Coloringbook, a solid state display device

• US 3,932,862 A
• Filed: 04/02/1975
• Issued: 01/13/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Michael Graven
• Original Assignee: Robert Michael Graven
• Inventors: Graven, Robert Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Trafton, David L.
• Application Number:
  US05/564,425
• Time in Patent Office: 286 Days
• Field of Search: 340/324 M, 340/337, 340/365 P, 340/166 EL, 250/553, 178/18
• US Class Current: 345/183
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels

Abstract

A two-dimensional matrix of semiconductors is arranged in ordered array as a flat, light emitting and light sensing device for input and read-out of information from a computer. A penlight is used to activate the light sensing semiconductors to achieve a graphical input. Operation of the device can be either incremental or random.

Claims

1. An optoelectronic device comprising

a modular circuit unit having

a pn junction light emitter, and

a semiconductor light sensor juxtaposed in a common plane to permit emission and reception of light on one common side of said module,

said emitter and sensor positioned to operate optically independently of each other, and

means for electrically connecting said modular circuit unit to like modular circuit units, said means disposed on another side of said modular unit.

2. The optoelectronic device of claim 1 wherein said light emitter comprises elements selected from the group consisting of gallium, arsenic and phosphorus.

3. The optoelectronic device of claim 1 further comprising

means for activating and deactivating said light emitters, and

means for activating and deactivating said light sensors.

4. The optoelectronic device of claim 1 further comprising

means for simultaneously activating and deactivating said light emitter and

means for simultaneously activating and deactivating said light sensor.

5. The optoelectronic device of claim 1 further comprising

a second pn junction light emitter adapted to emit a hue of light different from the hue of light emitted by said first light emitter,

said first and second light emitters disposed adjacent each other in said module.

6. An optoelectronic device comprising

a plurality of pn junction light emitters juxtaposed in a common plane and arranged in an ordered array,

means for sequentially activating and deactivating said emitters,

means for storing the status of said light emitters,

means for manually switching said light emitters,

means for simultaneously activating said light emitters,

means for simultaneously deactivating said light emitters, a computer, and

means for operating said light emitters by said computer.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising

a penlight, and

means for operation of said device using said penlight.

8. The device of claim 6 further comprising means for connecting said device to a communications network including

means for transmitting electrical signals,

means for receiving electrical signals,

means for modulating electrical signals, and

means for demodulating electrical signals.

9. The device of claim 6 further comprising

a low voltage power supply, and

means for energizing said light emitters using said power supply.

10. An optoelectronic device comprising

a plurality of semiconductor light sensors juxtaposed in a common plane and arranged in an ordered array,

means for individually activating and deactivating said light sensors,

means for storing the status of activation and deactivation of said sensors,

a computer,

means connected to said computer for determining the activated status of said sensors,

a penlight, and

means for activating said sensors using said penlight.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising

a low voltage power supply, and

means for biasing said light sensors using said power supply.