(12) United States Patent
`Varveris
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll 111111111111111 lllll 111111111111111 11111111
`US006249277Bl
`US 6,249,277 Bl
`Jun.19,2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) FINGER-MOUNTED STYLUS FOR
`COMPUTER TOUCH SCREEN
`
`5,940,066 * 8/1999 Weinblatt ............................. 345/179
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Nicholas G. Varveris, 538 Churchill
`Ave., Palo Alto, CA (US) 94301
`
`Copy of 2 pages from Internet, entitled "Fingertip Styles",
`by Concept Kitchen (date unknown)*.
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/176,619
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 21, 1998
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... G09G 5/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................ 345/179; 345/157; 401/8
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 345/156, 157,
`345/168, 173, 179, 184; 178/19.01, 19.02,
`19.03, 19.05, 19.06; 401/7, 8
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`12/1877 Briggs .
`198,484
`4/1887 Merrick .
`361,535
`4,654,648 * 3/1987 Herrington et al. ................. 345/179
`4,738,556 * 4/1988 Brown ...................................... 401/7
`4,780,707 * 10/1988 Selker .................................. 345/703
`4,954,817
`9/1990 Levine ................................. 340/706
`5,405,206
`4/1995 Bedol ....................................... 401/7
`5,627,648
`5/1997 Berkson et al.
`....................... 178/18
`5,635,682
`6/1997 Cherdak et al. ....................... 178/18
`5,706,026
`1/1998 Kent et al. ........................... 345/156
`5,868,509 * 2/1999 Crutcher ................................... 401/8
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Steven Saras
`Assistant Examiner-Fritz Alphonse
`(74) Attorney, Agent,
`or Firm-Skjerven Morrill
`MacPherson LLP; David E. Steuber
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A finger stylus for a touch screen includes a flexible non(cid:173)
`metallic elastic ring or a flexible, fabric-like strap having
`distal ends, each of the distal ends includes parts of an
`interconnect fastener such as a hooks and loops or a mag(cid:173)
`netic fastener. The ring or strap forms a wraparound for a
`human fingertip such that, in use, the bonding of the inter(cid:173)
`connect fastener parts about the fingertip or the elasticity of
`the ring firmly hold the strap against the fingertip. The ring
`or strap includes an intermediate portion including a loop(cid:173)
`hole extending from an exterior surface of the intermediate
`portion which receives a longitudinal stylus rod extending
`through the loophole in a semi-friction-fit connection with
`the loophole. The rod in use is positioned to extend through
`the loophole generally transversely to the strap and above
`and beyond a user's fingertip for touching a touch screen.
`The stylus rod is made of a non-marking material with
`generally rounded shaped ends.
`
`9 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`13a
`
`24
`
`10
`
`14 f 15
`
`◄ ...
`
`..,
`
`C
`
`.J
`\.,
`
`,J
`
`25 11
`
`23
`
`12
`
`13
`21
`22
`26
`
`\20
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 1 of 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.19,2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 6,249,277 Bl
`
`13
`
`32
`31
`
`23
`
`25
`
`II I
`
`I II
`
`\III I I
`
`FIG. 2
`
`11 b
`
`~
`11c
`
`14
`
`12
`
`16
`
`FIG. 3
`
`13a
`
`24
`
`\1\
`
`\ I
`
`12
`
`13
`21
`22
`26
`
`\20
`
`23
`
`FIG. 1
`
`17
`
`(J
`
`.J
`...
`
`.J
`
`... J
`
`"'I(
`
`J
`
`J
`
`C C ('
`
`.J .Y
`
`(J
`
`...
`
`... J
`
`14
`
`15
`
`11 a 12
`
`13
`
`.J
`
`... J
`
`15
`
`C C('
`
`-(
`
`J
`
`•-'
`
`.J
`
`J
`
`J
`
`(J
`
`J
`
`...
`
`.J
`
`... J
`
`"')<
`
`J
`
`C ((" -
`
`... (J
`
`------10
`
`18
`
`FIG. 4
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 2 of 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.19,2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 6,249,277 Bl
`
`,
`
`.,) ~
`
`32
`
`r
`J
`~ ,
`r
`
`r
`
`~
`
`,----30
`
`12
`
`37
`
`38
`39
`
`36
`
`FIG. 6
`
`' ~
`
`<.,
`
`32a
`
`FIG. 5
`
`'-'.,) r
`,
`
`~
`
`(' Ve..,
`
`r
`
`C-
`
`<.,
`
`<.,
`
`~
`
`44
`
`34
`
`FIG. 7
`
`51a
`~ )
`50J
`
`52 53
`~~I
`
`51b
`) ~
`
`FIG. 9
`
`12
`
`~ 40
`
`~
`
`FIG. 8
`
`15
`FIG. 10
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 3 of 7
`
`

`

`US 6,249,277 Bl
`
`1
`FINGER-MOUNTED STYLUS FOR
`COMPUTER TOUCH SCREEN
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`15
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to writing stylus for "touch screen"
`devices. "Touch screen" devices are devices that can sense
`and record when an object contacts their surface. The
`invention relates to such devices that sense and record or
`relay data when contacted by passive-non-electrical objects. 10
`Particularly, the invention is directed to a writing stylus for
`touch screen devices that the user can wear on or attach to
`their finger.
`2. Related Art
`Recently personal digital assistants ("PDA's") such as the
`Palm Pilot from 3COM, Microsoft Windows CE based
`handheld PC's, the Apple Newton, or personal organizers
`such as the Sharp Zaurus have been produced with touch
`sensitive screens. These computing devices typically include 20
`a simple wooden or plastic pen-type stylus with a non(cid:173)
`marking tip. The stylus is touched to the screen in order to
`act like a mouse (to move the cursor, highlight text, etc.) or
`to enter information ( characters for handwriting recognition,
`drawings, etc.). Anon-marking implement is used so that the 25
`screen of the device will not be scratched or damaged when
`touched. In addition, these pen-style styli must usually be
`over four inches (10 cm.) long to be properly supported by
`a user's hand. This requires a significant amount of space,
`within the case of a touch screen device, for storage of the 30
`stylus.
`Moreover, the stylus for such devices is often lost. Copies
`of the original stylus may or may not be available. Therefore
`replacement styli are necessary. In addition, existing styli are
`pen-shaped. This requires the user to stop what they are 35
`doing and pick up or put down these specialized styli when
`they wish to enter information in the touch screen device
`while doing other work such as typing or writing. In place
`of the normal stylus a user will occasionally use a fingertip
`as a stylus; unfortunately a fingertip is blunt and a user often 40
`cannot position their finger with sufficient accuracy to locate
`the cursor or enter other data where needed on the screen.
`Recently two patents have been issued regarding digital
`styli to the A T. Cross Company. These U.S. Pat. Nos.
`5,635,682 and 5,627,348 cover the creation of a replaceable 45
`non-marking stylus core in conventional pen-shaped writing
`instruments, and the composition of the non-marking stylus
`tip that will produce a "sound and feel" comparable to
`traditional writing on paper. Neither of these inventions
`contemplate the use of a non-marking stylus attached to or 50
`covering a portion of a user's finger.
`Other prior art contemplates the use of a writing
`implement, i.e., a pencil or pen, attached to a finger. For
`example, U.S. Pat. No. 198,484 of 1877 uses a perforated
`finger sleeve to attach a pen, "a pencil or other writing or 55
`marking instrument" to one's finger. Other patents, includ(cid:173)
`ing U.S. Pat. No. 361,535 of 1887, and U.S. Pat. No.
`5,405,206, use an assortment of rings, metal clamps or
`thimble type devices to attach writing instruments (most of
`which use ink or some other physical marking process) to 60
`one's finger. U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,556 uses a Velcro strap to
`secure a pen in-line with the end of a finger. A recent
`fingertip stylus device has been shown on the Internet. The
`device is a rotatable bent wire ring including a tip extension
`for contacting a touch screen. Still other prior art contem- 65
`plates the use of finger mounted writing implements for
`digital tablets, however, these patents contemplate use of
`
`2
`devices which gather or send electrical signals from the
`device tips and do not contemplate a passive, non-marking
`tip. These patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,817 and U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,706,026.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`Generally, the purpose of the device is to provide a stylus
`for touch screen devices that the user can wear on or
`attached to their finger. It will allow a user to enter data on
`a touch screen without having to hold a separate stylus or
`pen-type implement, and will allow users to type on a
`keyboard or hold a normal (marking) pen without having to
`remove or adjust the finger mounted stylus, hereinafter
`called the "finger stylus".
`The current invention provides a finger stylus that can be
`attached in a variety of ways to the user's finger. It uses a
`strap type body with an easily removable fastener (such as
`a Velcro® hook and loop type material, or a magnetic clasp)
`or can be an elastic fabric or rubber ring, each with a passive
`non-marking tip attached or incorporated therein. The
`device will be attached to or cover a portion of the finger.
`The device may be manufactured as two or more pieces so
`that the attachment or "strap" portion of the preferred
`embodiment of the device and the non-marking tip can be
`made of different materials. The attachment or "strap"
`portion of the device can be made entirely of plastic "Vel(cid:173)
`cro" material, or of rubber, leather, or fabric with Velcro
`material or other separable fastener at the ends. The non(cid:173)
`marking tip of the device extends outwardly from a position
`above or to the side of a user's finger and in a general
`parallel direction to the user's fingertip so as not to interfere
`with a user's ability to type or otherwise use the finger. Since
`the non-marking tip may wear down with use and require
`replacement, the finger stylus preferably has a replaceable
`non-marking tip. The non-marking tip may be made of
`different materials such as wood, plastic or hard rubber or a
`combination of these and be of different shapes so that it can
`work on different screen surfaces without marking. The
`non-marking finger mounted stylus can be used not only
`with self contained touch screen "PDA's", etc. but also with
`touch screen tablets or pads attached to other computing
`devices or computers, and other electrical devices incorpo(cid:173)
`rating touch screens such as cellular phones, etc.
`The present invention will allow a user to enter data on a
`touch screen without having to hold a separate stylus or pen
`type implement, and will allow a user to type on a keyboard
`or hold a normal (marking) pen without having to remove or
`adjust the finger mounted stylus. The finger stylus on the
`user's finger will not interfere with the user's ability to
`perform other work such as typing, traditional cursory
`writing with a pen, operating a computer mouse, etc. while
`the finger stylus remains affixed to the user's finger.
`The non-marking finger stylus can be rolled, unrolled,
`flattened or folded to a very small size so that it can be easily
`carried, or attached to or contained in touch screen devices,
`for example, by attaching the stylus fastening part to a
`complementary portion of Velcro material affixed to an edge
`of the computer screen or case. The finger stylus is adjust(cid:173)
`able longitudinally with respect to the user's finger so that
`the tip may accurately contact target areas of a touch screen
`device. The finger stylus is simple to use, inexpensive to
`make and is comfortable to wear or have attached to one's
`finger. The finger stylus cushions and redirects the impact
`force, resulting from the repetitive contact of the non(cid:173)
`marking tip with the screen, away from the tip of ones finger
`or finger nail. The non-marking tip can be extended or
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 4 of 7
`
`

`

`US 6,249,277 Bl
`
`3
`retracted various distances beyond the tip of the user's finger
`to adjust for various finger lengths, finger diameter and
`fingernail length. Non-marking tips of various materials and
`shapes are provided for contacting the surface of a particular
`touch screen device. The non-marking tip can be extended 5
`various distances to compensate for the erosion of the
`non-marking tip as the tip is used. The finger stylus is so
`light-in-weight, e.g., about 1.4 grams, that after a minute or
`so the user is no longer aware that it is on his or her fingertip.
`The finger stylus for a touch screen includes a flexible
`non-metallic elastic ring, or fabric-like strap having distal
`ends, each of the distal ends includes parts of an interconnect
`fastener such as a hooks and loops or a magnetic fastener.
`The strap forms a wraparound for a human fingertip such
`that, in use, the bonding of the interconnect fastener parts 15
`about the fingertip firmly hold the strap against the fingertip.
`The ring or strap includes an intermediate portion or loop
`including a loophole extending from an exterior surface of
`the intermediate portion which receives a longitudinal stylus
`rod extending through the loophole in a semi-friction-fit 20
`connection with the loophole. The rod in use is positioned to
`extend through the loophole generally transversely to the
`strap and above and beyond a user's fingertip for touching
`a touch screen.
`The distal ends of the strap can be crossed i.e., the ends 25
`being at an angle to each other, creating a funnel shape to
`compensate for the taper of a user's fingertip. This also helps
`keep the strap and stylus from slipping away from the tip of
`the finger as the stylus is used.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above mentioned purposes and advantages of the
`present invention will become apparent from the following
`description taken in connection with the accompanying
`drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
`finger stylus of the invention as temporarily affixed to a
`human fingertip.
`FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the FIG. 5 embodiment.
`FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the finger stylus and strap
`per se showing a friction ring portion of another embodi(cid:173)
`ment.
`FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a third embodiment.
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spring clip for holding
`the stylus rod in the third embodiment.
`FIG. 7 is a partial bottom view of the clip, the stylus rod
`and the strap.
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 9 is a partial side view of a fifth embodiment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ring embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 depicts a flexible strap-type finger stylus 10
`including a strap 11 having a stylus rod 12 with a non(cid:173)
`marking generally curved tip 13. The rod passes through a
`loophole 14a or a substantially half bend formed by two
`parallel through slits 15 in an intermediate portion lla (FIG.
`4) of the strap. The slits 15 extend from an upper surface llb
`of the flexible strap portion lla to the bottom surface llc of
`the strap 11. The distal ends 17, 18 of the strap include a
`
`4
`reusable interconnect fastener such as magnetic pads or a
`hooks and loops type fastener (such as that sold under the
`trademark Velcro® material).
`A plastic, fairly rigid rubber or wood non-marking stylus
`rod 12 having a non-marking tip 13 is inserted into and held
`in the loophole 14a in a semi-friction-fit. "Semi-friction-fit"
`as used herein means that the stylus rod will not appreciably
`shift in making stylus contact with a touch screen but it is
`movable by a user to a desired to and fro position by a user
`10 pulling or pushing the rod with respect to the loophole.
`As seen in FIG. 1 the finger stylus is preferably affixed to
`a user's finger 20 at a fingertip portion 25 extending out(cid:173)
`wardly from a first finger joint 24. The overall strap 11 in use
`preferably overlaps the base of fingernail 21 leaving the
`user's fingertip pad 23 exposed so that the strap does not
`interfere with typing or the tactile feel of the natural fingertip
`pad. The tip 13 of stylus rod 12 in use preferably extends
`beyond the tip 22 of fingernail 21 and the distal end 26 of the
`fingertip. While the stylus preferably extends over the finger
`top the strap or ring can be rotated to a position in either
`direction up to 90° so as not to grossly interfere with an
`adjacent finger.
`The strap and stylus rod per se are shown in FIGS. 3 and
`4. Loops of the hooks and loops fastener material are shown
`on one surface llb of the strap while the hooks are shown
`on the opposite surface llc of the strap. A loophole cover or
`pad 16 made of plastic, rubber, or fabric material may extend
`under the loophole and be affixed by an adhesive or comple-
`30 mentary hook or loop fabric fastener. The purpose of this pad
`is to smooth the underneath surface of the loopholes that
`contact the top or side of the finger. The pad can also provide
`additional friction with the stylus rod. It is relatively non(cid:173)
`stretchable and thus restricts stretching of the overlying band
`35 material. Also a friction pad or ring 49 (FIG. 3) may be
`inserted and affixed in the loophole with the stylus rod
`passing therethrough to keep the rod in place during touch(cid:173)
`ing of the touch screen while later permitting movement of
`the rod to adjust its position relative to the ring and the
`40 loophole.
`FIG. 2 illustrates the user's finger bottom facing the user's
`palm, where a modified embodiment of the strap is shown.
`As seen in FIG. 5 the distal ends 32 and 32a of the strap are
`narrower in width W 1 than the width W 2 of the intermediate
`45 portion 31 of the strap 30. This allows more of the whorls(cid:173)
`containing fingertip pad 23 to be exposed when the strap is
`wrapped around the fingertip as clearly shown in FIG. 2.
`FIGS. 1 and 2 also show the preferred location of stylus rod
`tip 13 extending outwardly beyond the end 22 of fingernail
`50 21 so as to easily access a touch screen while not interfering
`with other uses of the fingertip and the fingertip pad 23. The
`proximal end 13a of the rod 12 extends above and is spaced
`from fingertip portion 25 and joint 24 so as to allow
`complete finger flexing at the joint without contacting end
`55 13a.
`FIGS. 5-7 illustrate another embodiment 30 of the inven(cid:173)
`tion where the stylus rod is held in a semi-friction-fit in a
`U-shaped plastic or metal (such as brass) clip 35. Bight 36
`of the clip seats on the underside of an intermediate portion
`60 31 of the strap and the legs 37, 38 are inserted into and
`through slits 34 in the strap. Each leg includes an aperture
`39 which apertures are aligned for receipt of the stylus rod
`12. The legs 37 and 38 may be slightly bowed to insure that
`a semi-friction-fit is provided. A friction pad or ring 49a may
`65 be fixed to portion 31 between the legs 37 and 38 to augment
`the friction against the stylus rod. Apertures 33 may be
`provided in the strap to lighten the finger stylus and to allow
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 5 of 7
`
`

`

`US 6,249,277 Bl
`
`15
`
`5
`ambient air to access the user's fingertip and to thereby
`avoid a sweating condition on the fingertip. The apertures 33
`also aid in making the strap more easily rolled-up for
`storage.
`FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment 40 where a leather or 5
`fabric intermediate portion 41 is provided having a loophole
`42. A hooks and loops connector fastener 43, 44 is attached
`by a threaded or by an adhesive hem or the like to the ends
`47 of portion 41. FIG. 8 also illustrates a stylus rod having
`an outer surface with a serrated or castellated or other 10
`surface irregularities 48, the surface providing the desired
`semi-friction-fit with the interior of loophole 42, formed by
`slits 45, 46.
`FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a further embodiment 50
`where the distal ends Sa and 51b of the strap each include
`a magnet element 52, 53 which coact together to hold the
`strap distal ends in a wraparound condition about a user's
`fingertip. Element 53 is shown as longer in length than
`element 52 so as to accommodate the diameter of particular
`fingertips of various users.
`FIG. 10 shows a ring embodiment 60 of the invention 20
`where an elastic fabric or rubber ring 61 is sized to be pushed
`or rolled onto a user's finger tip with the stylus 12 inserted
`into loophole 62. As shown the loophole may be positioned
`displaced from the top side of the user's fingertip.
`A practical fingertip stylus must have several features. It
`must have a non-marking tip. It must be light, comfortable,
`low cost, and must adapt to a wide variation in the shape and
`size of people's fingers. The preferred embodiments of the
`invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 satisfy these criteria.
`The non-marking tip 13 is made of a shape and a material
`of a hardness such that it will not damage the surface of a
`touch screen device. The non-marking tip will be of a
`hardness less than the hardness of the touch screen device
`surface. As a result the tip 13 may wear over time and be
`diminished in length. However, the invention compensates
`for this by permitting the non-marking tip to be slid forward
`in the loophole, or entirely replaced.
`In addition, the friction pad or ring 49 may be an elastic
`material, which stretches when pressure is applied to the
`non-marking tip creating a spring-type action to the tip of the
`device. It is further contemplated that that the pressure or
`force necessary to make the non-marking tip move in the
`loophole is less than the pressure that would result in
`damage to the screen of the device, but greater than the 45
`pressure necessary for the touch screen device to be acti(cid:173)
`vated or to generate an input. Thus, the semi-friction-fit
`mechanism will further prevent damage to the touch screen
`device.
`The non-marking tip may be positioned off the center axis 50
`of ones finger so that the tip will not interfere with such tasks
`as typing. A further advantage of locating the non-marking
`tip ( essentially longitudinally tangential to the user's finger)
`is that its back end 13a does not contact the finger as shown
`in FIG. 1. This is beneficial because the shock of the impact 55
`from the tip's contact with the surface of the touch-screen
`device is not transferred directly to the user's fingertip.
`Instead it is spread and dissipated by the strap and friction
`pad.
`The fingertip stylus strap may be rolled or folded for 60
`storage in a special case or for storage in a special compart(cid:173)
`ment designed for that purpose inside the touch screen
`device case. The fingertip stylus provides the advantage of
`taking up less space than a traditional stylus. When rolled it
`can also function like a short regular stylus.
`While specific embodiments of the invention have been
`described, the invention is not limited to those specifics and
`
`6
`modifications or design detail changes can be made without
`departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A finger stylus for a touch screen comprising:
`a flexible non-metallic elastic ring or a flexible strap
`having distal ends, each of the distal ends including at
`least parts of an interconnect fastener, the strap forming
`a wraparound for a human fingertip such that in use the
`bonding of the interconnect fastener parts about the
`fingertip firmly holds the strap against the fingertip;
`wherein the ring or strap includes an intermediate portion
`including a loophole extending from an exterior surface
`of the intermediate portion, the loophole being formed
`by at least two cuts in the strap or ring intermediate
`portion; and
`further including a longitudinal stylus rod extending
`through said loophole in a semi-friction-fit connection
`with the loophole, the rod in use being positioned to
`extend through the loophole generally transversely to
`the ring or strap and above or to the side and beyond a
`user's fingertip for touching a touch screen.
`2. The finger stylus of claim 1 wherein the entire strap is
`constructed of a hooks and loops material, the hooks being
`on a first surface of the strap and the loops being on a second
`opposite surface of the strap.
`3. The finger stylus of claim 1 in which said strap includes
`a leather or fabric intermediate portion attached to the
`interconnect fastener.
`4. The finger stylus of claim 1 wherein a portion of said
`strap between said distal ends and said intermediate portion
`are apertured for allowing ambient air to access the user's
`fingertip.
`5. The finger stylus of claim 1 wherein a transverse width
`of the distal ends of the strap is less than a transverse width
`35 of the intermediate portion of the strap such that the strap
`does not interfere with a user's fingertip pad during a typing
`operation.
`6. The finger stylus of claim 1 further including a friction
`pad associated with the ring or strap and in semi-friction
`40 contact with said stylus rod.
`7. The finger stylus of claim 1 further including a loophole
`cover extending under the loophole.
`8. A finger stylus for a touch screen comprising:
`a flexible non-metallic elastic ring or a flexible strap
`having distal ends, each of the distal ends including at
`least parts of an interconnect fastener, the strap forming
`a wraparound for a human fingertip such that in use the
`bonding of the interconnect fastener parts about the
`fingertip firmly holds the strap against the fingertip;
`wherein the ring or strap includes an intermediate portion
`including a loophole extending from an exterior surface
`of the intermediate portion; and
`further including a longitudinal stylus rod extending
`through said loophole in a semi-friction-fit connection
`with the loophole, the rod in use being positioned to
`extend through the loophole generally transversely to
`the strap and above or to the side and beyond a user's
`fingertip for touching a touch screen, wherein said
`stylus rod includes a series of surface irregularities such
`that said stylus rod is held in the semi-friction-fit
`connection in the loophole.
`9. A finger stylus for a touch screen comprising:
`a flexible non-metallic elastic ring or a flexible strap
`having distal ends, each of the distal ends including at
`least parts of an interconnect fastener, the strap forming
`a wraparound for a human fingertip such that in use the
`
`25
`
`30
`
`65
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 6 of 7
`
`

`

`US 6,249,277 Bl
`
`7
`bonding of the interconnect fastener parts about the
`fingertip firmly holds the strap against the fingertip;
`wherein the ring or strap includes an intermediate portion
`including a loophole extending from an exterior surface
`of the intermediate portion; and
`further including a longitudinal stylus rod extending
`through said loophole in a semi-friction-fit connecting
`with the loophole, the rod in use being positioned to
`extend through the loophole generally transversely to
`the ring or strap and above or to the side and beyond a 10
`user's fingertip for touching a touch screen;
`
`5
`
`8
`wherein a pair of parallel and longitude cuts are formed in
`the strap or ring intermediate portion; and
`wherein the loophole comprises a U-shaped clip having a
`bight portion embedded in an inner surface of the strap
`intermediate portion and a pair of legs extending
`through the pair of parallel and longitudinal cuts in the
`intermediate portion, said legs having aligned apertures
`for reception of the stylus rod in the semi-friction-fit
`connection.
`
`* * * * *
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 7 of 7
`
`