Computer painting system with passive paint brush stylus

• US 20030117408A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley D. Pedersen, Ladd B. Forsline
• Original Assignee: Bradley D. Pedersen, Ladd B. Forsline
• Inventors: Pedersen, Bradley D., Forsline, Ladd B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,801,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/581
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A computer painting system is provided for a graphic computer system that has at least one touch screen apparatus and at least one display. A stylus having a tip formed of a solid piece of a resiliently compliant non-conductive material is used to apply variable pressure on the surface of the touch screen apparatus. Software executing on the computer system interprets the variable pressure applied to the surface of the touch screen apparatus and generates corresponding graphic images on the display. Preferably, the tip of the stylus is formed of a silicone material that allows the tip to easily move across the touch screen apparatus in a way that simulates a conventional painting brush stroke but without leaving a buildup of material on the touch screen apparatus. In one embodiment, the touch screen apparatus and the display are incorporated together in the same device. In another embodiment, the touch screen apparatus is a palette physically separate from the display and operably connected to the computer system.

Claims

1. A computer painting system comprising:

a graphic computer system having at least one touch screen apparatus and at least one display;

a stylus having a tip formed of a solid piece of a resiliently compliant non-conductive material; and

software executing on the computer system to interpret variable pressure applied to the touch screen apparatus by the stylus and generate corresponding graphic images on the display.

2. The computer painting system of claim 1 wherein the tip of the stylus is formed of a silicone material.

3. The computer painting system of claim 1 wherein the touch screen apparatus and the display are incorporated together in the same device.

4. The computer painting system of claim 1 wherein the touch screen apparatus is a palette physically separate from the display and operably connected to the computer system.

5. The computer painting system of claim 1 wherein the touch screen apparatus is a surface acoustic wave touch screen device.

6. A method of implementing a computer painting system on a graphic computer system having at least one touch screen apparatus and at least one display, the method comprising:

using a stylus having a tip formed of a solid piece of a resiliently compliant non-conductive material to assert variable pressure on the touch screen apparatus in a manner similar to brush strokes of conventional painting techniques; and

executing software on the computer system to interpret variable pressure applied to the touch screen apparatus by the stylus and generate corresponding graphic images on the display.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising using the stylus to mix a plurality of preselected colors on a portion of at least one of the touch screen apparatus to define an active color.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising loading the stylus with a virtual quantity of an active color of paint which the software on the computer system uses to generate the graphic images on the display.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising selecting a pattern that the stylus will create when the software on the computer system generates the graphic images on the display.