SPARK PEN

• US 3,626,483 A
• Filed: 07/16/1969
• Issued: 12/07/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert Whetstone, Samuel Fine, Stanely Phillips, William Banks
• Original Assignee: Albert Whetstone, Samuel Fine, Stanely Phillips, William Banks
• Inventors: Whetstone, Albert, Fine, Samuel, Banks, William, Phillips, Stanely
• Primary Examiner(s): Farley, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moskowitz, N.
• Application Number:
  US04/842,148
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18-20,87 317/96,97
• US Class Current: 367/137
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A writing stylus for use as a graphical-input terminal for digital computers. The stylus will produce a fast rise time shock energy sound wave generated by a spark detectable by coordinately placed microphones, at the instant the spark is produced can be determined and recorded in digital form.

Claims

1. A stylus for use with a graphical input computer system comprising a tubular housing, a high-voltage carrying conductor positioned within said housing, an additional conductive member mounted within said housing and extending therefrom so that between the first end of said high-voltage carrying conductor and said additional conductive member a spark gap is formed for a spark generated shock energy sound wave, a cylindrical collar member surrounding the conductive member for controlling the sparks, and switch means within the housing for energizing a digitizing circuit when the stylus is operative.

2. A stylus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the switch means comprises a microswitch mounted adjacent the conductive member and activated by said conductive member.

3. A stylus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a resilient ground return member in sliding contact with the conductive member.

4. A stylus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the conductive member comprises a ball-point ink cartridge having a conductive outer casing.

5. A stylus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cylindrical collar member is made of barium titanate.

6. A stylus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a conducting tube projecting outwardly from the housing for containing said high-voltage carrying conductor and placing the first end of same adjacent said ink cartridge to form the spark gap.

7. A stylus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the high-voltage carrying conductor within the conducting tube and adjacent said ink cartridge comprises a tungsten whisker.

8. A stylus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a connector member within said housing for positioning the internal components.

9. A stylus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said conducting tube is made of brass.

10. A stylus as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'V'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' notch formed in said cylindrical collar member, said notch being located opposite from the first end of the high-voltage carrying conductor.