, or alternatively, vibrate in a manner that causes the resonator 303 to produce no acoustic signal (or produce an acoustic signal below a threshold level). In some such examples, such as during the default mode of the stylus 300, the haptic module 304 may be configured to vibrate at frequencies outside the frequency range associated with human hearing. Specifically, the haptic module 304 may be configured to vibrate at frequencies within the frequency range associated with haptic feedback, such as at frequencies less than 500 Hz. In some examples, the haptic module 304 may be configured to vibrate at frequencies in the range of 80 Hz to 300 Hz. The haptic module 304 may be configured to receive instructions to vibrate at frequencies within the frequency range associated with haptic feedback in the default mode in response to a gesture performed by the user using the stylus 300, a user selection made using the stylus 300 on a touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device, or any other determination during the default operating mode associated with the stylus.

[0077] In beacon mode, the haptic module 304 can vibrate in a manner that causes the acoustic resonator 303 to vibrate, generating an acoustic signal. In some examples, the haptic module 304 may sometimes receive instructions from a location request (e.g., a request from an electronic device to cause the stylus 300 to generate an acoustic signal) to specify a target detector. The target detector may indicate which frequency range should be used to select the frequency for vibrating the haptic module 304. Typically, the stylus 300 generates an acoustic signal that can be detected by the electronic device and / or the user. However, the target detector specified in the location request can narrow the selected frequency range for vibrating the haptic module 304, thereby optimizing / improving the detection performed by the target detector. In some examples, the target detector specified in the location request is the user. In some such examples, the haptic module 304 may be configured to vibrate at frequencies within a frequency range associated with human hearing. Alternatively, the haptic module 304 may be configured to vibrate at frequencies within a subrange of the frequency range associated with human hearing. In some examples, the target detector specified in the location request is the electronic device. In some such examples, the haptic module 304 may be configured as an acoustic transducer within the device (e.g., Figure 2Vibration at frequencies within the frequency range that the sensor 228 shown can accurately / optimally detect. In some such examples, the haptic module 304 may additionally or alternatively be configured to vibrate at frequencies within a range that the acoustic transducer can detect with less power (e.g., a range within the spectrum where less amplification of the acoustic transducer / sensor output is required to produce a reliable detectable signal). In some such examples, the haptic module 304 may additionally or alternatively be configured to vibrate within a range that the acoustic transducer can detect with less noise (e.g., a range within the spectrum where the acoustic transducer / sensor can detect with a high signal-to-noise ratio or with a longer time interval between false positive detections due to ambient noise). Sometimes, the frequency range that the acoustic transducer can accurately detect may differ from or even partially fall outside the audible frequency range or any subrange of the audible range. Therefore, the frequency range that the acoustic transducer can accurately detect may sometimes be considered an inaudible frequency range. Generally, the frequency range that an acoustic transducer can accurately detect may not be completely inaudible to human hearing (e.g., the range associated with the transducer may at least partially overlap with the audible range), or may not be entirely within the audible frequency range associated with human hearing (e.g., the range associated with the transducer is not an appropriate subset or subrange of the audible range).

[0078] It should be understood that the Stylus 300 is not limited to Figure 3 The components and configurations of the stylus 300 may include fewer or more other components in various configurations according to various examples. Furthermore, the components of the stylus 300 may be included within a single device or distributed among multiple device parts. For example, the stylus 300 may include an end / cap portion 302, a shaft portion 320, and a tip portion 322. In some examples, the stylus 300 may include a removable stylus tip portion 322, such that the tip portion can be removed and replaced or used to perform different functions as needed. The removable tip portion 322 and the shaft portion 320 may be coupled to a connector (not shown). For example, the connector may be a threaded connector, a plug connector, etc. In some examples, the locking or fastening system between the removable stylus tip portion 322 and the shaft portion 320 may include a fastening rod, a spring fastener, and a release button. The removable tip portion 322 may include one or more electrodes 312 (e.g., for stimulating a capacitive sensor panel). As shown, many remaining components may be included in the shaft portion 320. It should be understood that various components may be distributed in different ways between the shaft portion and the tip portion. Additionally, it should be understood that the components of the stylus (or other peripheral / input device) can be implemented in other passive styluses, making it possible to omit components for touch detection near the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., stylus activation circuit 305).

[0079] As described above, most of the components associated with the stylus 300 may be disposed or otherwise positioned within the shaft portion 320 and the tip portion 322. Therefore, including the haptic module 210 and / or the acoustic resonator 212 within these portions of the stylus 300 could result in a dense distribution of circuitry and components prone to interference. Therefore, the haptic module 304 (similar to module 210) and the acoustic resonator 303 (similar to resonator 212) may be included or disposed within the end / cap portion 302 of the stylus 300, separate from the shaft portion 320, thereby reducing the risk of the resonator 303 and / or module 304 interfering with any of the components therein.

[0080] Figure 4 An exemplary equal loudness profile is shown, plotted on the axes of decibel level and sound frequency, according to an example of this disclosure. Figure 4 The horizontal axis represents the sound frequency values ​​plotted on a logarithmic scale, and the vertical axis represents the decibel level associated with the acoustic signal. This horizontal axis includes frequencies outside the frequency range associated with human hearing, such as frequencies below 20 Hz. Typically, the audible frequency range associated with human hearing spans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, but in some examples, the audible range may be described as spanning from 1 kHz to 20 kHz. It is worth noting that narrowing the audible range in this way corresponds to narrowing that frequency range to selecting a few frequencies so that a person can repeatedly perceive the loudness of an acoustic signal at a specific decibel level at those selected frequencies. Human sensitivity to sound varies at different frequencies. Figure 4 As shown, two different frequencies may present the same sound pressure to the human ear, but may be perceived by the user as having different loudness (e.g., different loudness levels).

[0081] Equal loudness profiles (labeled with phon values) correspond to the logarithmic units of loudness levels. As shown for frequencies below 1 kHz, the loudness perceived by the user (in phon values) corresponds to a higher decibel level. For example, for a 100 Hz frequency to be perceived as having 40 phon loudness, the frequency must have a sound pressure level corresponding to more than 60 dB. Similarly, for a 100 Hz frequency to be perceived as having 20 phon loudness, the frequency must have a sound pressure level corresponding to almost 50 dB. Because human hearing... Figure 4 The inefficiency shown below 1 kHz can be avoided at these lower frequencies when providing a drive signal to the stylus's acoustic resonator in beacon mode (e.g., when using a resonator to generate an acoustic signal).

[0082] Also Figure 4As shown, a frequency at 1 kHz for a given decibel level corresponds to the same loudness level (in cubic units). For example, for a 1 kHz frequency to be perceived as having 40 cubic loudness, the frequency must have a sound pressure level corresponding to approximately 40 dB. Similarly, for a 1 kHz frequency to be perceived as having 20 cubic loudness, the frequency must have a sound pressure level corresponding to approximately 20 dB. Between 1 kHz and 2 kHz, the equal-loudness profile rises slightly, indicating that an additional sound pressure level (dB) is required to maintain the same loudness level. Notably, in sub-range 402 between 2 kHz and 5 kHz, the equal-loudness profile falls slightly, indicating that less sound pressure level is required to maintain the same loudness level. Therefore, these frequencies may be more desirable to specify in the location request provided to the stylus so that the acoustic signal generated by the stylus maximizes its loudness (e.g., when the user is designated as a target detector for the acoustic signal or when the electronic device is used as a target detector within the audible signal range).

[0083] Normally adjustable Figure 4 These subranges of the audible frequency range shown are intended to include any frequency range suitable for detection by a user. In some examples, according to examples of this disclosure, processing circuitry in an electronic device (e.g., Figure 2 The host processor 222 can specify frequencies between 1kHz-5kHz, 2kHz-5kHz, 2kHz-6kHz, or 1kHz-6kHz. Selecting frequencies within any subrange of the audible frequency range associated with human hearing allows the stylus to optimize its power utilization to produce the loudest acoustic signal (measured in dB) using the lowest power level. For example, in some applications where the user is a target detector, the acoustic signal must have a loudness of 60 squares at a distance of 25cm. Selecting frequencies within subrange 402 minimizes the power consumption required to generate a consistent acoustic signal at peripheral devices (e.g., the stylus).

[0084] The acoustic resonator's response to receiving a drive signal from the haptic module (e.g., haptic module 304) can be verified through empirical or experimental measurements. One empirical or experimental measurement technique for measuring or classifying the acoustic response of the acoustic resonator is to control the haptic module 304 to perform a frequency scan over a frequency range and measure the audio frequency response at each frequency within that range. Preferably, the exemplary haptic range of frequencies associated with operating the haptic module 304 in the stylus's haptic mode can be separated from the exemplary audio frequency range associated with operating the haptic module 304 in the stylus's beacon mode (e.g., the haptic range and the auditory range do not overlap).

[0085] As an example of the frequency scanning described above, it could be between 100Hz and 10kHz (e.g., at 10...). 2 Hz and 104 The acoustic response of the stylus (e.g., the acoustic response of the acoustic resonator 303) is measured at a constant power level (e.g., keeping the magnitude of the drive signal from the haptic module 304 constant over the frequency range) within a frequency range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz. An exemplary haptic frequency range may include frequencies between 100 Hz and 300 Hz and may be associated with a particular acoustic response. While the acoustic response is not particularly desirable for the operation of the haptic module 304 in haptic modes (e.g., operation within the haptic frequency range), frequencies associated with local maximum acoustic responses may be associated with improved haptic responses (e.g., more perceptible haptic feedback) for the user of the stylus. For example, a local peak frequency response may be observed at 136.7 Hz, or approximately 140 Hz, within the 100 Hz–300 Hz range associated with the exemplary haptic frequency range used to operate the haptic module 304. In some examples, when the stylus is operated in haptic mode, the operable haptic module 304 vibrates at 140 Hz to provide the most favorable / perceptible haptic feedback to the user. In some examples (such as for other frequency ranges), the haptic module 304 can be operated to vibrate at different frequencies corresponding to different local peak frequency responses.

[0086] Within a frequency sweep range of 100Hz-10kHz, an exemplary audible frequency range may include frequencies between 5.5kHz and 7kHz, and may be related to audible frequency ranges (e.g., similar to...). Figure 4 The local maximum acoustic response is associated with the sub-range 402 shown. In other words, for a constant magnitude drive signal from the haptic module 304, the acoustic resonator 303 can generate a peak acoustic response between 5.5 kHz and 7 kHz. Within the 5.5 kHz–7 kHz range associated with the local maximum acoustic response of the acoustic resonator 303, a local peak frequency response can be observed at 6.2 kHz. In some examples, when the stylus is operated in beacon mode, the haptic module 304 can be operated to vibrate at 6.2 kHz to achieve the loudest / most perceptible acoustic signal for a target detector (e.g., a user or other electronic device).

[0087] It is worth noting that the exemplary tactile frequency range and exemplary audible frequency range used for tactile modes can be separated across frequency ranges spanning hundreds or thousands of Hz. For example, based on an exemplary frequency range of 80 Hz–300 Hz, the upper frequency of the tactile frequency range (300 Hz) may be 5.2 kHz lower than the lower frequency of the audible frequency range (5.5 kHz). Similarly, based on a frequency range extending to 700 Hz, the upper frequency of the tactile frequency range (700 Hz) may be 5.1 kHz lower than the lower frequency of the audible frequency range (5.5 kHz). In some examples, the distance between the upper frequency of the tactile frequency range and the lower frequency of the audible frequency range may be separated by another amount (e.g., 1 kHz, 2 kHz, etc.) that appropriately separates the ranges for different operating modes of the stylus.

[0088] Despite Figure 4 Not described in the text, but acoustic transducers in electronic devices (e.g., Figure 2The sensor 228 can associate its own corresponding subranges with improved detection efficiency. Specifically, certain frequency ranges can be detected by the acoustic transducer with higher accuracy, reliability, and / or consistency than other ranges. When a location requests that an electronic device be designated as the target detector, the peripheral device (e.g., a stylus) can select frequencies within a frequency range associated with the optimal detection frequency range of the acoustic transducer in the peripheral device. Sometimes, when the target detector is an electronic device, the peripheral device can select low-noise detection frequencies associated with high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), thereby improving the reliability of detection of acoustic signals generated at the selected frequency at the target electronic device. In some cases, selecting frequencies associated with high SNRs can also reduce the amount of time between false detections or false alarms at the target electronic device (e.g., selecting a frequency with the minimum SNR required to reject false alarms from ambient noise for a period greater than a specific time interval). In some cases, the peripheral device can select low-power detection frequencies associated with reduced power consumption requirements at the electronic device (e.g., a range within the spectrum detectable by the acoustic transducer / sensor that requires minimum amplification to produce a reliable detectable signal). For example, a suitable frequency range for detection by the target electronic device could be 5kHz-10kHz, 5kHz-15kHz, 10kHz-25kHz, 15kHz-25kHz, 20kHz-35kHz, 25kHz-35kHz, or any other suitable frequency range spanning any size band associated with the detectability range of the target electronic device (e.g., a 3kHz wide frequency range, a 5kHz wide frequency range, a 7kHz wide frequency range, etc.). Because some of these ranges include frequencies higher than the maximum frequency associated with the audible frequency range (e.g., above 20kHz), the frequency range used to generate the acoustic signal when the target detector is an electronic device can be limited to frequencies within the audible frequency range (e.g., in cases where the acoustic resonator generating the acoustic signal cannot produce an acoustic signal with a frequency higher than 20kHz).

[0089] Figure 5A A simplified cross-sectional side view of an exemplary stylus with an acoustic resonator integrated into its external housing, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown. Specifically, section 500-1 shows a stylus along... Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the length of the end / cap portion 302 is shown in the block diagram form. Section 500-1 specifically shows details of the housing for the stylus 300, such as the inner housing 504-1 and the outer housing 504-2. Although only combined Figure 5AThe end / cap portion 302 is shown, but an inner housing 504-1 and an outer housing 504-2 may be provided for other portions of the stylus 300 (e.g., the shaft portion 320). The outer housing 504-2 may refer to the integral structure held by the user when operating the stylus 300. Sometimes, the inner housing 504-1 may simply refer to the negative space within the outer housing 504-2. However, in some examples, the inner housing 504-1 may be a structure defined by its own sidewalls, integrated into the negative space within the outer housing 504-2 (e.g., a shell structure serving as an inner wall lining of the outer housing 504-2). The inner housing 504-1 may define a cavity within which stylus components (e.g., sensitive components within the shaft portion 320, the battery within the end / cap portion 302, etc.) may be disposed or positioned.

[0090] Typically, the shaft portion 320 can be coupled with a configurable sensitive component within the stylus 300 (e.g., in conjunction with...). Figure 3 The region (e.g., the shaft portion 320) is associated with the component shown in the shaft portion 320. In some examples, this region (e.g., the shaft portion 320) where sensitive components are located may not be suitable for modifications to the inner or outer housing, at least because any modification could potentially interfere with the accuracy / reliability of the sensitive components. In some examples, this region (e.g., the shaft portion 320) contains component-specific housing structures that cannot be modified without interfering with the proper functioning of the stylus 300. Typically, the end / cap portion 302 may be associated with a region within the stylus 300 that has few or no sensitive components and where modifications to the inner or outer housing can be made more freely (e.g., the outer housing may be thinner in the end / cap portion 302 relative to the shaft portion 320, where housing modifications may be more difficult).

[0091] As mentioned above Figure 3 The integration of the acoustic resonator 303 and the tactile module 304 into the end / cover portion 302 minimizes or eliminates the influence of the acoustic resonator 303 and the tactile module 304 on sensitive components located in various areas within the shaft portion 320. Figure 5A Specifically highlighted are the end / cover portion 302 and the transition region TR1 between the shaft portion 320 and the end / cover portion 302 (e.g., the transition region between an area of ​​the stylus 300 where the housing structure may be more difficult to modify and an area of ​​the stylus 300 where the housing structure can be more easily modified). The haptic module 304 may be disposed at the cover region of portion 302. Figure 5AThe right side is shown. The haptic module 304 may include a haptic drive shaft 530, which may have a range of motion between ends 532-1 and 532-2. To generate haptic feedback or acoustic signals, a drive signal from the haptic module 304 may be generated by vibration of the haptic drive shaft 530 in the direction of an induced force between ends 532-1 and 532-2. Typically, the haptic module 304 may be disposed at the end of the stylus 300 opposite to the tip portion 322. In other words, the tip portion 322 and the haptic module 304 may be disposed at opposite ends of the stylus 300.

[0092] The acoustic resonator 506 may have a length L1 spanning at least a portion of the end / cover portion 302. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 506 may be considered to have a length greater than L1, for example, when the housing structure 502 mechanically coupled to the haptic module 304 is considered part of the acoustic resonator 506. In some such examples, the length L1 may be considered to correspond to the length of the resonant element of the acoustic resonator 506, while the housing structure 502 may involve the length or portion of the housing structure that transmits a drive signal from the haptic module 304 to the resonant element. Generally, the housing structure 502 may be considered analogous to a transmission mechanism for transmitting the vibratory motion of the haptic block of the haptic module 304 (e.g., a drive signal generated by the haptic module 304) to the acoustic resonator 506. As shown on the left side of the end / cover portion 302 and the acoustic resonator 506, a portion of the outer housing 504-2 in the shaft portion 320 may have a thickness T1. In the transition region TR1 between the shaft portion 320 and the end / cover portion 302, the outer housing 504-2 may have a thickness T2 along the length L1 of the acoustic resonator 506, which is less than T1. The thickness T2 and / or the length L1 may be selected to provide the acoustic resonator 506 with a resonant frequency in the frequency range used to generate the acoustic signal. For example, T2 and / or L1 may be selected to provide the acoustic resonator 506 with an audible frequency range associated with human hearing, or a subrange of the audible range (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The subrange 402), or the resonant frequency within the frequency range associated with the optimal sensitivity of the acoustic / audio transducer in the electronic device (e.g., the range associated with high-precision, low-noise, or lower-power detection by the transducer / sensor).

[0093] Although a single acoustic resonator 506 spanning length L1 is shown for simplification, it should be understood that any number of acoustic resonators 506 spanning length L1 (or different lengths) can be integrated within the end / cover portion 302. For example, acoustic resonators 506 are shown as portions / fans extending across the outer periphery of the end / cover portion 302 (such as in...). Figure 5BThe outermost perimeter is shown in the cross-section at line B-B'. Additional acoustic resonators may extend across other portions of this perimeter, spanning the same length L1 (or different lengths). For example, additional acoustic resonators may be formed in the bottom portion of the outer housing 504-2, which is shown having the same... Figure 5A The shaft portion 320 has the same thickness T1. In such an example, the additional acoustic resonator will be formed across the periphery of the end / cover portion 302 opposite to the portion of that periphery used to form the acoustic resonator 506. The additional acoustic resonator may span a length less than L1, equal to L1, or greater than L1. Notably, the acoustic resonator 506 may be attached at its distal ends (e.g., the first end shown on the left is attached to the outer housing 504-2, and the second end shown on the right is attached to the housing structure 502). In response to receiving vibrational energy transmitted from the haptic module 304 through the housing structure 502, the acoustic resonator 506 may undergo elastic deformation and vibrate to generate an acoustic signal while remaining fixed at both distal ends. In addition to deforming outward (e.g., away from the inner housing 504-1) in response to receiving a drive signal from the haptic module 304, the acoustic resonator 506 may deform inward (e.g., toward the inner housing 504-1) and periodically strike the air gap 522 during the generation of the acoustic signal.

[0094] When the stylus 300 is operating in beacon mode, the haptic module 304 can access the processor 306 ( Figure 5A The haptic module 304 receives an instruction (not shown) that optionally specifies at least one of a target detector, amplitude, frequency, and duration associated with the acoustic signal (e.g., based on a location request received from an electronic device). In response to receiving this instruction, the haptic module 304 may cause a block (not shown) coupled to the haptic drive shaft 530 (shown) to vibrate in the direction of a double-headed arrow labeled “inducing force” between the two ends 532-1 and 532-2 (shown by dashed lines) of the haptic module. These vibrations may correspond to a drive signal that can be mechanically transmitted to the acoustic resonator 506 via a housing structure 502 (e.g., an uninterrupted material path between the module 304 and the resonator 506) that mechanically couples the haptic module 304 to the acoustic resonator 506. In response to receiving the drive signal from the haptic module 304, the acoustic resonator 506 may vibrate at a specific frequency and / or a specific amplitude for a specific duration (e.g., the frequency, amplitude, and / or duration specified in the location request) to generate an acoustic signal.

[0095] Figure 5AThe cross-sectional side view shown illustrates the relative positions of components with respect to each other, such as the relative positioning of the haptic module 304 and the acoustic resonator 506, and the intermediate housing structure 502 that transmits drive signals from the haptic module 304 to the acoustic resonator 506, but does not limit the relative positions of any peripheral input device 102, stylus 202, or stylus 300 (as shown below). Figure 1 , 2 The external or internal housing geometry (as described in section 3). For example, the external housing of peripheral input device 102, stylus 202, or stylus 300 may have a triangular, rectangular, or other polygonal cross-sectional geometry (e.g., the cross-section of the external housing may have any polygonal shape in the end / cover portion 302). In other examples, the external housing of the peripheral input device or stylus may have a circular or elliptical external housing geometry, or a combination of polygonal and circular / elliptical external housing geometries (e.g., one or more portions of the cross-section of the external housing are polygonal, and different portions of the cross-section are circular / elliptical). Similarly, the internal housing of the peripheral device or the cavity formed within the external housing structure may have any cross-sectional geometry (e.g., polygonal, circular, elliptical, a combination of polygonal and circular / elliptical, etc.). Figure 5B In the examples, the outer and inner shell structures are shown as having substantially circular cross-sectional geometry for illustrative purposes only, and purely to avoid unnecessary confusion in this disclosure due to more complex geometries.

[0096] Figure 5B Examples from this disclosure are shown. Figure 5A The transition area and along Figure 5A An enlarged view of the simplified cross-sectional side view of the A-A' and B-B' axes. (Source: [Original Source Name]) Figure 5AThe transition region TR1 shows the area where the shaft portion 320 connects to the end / cover portion 302 and where the outer housing 504-2 connects to the acoustic resonator 506 (to form a single continuous structure). Within the shaft portion 320 of the transition region TR1, the outer housing 504-2 may have a thickness T1. Additionally, within the shaft portion 320 of the transition region TR1, the outer housing 504-2 and the inner housing 504-1 may be separated by an air gap 520 having a thickness T3. In the end / cover portion 302 of the transition region TR1, the acoustic resonator 506 may have a thickness T2 less than T1. The acoustic resonator 506 and the inner housing 504-1 may be separated by an air gap 522. Because the acoustic resonator 506 has a thickness T2 that is reduced relative to T1, and has an air gap 522 between itself and the inner housing 504-1, a drive signal from the haptic module 304 can cause the resonator 506 to vibrate to generate an acoustic signal. In some examples, the drive signal from the haptic module 304 may be configured to cause the acoustic resonator 506 to vibrate at a resonant frequency associated with the resonator. In other examples, the drive signal from the haptic module 304 may be configured to cause the acoustic resonator 506 to vibrate at a frequency specified in a location request received from the electronic device.

[0097] along Figure 5A A cross-sectional side view along the A-A' axis shows that the outer housing 504-2 has a circular perimeter (at least in section 500-1). However, the perimeter (and overall shape) of the outer housing 504-2 may have any other shape / geometry. For example, without departing from the scope of the examples of this disclosure, the outer housing 504-2 may have a triangular, square, polygonal, elliptical, or other perimeter. In some examples, the outer housing 504-2 may have a uniform thickness T1 along its entire outer perimeter, such as... Figure 5B As shown, however, uniform thickness is not required.

[0098] Air gap 520 is shown as located below a specific sector or section of the inner periphery of the outer housing 504-2. Typically, air gap 520 may extend across a portion of the inner periphery of the outer housing 504-2. Figure 5B The fan-shaped or segmented sections may be larger or smaller than those shown. Alternatively or additionally, other air gaps (not shown) similar to air gap 520 may be formed at different fan-shaped or segmented sections on the inner periphery of the outer housing 504-2 without being connected to air gap 520. The inner housing 504-1 may be positioned within a cavity defined inside the outer housing 504-2 and may be shaped such that air gap 520 is formed between the inner housing 504-1 and the outer housing 504-2. In some examples, where additional air gaps similar to air gap 520 are formed between the outer housing 504-2 and the inner housing 504-1, the inner housing 504-1 may have different shapes to accommodate the formation of these additional air gaps.

[0099] Along Figure 5A The cross-sectional side view along the B-B' axis also shows that the outer housing 504-2 has a circular perimeter; however, it should be understood that this perimeter can have any other shape / geometry, as described above. It is noteworthy that this cross-sectional side view shows a segment or sector along the outer housing 504-2 in the corresponding section or sector within the axial portion 320 that has thinned to a thickness T2 less than thickness T1 (e.g., as shown in the cross-sectional view along the A-A' axis). As described above... Figure 5A The portion of the outer housing 504-2 that has been thinned to thickness T2 can be used as an acoustic resonator (e.g., resonator 506) to generate an acoustic signal in response to a drive signal received from the haptic module 304. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 506 extends across a distance greater than the outermost periphery of the stylus 300. Figure 5B The diagram shows segments / fans of thickness T2, smaller or larger than segments / fans. In some examples, other acoustic resonators may be formed across the outermost periphery of stylus 300 and may be different from (e.g., not connected to) acoustic resonator 506.

[0100] The section of the inner shell 504-1 surrounding the outer shell, below the section that thins to thickness T2, is indicated by a dashed line to show that this portion of the inner shell 504-1 can be omitted. Figure 5B In the exemplary configuration shown, where the outer and inner shells have substantially circular cross-sectional geometry (for simplicity), the optionally omitted portion of the inner shell 504-1 can be a circular sector. In the example where the dashed sector of the inner shell 504-1 is omitted, the air gap 522 can extend into the entire cavity formed by the inner shell 504-1. However, in other examples, the dashed sector of the inner shell 504-1 can be formed of a material (such as...). Figure 5A As shown), and the air gap 522 may extend between the acoustic resonator 506 (e.g., a portion of the outer housing 504-2 having a thickness T2) and the inner housing 504-1.

[0101] Figure 5C A simplified cross-sectional side view of an exemplary stylus with an acoustic resonator integrated into its external housing, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown. Section 500-2 shows a stylus along... Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the length of the end / cover portion 302 is shown in the block diagram. Except for the transition region TR2 between the shaft portion 320 and the end / cover portion 302, section 500-2 may be similar to section 500-1. Additionally, in Figure 5C In the example shown, there is no air gap 520 between the outer housing 504-2 and the inner housing 504-1 in the shaft portion 320.

[0102] The acoustic resonator 508 may have a length L2 spanning at least a portion of the end / cover portion 302. In some examples, L2 may be equal to... Figure 5A The length L1 is represented in the figure, although other lengths L2 may be chosen to provide the desired resonant frequency to the acoustic resonator 508. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 508 may be considered to have a length greater than L2, for example, when the housing structure 502 of the mechanically coupled haptic module 304 is considered part of the acoustic resonator 508. In some such examples, the length L2 may be considered to correspond to the length of the resonant element of the acoustic resonator 508, while the housing structure 502 may involve the length or portion of the housing structure that transmits the drive signal from the haptic module 304 to the resonant element. Similarly, the thickness T2 may be selected to provide the acoustic resonator 508 with a resonant frequency in the frequency range used to generate the acoustic signal. For example, the length L2 and / or the thickness T2 may be selected to provide the acoustic resonator 508 with an audible frequency range associated with human hearing, a subrange of the audible range (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The subrange 402), or the resonant frequency within the frequency range associated with the optimal sensitivity of the acoustic / audio transducer in the electronic device (e.g., the range associated with high-precision, lower-noise, or lower-power detection by the transducer / sensor).

[0103] Although a single acoustic resonator 508 spanning length L2 is shown for simplification, it should be understood that any number of acoustic resonators 508 spanning length L2 (or different lengths) can be integrated within the end / cover portion 302. For example, acoustic resonators 508 are shown as portions extending across the outer periphery of the end / cover portion 302 (such as in...). Figure 5D The outermost perimeter is shown in the cross-section at line B-B'. Additional acoustic resonators may extend across other portions of this perimeter, spanning the same length L2 (or different lengths). For example, additional acoustic resonators may be formed in the bottom portion of the outer housing 504-2, which is shown having the same... Figure 5CThe shaft portion 320 has the same thickness T1. In such an example, the additional acoustic resonator will be formed across the periphery of the end / cover portion 302 opposite to the portion of that periphery used to form the acoustic resonator 508. The additional acoustic resonator may span a length less than L2, equal to L2, or greater than L2. Notably, the acoustic resonator 506 may be attached at its distal end (e.g., the first end shown on the left is attached to the outer housing 504-2, and the second end shown on the right is attached to the housing structure 502). In response to receiving vibrational energy transmitted from the haptic module 304 through the housing structure 502, the acoustic resonator 506 may undergo elastic deformation and vibrate to generate an acoustic signal while remaining fixed at both distal ends. In addition to deforming outward (e.g., away from the inner housing 504-1) in response to receiving a drive signal from the haptic module 304, the acoustic resonator 506 may deform inward (e.g., toward the inner housing 504-1) and periodically strike the air gap 522 during the generation of the acoustic signal.

[0104] When the stylus 300 is operating in beacon mode, the haptic module 304 can access the processor 306 ( Figure 5C The haptic module 304 receives a command (not shown) that optionally specifies a target detector, amplitude, frequency, and / or duration associated with the acoustic signal (e.g., based on a location request received from an electronic device). In response to receiving this command, the haptic module 304 causes a block (not shown) coupled to the haptic drive shaft 530 (shown) to vibrate in the direction of a double-headed arrow labeled “inducible force” between the two ends 532-1 and 532-2 (shown by dashed lines) of the haptic module. These vibrations may correspond to a drive signal that mechanically transmits the haptic module 304 to the acoustic resonator 508 via a housing structure 502 (e.g., an uninterrupted material path between the module 304 and the resonator 508) that mechanically couples the haptic module 304 to the acoustic resonator 508. Typically, the housing structure 502 can be considered analogous to a transmission mechanism for transmitting the vibratory motion of the haptic block of the haptic module 304 (e.g., the drive signal generated by the haptic module 304) to the acoustic resonator 506. In response to receiving a drive signal from the haptic module 304, the acoustic resonator 508 can vibrate at a specific frequency and / or a specific amplitude for a specific duration (e.g., the frequency, amplitude, and / or duration specified in the position request) to generate an acoustic signal.

[0105] Figure 5C The cross-sectional side view shown illustrates the relative positions of components with respect to each other, such as the relative positioning of the haptic module 304 and the acoustic resonator 506, and the intermediate housing structure 502 that transmits drive signals from the haptic module 304 to the acoustic resonator 506, but does not limit the relative positions of any peripheral input device 102, stylus 202, or stylus 300 (as shown below). Figure 1 ,2 The external or internal housing geometry (as described in section 3). For example, the external housing of peripheral input device 102, stylus 202, or stylus 300 may have a triangular, rectangular, or other polygonal cross-sectional geometry (e.g., the cross-section of the external housing may have any polygonal shape in the end / cover portion 302). In other examples, the external housing of the peripheral input device or stylus may have a circular or elliptical external housing geometry, or a combination of polygonal and circular / elliptical external housing geometries (e.g., one or more portions of the cross-section of the external housing are polygonal, and different portions of the cross-section are circular / elliptical). Similarly, the internal housing of the peripheral device or the cavity formed within the external housing structure may have any cross-sectional geometry (e.g., polygonal, circular, elliptical, a combination of polygonal and circular / elliptical, etc.). Figure 5D In the examples, the outer and inner shell structures are shown as having substantially circular cross-sectional geometry for illustrative purposes only, and purely to avoid unnecessary confusion in this disclosure due to more complex geometries.

[0106] Figure 5D Examples from this disclosure are shown. Figure 5C The transition area and along Figure 5C An enlarged view of the simplified cross-sectional side view of the A-A' and B-B' axes. (Source: [Original Source Name]) Figure 5C The transition region TR2 shows the area where the shaft portion 320 connects to the end / cover portion 302 and where the outer housing 504-2 connects to the acoustic resonator 508 (to form a single continuous structure). Within the shaft portion 320 of the transition region TR2, the outer housing 504-2 may have a thickness T1. Additionally, within the shaft portion 320 of the transition region TR2, the housing support segment 504-3 may be directly attached to the inner housing 504-1. In the end / cover portion 302, the acoustic resonator 508 may have a thickness T2 less than T1. The acoustic resonator 508 and the inner housing 504-1 may be separated by an air gap 524. Because the acoustic resonator 508 has a thickness T2 that is reduced relative to T1, and has an air gap 524 between itself and the inner housing 504-1, a drive signal from the haptic module 304 can cause the resonator 508 to vibrate to generate an acoustic signal. In some examples, the drive signal from the haptic module 304 may be designed to cause the acoustic resonator 508 to vibrate at a resonant frequency associated with the resonator. In other examples, the drive signal from the haptic module 304 may be configured to cause the acoustic resonator 508 to vibrate at a frequency specified in a location request received from the electronic device.

[0107] along Figure 5CA cross-sectional side view along the A-A' axis shows that the outer housing 504-2 has a circular perimeter (at least in section 500-2). However, the perimeter (and overall shape) of the outer housing 504-2 may have any other shape / geometry. For example, without departing from the scope of the examples of this disclosure, the outer housing 504-2 may have a triangular, square, polygonal, elliptical, or other perimeter. In some examples, the outer housing 504-2 may have a uniform thickness T1 along its entire outer perimeter, such as... Figure 5D As shown, however, the thickness may be uneven in some examples.

[0108] The shell support segment 504-3 is shown as located below a specific sector or section of the inner periphery of the outer shell 504-2. Typically, the shell support segment 504-3 may extend across a portion of the inner periphery of the outer shell 504-2. Figure 5D The fan-shaped or segmented sections may be larger or smaller than those shown. Alternatively or additionally, other outer shell support segments (not shown) similar to segment 504-3 may be formed at different fan-shaped or segmented locations on the inner periphery of the outer shell 504-2 without being connected to segment 504-3. The inner shell 504-1 may be positioned within a cavity defined inside the outer shell 504-2 and may be shaped to accommodate itself and the shell support segment 504-3 between the outer shell 504-2. In some examples, where other shell support segments similar to segment 504-3 are formed between the outer shell 504-2 and the inner shell 504-1, the inner shell 504-1 may have different shapes to accommodate the formation of these other shell support segments. In some examples, the shell support segment 504-3 may simply be considered as part or a feature of the inner shell 504-1.

[0109] along Figure 5C The cross-sectional side view along the B-B' axis can be substantially similar to that along the B-B' axis. Figure 5B The cross-sectional side view of the B-B' axis shown (e.g., combined with) Figure 5A ), and no longer repeat details to avoid unnecessary repetition (e.g., for the sake of brevity).

[0110] The section of the inner shell 504-1 surrounding the outer shell, below the section that thins to thickness T2, is indicated by a dashed line to show that this portion of the inner shell 504-1 can be omitted. Figure 5B In the exemplary configuration shown, where the outer and inner shells have substantially circular cross-sectional geometry (for simplicity), the optionally omitted portion of the inner shell 504-1 can be a circular sector. In the example where the dashed sector of the inner shell 504-1 is omitted, the air gap 524 can extend into the entire cavity formed by the inner shell 504-1. However, in other examples, the dashed sector of the inner shell 504-1 can be formed of a material (such as...). Figure 5C As shown), and the air gap 524 may extend between the acoustic resonator 508 (e.g., a portion of the outer housing 504-2 having a thickness T2) and the inner housing 504-1.

[0111] Figure 5E A simplified cross-sectional side view of an exemplary stylus with an acoustic resonator integrated into its external housing, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown. Section 500-2 shows a stylus along... Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the length of the end / cover portion 302 is shown in the block diagram. Section 500-2 may be similar to... Figure 5A The section 500-1 shown differs in that it has a transition region TR3 between the shaft portion 320 and the end / cover portion 302, and recesses formed in the outer housing 504-2 at certain locations within the end / cover portion 302. In some examples, the recesses may be formed at two locations within the end / cover portion 302, and combined with... Figure 5F To describe in more detail.

[0112] The acoustic resonator 510 may have a length L3 spanning at least a portion of the end / cover portion 302. In some examples, L3 may be equal to... Figure 5A The length L1 is represented in the figure, although other lengths L3 may be chosen to provide the desired resonant frequency to the acoustic resonator 510. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 510 may be considered to have a length greater than L3 when the housing structure 502 of the mechanically coupled haptic module 304 is considered part of the acoustic resonator 510. In some such examples, the length L3 may be considered to correspond to the length of the resonant element of the acoustic resonator 508, while the housing structure 502 may involve the length or portion of the housing structure that transmits the drive signal from the haptic module 304 to the resonant element. Similarly, the thickness T2 may be selected to provide the acoustic resonator 510 with a resonant frequency in the frequency range used to generate the acoustic signal. For example, the length L3 and / or the thickness T2 may be selected to provide the acoustic resonator 510 with an audible frequency range associated with human hearing, a subrange of the audible range (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The subrange 402), or the resonant frequency within the frequency range associated with the optimal sensitivity of the acoustic / audio transducer within the electronic device (e.g., the range associated with high-precision, low-noise, or lower-power detection performed by the transducer / sensor). Typically, the housing structure 502 can be considered analogous to a transmission mechanism for transmitting the vibratory motion of the tactile block of the tactile module 304 (e.g., a drive signal generated by the tactile module 304) to the acoustic resonator 506.

[0113] Although a single acoustic resonator 510 spanning length L3 is shown for simplification, it should be understood that any number of acoustic resonators 510 spanning length L3 (or different lengths) can be integrated within the end / cover portion 302. For example, the acoustic resonator 510 is shown as a portion extending across the outer periphery of the end / cover portion 302 (such as in...). Figure 5F The outermost perimeter is shown in the cross-section at line B-B'. Additional acoustic resonators may extend across other portions of this perimeter, spanning the same length L3 (or different lengths). For example, additional acoustic resonators may be formed in the bottom portion of the outer housing 504-2, which is shown having the same... Figure 5E The shaft portion 320 has the same thickness T1. In such an example, the additional acoustic resonator will be formed across the periphery of the end / cover portion 302 opposite to the portion of the periphery used to form the acoustic resonator 510. The additional acoustic resonator may span a length less than L3, equal to L3, or greater than L3. Notably, the acoustic resonator 506 may be attached at its distal ends (e.g., the first end shown on the left is attached to the outer housing 504-2, and the second end shown on the right is attached to the housing structure 502). In response to receiving vibrational energy transmitted from the haptic module 304 through the housing structure 502, the acoustic resonator 506 may undergo elastic deformation and vibrate to generate an acoustic signal while remaining fixed at both distal ends. In addition to deforming outward (e.g., away from the inner housing 504-1) in response to receiving a drive signal from the haptic module 304, the acoustic resonator 506 may deform inward (e.g., toward the inner housing 504-1) and periodically strike the air gap 522 during the generation of the acoustic signal.

[0114] When the stylus 300 is operating in beacon mode, the haptic module 304 can access the processor 306 ( Figure 5E The haptic module 304 receives an instruction (not shown) that optionally specifies a target detector, amplitude, frequency, and / or duration associated with the acoustic signal (e.g., based on a location request received from an electronic device). In response to receiving this instruction, the haptic module 304 may cause a block (not shown) coupled to the haptic drive shaft 530 (shown) to vibrate in the direction of a double-headed arrow labeled “inducing force” between the two ends 532-1 and 532-2 (shown by dashed lines) of the haptic module. These vibrations may correspond to a drive signal mechanically transmitted to the acoustic resonator 510 via a housing structure 502 (e.g., an uninterrupted material path between the module 304 and the resonator 510) that mechanically couples the haptic module 304 to it. In response to receiving the drive signal from the haptic module 304, the acoustic resonator 510 may vibrate at a specific frequency and / or amplitude for a specific duration (e.g., the frequency, amplitude, and / or duration specified in the location request) to generate an acoustic signal.

[0115] Figure 5E The cross-sectional side view shown illustrates the relative positions of components with respect to each other, such as the relative positioning of the haptic module 304 and the acoustic resonator 506, and the intermediate housing structure 502 that transmits drive signals from the haptic module 304 to the acoustic resonator 506, but does not limit the relative positions of any peripheral input device 102, stylus 202, or stylus 300 (as shown below). Figure 1 , 2 The external or internal housing geometry (as described in section 3). For example, the external housing of peripheral input device 102, stylus 202, or stylus 300 may have a triangular, rectangular, or other polygonal cross-sectional geometry (e.g., the cross-section of the external housing may have any polygonal shape in the end / cover portion 302). In other examples, the external housing of the peripheral input device or stylus may have a circular or elliptical external housing geometry, or a combination of polygonal and circular / elliptical external housing geometries (e.g., one or more portions of the cross-section of the external housing are polygonal, and different portions of the cross-section are circular / elliptical). Similarly, the internal housing of the peripheral device or the cavity formed within the external housing structure may have any cross-sectional geometry (e.g., polygonal, circular, elliptical, a combination of polygonal and circular / elliptical, etc.). Figure 5F In the examples, the outer and inner shell structures are shown as having substantially circular cross-sectional geometry for illustrative purposes only, and purely to avoid unnecessary confusion in this disclosure due to more complex geometries.

[0116] Figure 5F Examples from this disclosure are shown. Figure 5E The transition area, along Figure 5E An enlarged view of the simplified cross-sectional side view of the A-A' and B-B' axes. (Source: [Original Source Name]) Figure 5EThe transition region TR3 shows the area where the shaft portion 320 connects to the end / cover portion 302 and where the outer housing 504-2 connects to the acoustic resonator 508 (to form a single continuous structure). Within the shaft portion 320 of the transition region TR3, the outer housing 504-2 may have a thickness T1. Additionally, within the shaft portion 320 of the transition region TR3, the outer housing 504-2 and the inner housing 504-1 may be separated by an air gap 526. In the end / cover portion 302, the acoustic resonator 510 may have a thickness T2 less than T1. The outer housing 504-2 with thickness T1 may extend into a portion of the end / cover portion 302, as shown. This extension of the outer housing 504-2 into portion 302 may have a notch with a thickness T5, representing the depth of the cut from the outer housing 504-2 defining the notch. The extension of the outer housing 504-2 into portion 302 can separate the inner housing 504-1 by a thickness T4 in the end / cover portion 302 (and define another air gap). The acoustic resonator 510 is separated from the inner housing 504-1 by an air gap 528. The air gap associated with thickness T4 can be connected to an air gap 526. Because the acoustic resonator 510 has a thickness T2 that is reduced relative to T1, and has an air gap 528 between itself and the inner housing 504-1, a drive signal from the haptic module 304 can cause the resonator 510 to vibrate to generate an acoustic signal. Additionally, the air gap 528 is connected to the air gap 526 (e.g., through the air gap between the outer housing 504-2 and the inner housing 504-1 in the end / cover region 302), thereby improving the acoustic performance of the resonator 510. In some examples, the drive signal from the haptic module 304 can be designed to cause the acoustic resonator 510 to vibrate at a resonant frequency associated with the resonator. In other examples, the drive signal from the haptic module 304 may be configured to cause the acoustic resonator 510 to vibrate at a frequency specified in a location request received from the electronic device.

[0117] along Figure 5E A cross-sectional side view along the A-A' axis shows that the outer housing 504-2 has a circular perimeter (at least in section 500-3). However, the perimeter (and overall shape) of the outer housing 504-2 may have any other shape / geometry. For example, without departing from the scope of the examples of this disclosure, the outer housing 504-2 may have a triangular, square, polygonal, elliptical, or other perimeter. In some examples, the outer housing 504-2 may have a uniform thickness T1 along its entire outer perimeter, such as... Figure 5FAs shown, however, in some examples the thickness may be uneven (e.g., in the case of a notch). Specifically, a notch with a thickness T5 extends across a portion / fan-shaped portion of the outer periphery of the outer housing 504-2. A similar notch may be formed at the other end of the end / cover portion 302 (e.g., the region of portion 302 between the haptic module 304 and the acoustic resonator 510). The formation of the notch results in the removal of a portion of the outer periphery of the outer housing 504-2, which effectively thins the fan-shaped / segment of the inner periphery of the outer housing 504-2 to a thickness equal to the difference between T1 and T5 (e.g., T1 minus T5). In some examples, the thinned fan-shaped / segment of the inner periphery of the outer housing 504-2 associated with the notch may extend across a portion / fan-shaped portion of the outer housing 504-2. Figure 5F Show larger or smaller sectors / sections.

[0118] An air gap 528 with a thickness T4 is shown located below a specific sector or segment on the inner periphery of the outer housing 504-2. Typically, the air gap 528 may extend between different / additional sectors or segments in the region between the outer housing 504-2 and the inner housing 504-1. The inner housing 504-1 may be positioned within a cavity defined inside the outer housing 504-2 and may be shaped to accommodate the air gap 528 with a thickness T4. In some examples, where additional air gaps 528 are formed between the outer housing 504-2 and the inner housing 504-1, the inner housing 504-1 may have different shapes to accommodate the formation of these additional air gaps.

[0119] along Figure 5E The cross-sectional side view along the B-B' axis can be substantially similar to that along the B-B' axis. Figure 5B The cross-sectional side view of the B-B' axis shown (e.g., combined with) Figure 5A ), and no longer repeat details to avoid unnecessary repetition (e.g., for the sake of brevity).

[0120] The section of the inner shell 504-1 surrounding the outer shell, below the section that thins to thickness T2, is indicated by a dashed line to show that this portion of the inner shell 504-1 can be omitted. Figure 5B In the exemplary configuration shown, where the outer and inner shells have substantially circular cross-sectional geometry (for simplicity), the optionally omitted portion of the inner shell 504-1 can be a circular sector. In the example where the dashed sector of the inner shell 504-1 is omitted, the air gap 528 extends into the entire cavity formed by the inner shell 504-1. However, in other examples, the dashed sector of the inner shell 504-1 is formed of a material (such as...) Figure 5E As shown), and the air gap 528 extends between the acoustic resonator 510 (e.g., a portion of the outer housing 504-2 having a thickness T2) and the inner housing 504-1.

[0121] Figure 6A A view of an exemplary acoustic resonator integrated into the cover portion of an active stylus, according to an example of this disclosure, is shown. Figure 6A The left side shows a cross-sectional side view along the length of the cover portion 302, which includes a tactile module 304 and an acoustic resonator 602 positioned to the right of the tactile module 304. Figure 6A The right side shows a perspective view of the uncovered cylindrical structure 600 within the covered portion, more clearly showing the acoustic resonator 602. The uncovered cylindrical structure 600 may have a cross-sectional geometry having a circular outer perimeter and a circular inner perimeter (e.g., the perimeter to which the acoustic resonator 602 is attached). However, in some examples, the uncovered cylindrical structure 600 has different cross-sectional geometries. Specifically, any circular ring of the cross-section of the uncovered cylindrical structure 600 can be replaced by any other suitable cross-sectional shape / geometry and elongated to fill the dimensions of the structure, as shown in the cross-sectional side view (e.g., Figure 6A As shown on the left). For example, the cross-section of structure 600 may have an elliptical or polygonal outer perimeter (or an outer perimeter combining circular / elliptical and polygonal geometry), and an elliptical or polygonal inner perimeter (or an inner perimeter combining circular / elliptical and polygonal geometry). In some examples, the outer perimeter of the cross-section of structure 600 may have the same geometry as the inner perimeter of the cross-section of the outer housing of the stylus or peripheral input device (e.g., structure 600 may be structurally configured to mate with a cavity in the end / cover region of the stylus or peripheral input device).

[0122] Figure 6B Another perspective view shows an unsealed cylindrical structure 600 within the cover portion, which includes an acoustic resonator 602. Similar to... Figures 5A-5F Acoustic resonators 506, 508, and 510, and acoustic resonator 602 can act as a diaphragm, which undergoes elastic deformation to vibrate at a certain frequency based on a drive signal provided by haptic module 304. Specifically, haptic module 304 can cause a block connected to a drive shaft between its two ends (indicated by dashed lines) to vibrate along an axis labeled "inducing force." These vibrations from haptic module 304 can be used as a drive signal, which can cause... Figures 5A-5FAcoustic resonators 506, 508, and 510 vibrate and generate acoustic signals at a specified frequency and / or amplitude for a specified duration (e.g., specified in a location request received from another electronic device at stylus 300). The same vibration from haptic module 304 can be used as a drive signal that causes acoustic resonator 602 to vibrate and generate an acoustic signal, although acoustic resonator 602 is not mechanically coupled to haptic module 304. Typically, the air gap between haptic module 304 and resonator 602 can be considered analogous to a transmission mechanism for transmitting the vibratory motion of the haptic block of haptic module 304 (e.g., the drive signal generated by haptic module 304) to acoustic resonator 602. Specifically, the change in air pressure caused by the vibrational movement of the haptic module 304 displacing the air around it (e.g., caused by the movement of the distal end of the haptic drive shaft or other structures in contact with the air around the haptic module 304) can cause the acoustic resonator 602 to undergo elastic deformation and vibrate with amplitude, frequency and / or duration based on the vibrational movement of the haptic module 304 (e.g., drive signal).

[0123] In some examples, the acoustic resonator 602 may be connected to the cylindrical structure 600 along its circular boundary. Therefore, the acoustic resonator 602 can be considered as acting as a diaphragm that vibrates at a frequency and / or amplitude based on vibrations generated by a drive signal from the haptic module 304 in the air between the haptic module 304 and the resonator 602. In some examples, the acoustic resonator 602 may be exposed to air outside the stylus at the cover portion of the end / cover portion 302. However, in other examples, the acoustic resonator 602 may be covered.

[0124] Figure 6C A view of an exemplary cover for a cap portion of an active stylus is shown, according to an example of this disclosure. Figure 6C The covering according to Figure 6B The same perspective view is shown. In other words, the acoustic resonator 602 can be... Figure 6B The cylindrical structure 600 shown is formed at the same relative position within the cylindrical structure 600, but because the structure 600 is located at... Figure 6C The cover is sealed and not visible. The cover 606-1 may include an opening 608, which is shown as... Figure 6CA circular opening on the left. In some examples, opening 608 may have any shape / geometry and, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, may be, for example, a square, polygonal, or elliptical opening. Opening 608 allows vibrations in the air generated at acoustic resonator 602 (e.g., vibrations of resonator 602 caused by a drive signal from haptic module 304) to dissipate, and thus become more easily heard by the target detector of the acoustic signal. Cover 606-2 does not include any openings and completely covers cylindrical structure 600 and acoustic resonator 602. Generally, opening 608 of cover 606-1 improves the audibility of any vibrations in the air generated at acoustic resonator 602, thereby improving its acoustic performance relative to cover 606-2.

[0125] Figure 7A A view is shown of an exemplary acoustic resonator integrated into the cover portion of an active stylus according to an example of this disclosure, the acoustic resonator having a modified resonant diaphragm. Similar to... Figures 5A-6B Acoustic resonators 506, 508, 510, and 602, with acoustic resonator 702 acting as a diaphragm, undergo elastic deformation to vibrate at a certain frequency based on a drive signal provided by haptic module 304. Specifically, haptic module 304 causes a block connected to a drive shaft to vibrate between its two ends (indicated by dashed lines) along an axis labeled "inducible force." These vibrations from haptic module 304 can be used as a drive signal that causes... Figures 5A-6B Acoustic resonators 506, 508, 510, and 602 vibrate and generate an acoustic signal at a specified frequency and / or amplitude (e.g., specified in a position request received from another electronic device at stylus 300) for a specified duration. The same vibration from haptic module 304 can be used as a drive signal to cause acoustic resonator 702 to vibrate and generate an acoustic signal.

[0126] The acoustic resonator 702 can be connected to a subset of the cylindrical structure 700 instead of the entire cylindrical structure. For example, Figure 7AAn acoustic resonator 702 is shown to be connected to a cylindrical structure 700 only along two sectors / sections of the circular boundary of the structure 700. As shown, the two sectors / sections of the cylindrical structure 700 to which the acoustic resonator 702 may be attached / connected may be opposite each other (e.g., opposite ends of the diameter of the cylindrical structure 700). A gap 704 extends along most of the circular boundary of the cylindrical structure 700, such that the acoustic resonator 702 is not attached to the cylindrical structure 700 except for the aforementioned two sectors / sections. Similar to acoustic resonator 602, acoustic resonator 702 can serve as a diaphragm that vibrates at a frequency and / or amplitude based on vibrations generated in the cylindrical structure 700 by a drive signal from the tactile module 304. In some examples, acoustic resonator 702 may additionally or alternatively vibrate at a frequency and / or amplitude based on vibrations generated in the air (e.g., an air gap) between the tactile module 304 and the resonator 702 by a drive signal from the tactile module 304. Typically, the air gap between the haptic module 304 and the resonator 702 can be considered analogous to a transmission mechanism for transmitting the vibratory motion of the haptic block of the haptic module 304 (e.g., a drive signal generated by the haptic module 304) to the acoustic resonator 702. Specifically, changes in air pressure caused by the displacement of the air around the haptic module 304 due to the vibratory motion of the haptic module 304 (e.g., caused by the movement of the distal end of the haptic drive shaft or other structures in contact with the air around the haptic module 304) can cause the acoustic resonator 702 to undergo elastic deformation and vibrate with amplitude, frequency, and / or duration based on the vibratory motion of the haptic module 304 (e.g., the drive signal). In some examples, the acoustic resonator 702 may be exposed to air at the cover portion of the end / cover portion 302. However, in other examples, the acoustic resonator 702 may be covered. In particular, the acoustic resonator 702 may be covered with... Figure 6C The cover 606-1 shown has an opening 608, or is covered with Figure 6C The cover shown is 606-2, which has no openings.

[0127] The cylindrical structure 700 may have a cross-sectional geometry having a circular outer perimeter and a circular inner perimeter (e.g., the perimeters of the acoustic resonator 702 attached at opposite ends corresponding to the diameter). However, in some examples, the cylindrical structure 700 has different cross-sectional geometries. Specifically, any circular ring of the cross-section of the uncapped cylindrical structure 700 may be replaced by any other suitable cross-sectional shape / geometry and elongated such that it fills the dimensions of the structure, as shown in the cross-sectional side view (e.g., Figure 7AAs shown on the left). For example, the cross-section of structure 700 may have an elliptical or polygonal outer perimeter (or an outer perimeter combining circular / elliptical and polygonal geometry), and an elliptical or polygonal inner perimeter (or an inner perimeter combining circular / elliptical and polygonal geometry). In some examples, the outer perimeter of the cross-section of structure 700 may have the same geometry as the inner perimeter of the cross-section of the outer housing of the stylus or peripheral input device (e.g., structure 700 may be structurally configured to mate with a cavity in the end / cover region of the stylus or peripheral input device).

[0128] Figure 7B Shown on the left Figure 7A The cover portion is shown in a cross-sectional side view along the A-A' axis. As shown in this view, the acoustic resonator 702 can be attached to the cylindrical structure 700 (e.g., the outer circular boundary) in two sectors / parts that are opposite to each other (e.g., opposite ends of the diameter of the cylindrical structure 700). Figure 7B Another perspective view of a cylindrical structure 700 with an acoustic resonator 702 and a gap 704 is also shown.

[0129] Figure 8A A cross-sectional perspective view of the haptic module of an active stylus according to an example of this disclosure is shown. Section 800 of the end / cap portion 302 includes a haptic module 304 having a drive shaft 812. The aforementioned haptic module 304 can vibrate, or oscillate between its ends to generate vibrations. These vibrations (sometimes referred to as drive signals, harmonic forced signals, or harmonic forced pulses) can be transmitted or propagated to the stylus's acoustic resonator (e.g., Figure 3 Acoustic resonator 303, Figures 5A-5F Acoustic resonators 506, 508, and 510, acoustic resonator 602 of Figure 6, and / or acoustic resonator 702 of Figure 7). In some examples, such as combining Figures 5A-5F The acoustic resonators 506, 508, and 510 are used as examples. The haptic module 304 can be mechanically coupled to the resonators and its vibrations (e.g., drive signals) can be transmitted / transmitted to the resonators via a mechanical structure between the module and the resonators. In other examples, such as in combination with the acoustic resonator 602 of FIG. 6 and / or the acoustic resonator 702 of FIG. 7, the haptic module 304 can cause the surrounding air to vibrate, and the vibrating air (e.g., drive signals) can cause the resonators to vibrate.

[0130] The tactile module 304 enables the tactile block 806 to vibrate between two ends (e.g., ends 532-1 and 532-2) indicated by dashed lines in some of the above figures. These dashed lines may correspond to mechanical springs 810-1 and 810-2 (such as helical coil springs) located at opposite ends of the tactile module 304. The tactile block 806 may vibrate within the tactile module 304 and may include an integrated tactile drive shaft 812 that contacts the mechanical springs 810-1 and 810-2. Electromagnetic elements (e.g., tactile drive coil 808) surrounding the outer surface of the tactile block 806 having the integrated tactile drive shaft 812 may receive electrical signals that cause the tactile block 806 and shaft 812 to vibrate between the mechanical springs 810-1 and 810-2 at a specific amplitude and / or frequency for a specific duration. In some examples, the structure of the resonant mode of the tactile module 304 may be designed to have tactile operation (e.g., in combination with...) Figure 4 The exemplary tactile frequency range described) and for acoustic operation (e.g., combined with Figure 4The description describes the separated frequency response peaks within an exemplary audible frequency range. In some examples, such as when the stylus 300 operates in a default mode, the haptic module 304 may vibrate to produce haptic feedback. In some such examples, the haptic module 304 may vibrate at frequencies below 500 Hz, such as between 80 Hz and 300 Hz. However, this range is exemplary, and any other frequency range can be used to vibrate the haptic module 304 to produce haptic feedback for the user of the stylus 300. As previously discussed, the frequency response peaks within a selected frequency range can be used to determine the operating frequency of the haptic module 304 to provide improved / optimal haptic feedback to the user. For example, a frequency response peak in the exemplary haptic frequency range of 100 Hz–300 Hz for haptic operation (e.g., when the stylus operates in haptic mode) may occur or be observed at 136.7 Hz or approximately 140 Hz. In such examples, operating the haptic module 304 at approximately 140 Hz may result in improved / optimal haptic feedback for the user. In some examples, haptic feedback can be generated when a user performs a gesture using the stylus 300 in the default mode of stylus operation or selects a specific element displayed on the touch-sensitive surface of an electronic device using the stylus 300. Based on the above description, the haptic module 304 may correspond to a linear resonant actuator (LRA) that can move the haptic block 806 back and forth between its ends based on an electrical signal provided to a magnetic haptic drive coil 808 surrounding the haptic block 806. In some examples, the haptic block 806 is magnetized (e.g., a permanent magnet), and the haptic drive coil 808 receiving such an electrical signal can cause the haptic block 806 (and the haptic drive shaft 812) to travel in either direction along an axis labeled “inducing force.” In some examples, the electrical signal provided to the haptic drive coil 808 is an alternating current signal or a periodic signal (e.g., a voltage pulse having a square, sinusoidal, sawtooth, or other shape and any suitable duty cycle). In some examples, the electrical signal has an associated frequency and / or amplitude that may correspond to the desired frequency and / or amplitude of the acoustic resonator (e.g., the electrical signal used to induce vibration at the haptic module 304 may be based on a position request received at a peripheral input device or stylus).

[0131] As described above, the amplitude, frequency, phase, and / or duration of the vibration can optionally be determined by another device (e.g., Figure 2The electronic device 220) specifies the location request received at the stylus 300. The haptic module 304 can cause the haptic block 806 attached to the haptic drive shaft 812 to oscillate in such a way that an acoustic resonator coupled to receive drive signals from the haptic module vibrates at a specific frequency, amplitude, and / or duration (e.g., specified in the location request) corresponding to an acoustic signal detectable by a target detector. For example, a frequency response peak in the exemplary audible frequency range of 5.5 kHz–7 kHz for acoustic signal generation (e.g., when the stylus is operating in beacon mode) may occur or be observed at 6.2 kHz. In such examples, operating the haptic module 304 at approximately 6.2 kHz produces an improved / optimal acoustic signal generation that is most easily heard by the user (and in some examples, another electronic device).

[0132] The haptic module 304 can generate vibrations for a target detector used by a user or for a target detector used by an electronic device. (As described above...) Figure 4 The discussion suggests that different corresponding frequency ranges can be used based on a specified target detector. As discussed above... Figure 4 and Figure 8A The response peaks in the haptic module 304 discussed herein can be designed to target different ranges of frequencies based on a specified target detector. This is in addition to generating signals that can be mechanically transmitted or transferred to, for example... Figures 5A-5F In addition to the vibrations of the acoustic resonators of 506, 508, and 510 (e.g., via an intermediate structure), the tactile module 304 can vibrate the surrounding air via its tactile drive shaft 812 and mechanical springs 810-1 and 810-2. The tactile drive shaft 812 can displace and vibrate the air in contact with its surface area, which is shown as a circular area with a diameter D1 (and the surface area of ​​the helical coil).

[0133] Figure 8BA cross-sectional perspective view of a tactile module according to an example of this disclosure is shown, the tactile module having an enlarged pressure plate coupled to its drive shaft. A portion 850 of the end / cover portion 302 includes a tactile module 304 having a standard drive shaft coupled to the enlarged pressure plate. To increase the amount of air that can be displaced and vibrated by movement of the tactile drive shaft 812, the enlarged pressure plate 814 may be fixed to at least one end of the tactile drive shaft 812, thereby effectively increasing its surface area to a circular region having a diameter D2 greater than D1. By attaching or coupling the plate 814 to the tactile drive shaft 812, vibration of the tactile module 304 can displace a greater amount of air. In some examples, the plate 814 may be perforated. In such examples, the plate 814 may include at least one perforation (e.g., a circular, elliptical, or polygonal perforation) forming an opening through two opposing faces of the plate 814. In the example where plate 814 includes multiple perforations, the perforations may cluster around specific areas of the plate (e.g., areas that would cause less air displacement when moved in the direction of the induced force), or the perforations may be evenly distributed. Figure 8A and 8B As shown, mechanical springs 810-1 and 810-2 may have helical cuts. In some examples, plate 814 covers more cuts than in the case of only tactile drive shaft 812, due to the larger diameter D2 of plate 814 relative to the diameter D1 of tactile drive shaft 812. To reduce or otherwise adjust the area of ​​air displaced by the movement of plate 814 combined with the movement of tactile drive shaft 812, one or more perforations may be incorporated into plate 814, as described above. In other words, the size and / or density of the perforations in plate 814 can affect the transmission of the drive signal generated by tactile module 304 through air gaps for generating acoustic signals for acoustic resonators 602 and / or 702. In addition to (or instead of) such perforations, plate 814 may be shaped in a manner that affects the transmission of the drive signal, such as being flat, curved, tapered, or formed in another shape.

[0134] Therefore, based on the foregoing, some examples of this disclosure relate to a stylus comprising: a housing, one or more electrodes disposed at a first end of the housing, a wireless communication circuit, and an acoustic resonator disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end, wherein the acoustic resonator is configured to generate an acoustic signal in response to a request received by the wireless communication circuit. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the stylus further includes a haptic module coupled to the acoustic resonator, the haptic module being configured to generate a drive signal that causes the acoustic resonator to generate an acoustic signal. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the haptic module is mechanically coupled to the acoustic resonator via a housing structure inserted between the haptic module and the acoustic resonator. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the haptic module is coupled to the acoustic resonator via an air gap between the haptic module and the acoustic resonator. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the haptic module includes: a drive shaft, and a block formed around the drive shaft, the block being configured to vibrate in the direction of an induced force between two opposite ends of the haptic module, wherein the vibration of the block causes a surface region of the drive shaft to displace air within the housing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the drive shaft has a first diameter, and the haptic module further includes: a plate having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, coupled to a surface region of the drive shaft, wherein the vibration of the block causes a surface region of the plate to displace air within the housing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the plate includes at least one perforation.

[0135] In some examples of this disclosure, the housing includes: an outer housing having a first thickness at a first end of the housing, wherein the acoustic resonator is formed by at least a portion of the outer housing having a second thickness less than the first thickness at a second end of the housing, and wherein the at least portion includes at least a portion of the outer periphery of the outer housing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the housing includes: an inner housing, and at least one air gap between the inner housing and the at least portion of the outer housing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the housing includes: an outer housing spanning the first end and the second end of the housing, and divided into a first portion corresponding to the first end and a second portion corresponding to the second end, wherein the outer housing has a first thickness in the first portion; an inner housing spanning between the first end and the second end of the housing; a first air gap between the first portion of the outer housing and the inner housing; and a second air gap between the second portion of the outer housing and the inner housing, wherein the outer housing has a second thickness less than the first thickness in the second portion, and wherein the second air gap is between the acoustic resonator and the inner housing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the first air gap and the second air gap are continuous in the transition region below the boundary between the first and second portions of the outer housing.

[0136] In some examples of this disclosure, the housing includes: an outer housing spanning a first end and a second end of the housing and divided into a first portion corresponding to the first end and a second portion corresponding to the second end, wherein the outer housing has a first thickness in the first portion; an inner housing spanning between the first end and the second end of the housing, wherein the inner housing contacts the outer housing in the first portion; and an air gap between the second portion of the outer housing and the inner housing, wherein the outer housing has a second thickness in the second portion less than the first thickness, and wherein the air gap is between an acoustic resonator and the inner housing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic resonator is configured to generate an acoustic signal in response to receiving a drive signal. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the housing includes: a cover portion at the second end of the housing, wherein the cover portion includes an opening having a boundary perimeter. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic resonator includes: a diaphragm integrally attached to the cover portion along the boundary perimeter. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic resonator includes: a diaphragm attached to a cover portion at a first portion along the periphery of the opening boundary and a second portion along the periphery of the opening boundary, wherein a gap separates the diaphragm from the cover portion at other portions along the periphery of the boundary. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic resonator is configured to generate an acoustic signal of a specific frequency based on a request. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the specific frequency is selected from the audible frequency range associated with human hearing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the specific frequency is selected from a sub-range of the audible range, corresponding to frequencies associated with enhanced loudness perception. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the specific frequency is selected from the detectable frequency range associated with an acoustic transducer of an electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the specific frequency is selected from a sub-range of the detectable range, corresponding to frequencies associated with low-noise detection performed by the acoustic transducer. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the specific frequency is outside the frequency range associated with human hearing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the specific frequency is based on a target detector specified in the request. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic resonator is configured to generate an acoustic signal of a specific amplitude based on the request. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic resonator is configured to generate an acoustic signal of a specific duration based on the request. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic resonator is configured to generate an acoustic signal based on a target detector specified in the request.

[0137] Some examples relate to a device comprising: one or more acoustic transducers; a wireless communication circuit configured to communicate with a peripheral device including an acoustic resonator; and processing circuitry coupled to the wireless communication circuitry and the one or more acoustic transducers, the processing circuitry being configured to: when the device uses the wireless communication circuitry to communicate with the peripheral device, cause the peripheral device to generate an acoustic signal using the acoustic resonator, and use the acoustic signal generated by the one or more acoustic resonators to detect the peripheral device within a threshold distance of the device or to estimate the position of the peripheral device relative to the device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the peripheral device is a stylus. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the device of claim 1 further comprises: a touch-sensitive surface configured to receive input from the peripheral device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more acoustic transducers sense an acoustic signal of a given frequency and a given amplitude, the given frequency being based on a specified frequency selected by the processing circuitry, and the given amplitude being based on a specified amplitude selected by the processing circuitry. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the given frequency is a frequency below the audible frequency range associated with human hearing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the given frequency is a frequency above the audible frequency range associated with human hearing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the given frequency is a frequency within the audible frequency range associated with human hearing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processing circuitry compares a given amplitude with a specified amplitude or determines the difference between the given amplitude and the specified amplitude to detect that the peripheral device is within a threshold distance of the device or to estimate the position of the peripheral device relative to the device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processor is further configured to estimate the position of the peripheral device relative to the device based on the difference between the given amplitude and the specified amplitude and further based on a sound propagation model describing the attenuation characteristics of the acoustic signal over multiple distances. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processing circuitry detects that the peripheral device is within a threshold distance of the device or estimates the position of the peripheral device relative to the device based on comparisons of multiple outputs from the one or more acoustic transducers. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processing circuitry is further configured to estimate the orientation of the peripheral device relative to the device using multiple outputs from the one or more acoustic transducers, wherein at least a portion of the multiple outputs corresponds to an acoustic signal generated by an acoustic resonator sensed by the one or more acoustic transducers, and wherein the one or more acoustic transducers are located at different corresponding locations within the device.

[0138] In some examples of this disclosure, the processing circuitry is further configured to generate a request containing a specified frequency and a specified amplitude, and to transmit the request to the processing circuitry to cause a peripheral device to generate an acoustic signal at the specified frequency and specified amplitude. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers has a frequency band associated with improved sensing, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to automatically select a frequency within the frequency band associated with improved sensing. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the frequency band associated with improved sensing corresponds to a frequency that one of the one or more acoustic transducers can sense at a minimum power level. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the frequency band associated with improved sensing corresponds to a frequency that one of the one or more acoustic transducers can sense at a minimum noise level. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the frequency band associated with improved sensing corresponds to a frequency that one of the one or more acoustic transducers can sense at a maximum accuracy level. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processing circuitry is further configured to select a user as a target detector for the acoustic signal. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more acoustic transducers sense an acoustic signal at a given phase, wherein the given phase is based on a specified phase selected by processing circuitry. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processing circuitry compares the given phase with the specified phase or determines the difference between the given phase and the specified phase to detect that the peripheral device is within a threshold distance of the device or to estimate the position of the peripheral device relative to the device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processor is further configured to estimate the position of the peripheral device relative to the device based on the difference between the given phase and the specified phase and further based on triangulation or multi-point positioning. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processing circuitry is further configured to estimate the position of the peripheral device relative to the device based on the difference between the given phase and the specified phase and further based on arrival time or time difference of arrival. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more acoustic transducers measure acoustic signals in the time domain, wherein processing circuitry converts the acoustic signals measured in the time domain to the frequency domain, and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to analyze the acoustic signals in the frequency domain to detect a peripheral device within a threshold distance of the device or to estimate the position of the peripheral device relative to the device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the processing circuitry is configured to analyze the acoustic signals in the frequency domain to estimate the speed of the peripheral device relative to the device based on the frequency of arrival or the difference between the frequencies of arrival.

[0139] Some examples relate to a method comprising: at an electronic device including wireless communication circuitry: generating a location request for a peripheral device and transmitting the location request to the peripheral device using the wireless communication circuitry; and at the peripheral device including an acoustic resonator: receiving the location request and, in response to receiving the location request, generating an acoustic signal using the acoustic resonator. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, generating the location request comprises: at the electronic device: selecting a target detector and selecting a frequency of the acoustic signal based on the target detector, selecting an amplitude of the acoustic signal based on the target detector, and including the selected frequency and amplitude in the location request. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the method further comprises selecting a user as the target detector and selecting an audible frequency from a frequency range associated with human hearing as the frequency of the acoustic signal. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the method also comprises: selecting an electronic device as the target detector and selecting a sensing frequency from a frequency range associated with improved sensing at the electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the method further includes: at the electronic device, one or more acoustic transducers: using at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers to measure an acoustic signal generated by a peripheral device, and detecting the peripheral device within a threshold distance of the device or estimating the position of the peripheral device relative to the device based on the acoustic signal measured by the at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, estimating the position of the peripheral device includes: at the electronic device, a memory is included: retrieving a first amplitude value specified in a location request from the memory, determining a second amplitude value associated with the acoustic signal measured by the at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers, and estimating that the peripheral device is located at an estimated specific distance from the electronic device based on a comparison of the first amplitude value and the second amplitude value. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, estimating that the peripheral device is located at a specific distance from the electronic device includes: at the electronic device: retrieving a sound propagation model from the memory, and determining the specific distance based on the sound propagation model, the first amplitude value, and the second amplitude value. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, estimating the location of a peripheral device includes estimating the orientation of the peripheral device relative to an electronic device, and determining the relative position of the peripheral device based on the estimated specific distance and the estimated orientation.Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, measuring an acoustic signal generated by a peripheral device using at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers includes measuring the acoustic signal using a first acoustic transducer of the one or more acoustic transducers, the method further comprising: measuring the acoustic signal generated by the peripheral device using a second acoustic transducer of the one or more acoustic transducers, and estimating the orientation of the peripheral device relative to the electronic device based on the acoustic signal measured using the first acoustic transducer of the one or more acoustic transducers and the acoustic signal measured using the second acoustic transducer of the one or more acoustic transducers.

[0140] While the disclosed examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that such changes and modifications are considered to be included within the scope of the disclosed examples as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stylus comprising: a housing; one or more electrodes disposed at a first end of the housing; wireless communication circuitry; a haptic module; and an acoustic resonator disposed at a second end of the housing opposite the first end and coupled to the haptic module; wherein the haptic module is configured to generate a drive signal for causing the acoustic resonator to generate an acoustic signal in response to a request received by the wireless communication circuitry, and the acoustic resonator is configured to generate the acoustic signal in response to the request received by the wireless communication circuitry.

2. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the haptic module is mechanically coupled to the acoustic resonator via a housing structure interposed between the haptic module and the acoustic resonator.

3. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the haptic module comprises: a drive shaft; and a mass formed around the drive shaft, the mass configured to vibrate along a direction of an induced force between two opposing ends of the haptic module, wherein the vibration of the mass causes a surface area of the drive shaft to displace air within the housing.

4. The stylus of claim 3, wherein the drive shaft has a first diameter, and wherein the haptic module further comprises: a plate having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the plate coupled to the surface area of the drive shaft, wherein the vibration of the mass causes a surface area of the plate to displace air within the housing.

5. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: an outer housing having a first thickness at a first end of the housing, wherein the acoustic resonator is formed by at least a portion of the outer housing having a second thickness less than the first thickness at a second end of the housing, wherein the at least a portion comprises at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the outer housing.

6. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: an outer housing spanning between the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing and divided into a first portion corresponding to the first end and a second portion corresponding to the second end, wherein the outer housing has a first thickness at the first portion; an inner housing spanning between the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing; a first air gap between the first portion of the outer housing and the inner housing; and a second air gap between the second portion of the outer housing and the inner housing, wherein the outer housing has a second thickness less than the first thickness at the second portion, and wherein the second air gap is between the acoustic resonator and the inner housing.

7. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic resonator is configured to generate the acoustic signal in response to receiving a drive signal.

8. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic resonator comprises: ​ ​ ​ a septum attached to a cover portion of the housing at the second end of the housing, wherein the septum is attached along at least a portion of a perimeter border of the cover portion.

9. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic resonator is configured to generate the acoustic signal at a particular frequency, a particular amplitude, or for a particular duration based on the request.

10. A device for locating a peripheral device, comprising: one or more acoustic transducers; wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate with a peripheral device comprising an acoustic resonator, the peripheral device comprising the stylus of claim 1; and processing circuitry coupled to the wireless communication circuitry and the one or more acoustic transducers, the processing circuitry configured to: cause the peripheral device to generate an acoustic signal using the acoustic resonator when the device is in communication with the peripheral device using the wireless communication circuitry; and detect that the peripheral device is within a threshold distance of the device or estimate a location of the peripheral device relative to the device using the acoustic signal generated by the one or more acoustic transducers.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising: a touch-sensitive surface configured to receive input from the peripheral device.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the one or more acoustic transducers sense the acoustic signal at a given frequency and a given amplitude, wherein the given frequency is based on a specified frequency selected by the processing circuitry, and wherein the given amplitude is based on a specified amplitude selected by the processing circuitry.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry detects that the peripheral device is within the threshold distance of the device or estimates the location of the peripheral device relative to the device based on a comparison of multiple outputs from the one or more acoustic transducers.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: estimate a direction of the peripheral device relative to the device using multiple outputs from the one or more acoustic transducers, wherein at least a portion of the multiple outputs correspond to the acoustic signal generated by the acoustic resonator sensed by the one or more acoustic transducers, and wherein the one or more acoustic transducers are at different respective locations within the device.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate a request containing a specified frequency and a specified amplitude; and communicate the request to the processing circuitry to cause the peripheral device to generate the acoustic signal at the specified frequency and the specified amplitude.

16. A method for locating a peripheral device, comprising: at an electronic device comprising wireless communication circuitry: generating a location request for a peripheral device, the peripheral device comprising the stylus of claim 1; and transmitting the location request to the peripheral device using the wireless communication circuitry; and at the peripheral device comprising an acoustic resonator: receiving the location request; and generating, using the acoustic resonator, an acoustic signal in response to receiving the location request.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein generating the location request comprises: at the electronic device: selecting a target detector; selecting a frequency of the acoustic signal based on the target detector; selecting an amplitude of the acoustic signal based on the target detector; and including the selected frequency and the selected amplitude into the location request.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: at the electronic device further comprising one or more acoustic transducers: measuring, using at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers, the acoustic signal generated by the peripheral device; and detecting, based on the acoustic signal measured by the at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers, that the peripheral device is within a threshold distance of the device or estimating a location of the peripheral device relative to the device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein estimating the location of the peripheral device comprises: at the electronic device further comprising a memory: retrieving, from the memory, a first amplitude value specified in the location request; determining a second amplitude value associated with the acoustic signal measured by the at least one of the one or more acoustic transducers; and based on a comparison of the first amplitude value and the second amplitude value, estimating that the peripheral device is located at a particular distance from the electronic device. ​ ​ ​

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