Electronic light pointer for a projection monitor

• US 4,808,980 A
• Filed: 10/22/1987
• Issued: 02/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Wang Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Drumm, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brigance, Gerald L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HJERPE, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US07/112,199
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/707, 340/709, 340/720, 340/723, 340/744, 353/21, 353/28, 353/29, 353/30, 353/42, 353/43, 434/153, 434/324, 434/325, 434/337, 434/323, 434/335, 178/17 D, 178/17 R, 178/18, 178/87, 250/203 R, 250/203 CT, 250/205, 250/214 AG, 250/491.1, 250/561, 33/508, 358/93
• US Class Current: 345/162
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/037 using the raster scan of a cathode-ray tube [CRT] for detecting the position of the member, e.g. light pens cooperating with CRT monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A cursor positioning device for a computer system having a projection display monitor including a screen. A light pointer in the form of an elongated housing is positioned with its tip at a selected location on the screen. A light sensor detects the raster scan trace and transmits a timed electrical signal to an interface, which determines the coordinates of the selected location for use by a computer in controlling the position of the cursor on the projection screen.

Claims

1. A cursor positioning system for a computer system having a projection display monitor including a screen, comprising

light sensor means for detecting a raster scan trace at a selected location near the surface of the screen of the projection display monitor;

means responsive to said sensor means for generating position signals representative of the selected location on the screen of the projection display monitor;

means for generating cursor signals adapted for controlling the position of a cursor on the screen of the projection display monitor in response to said position signals;

whereby said light sensor means designates a high resolution cursor on said screen of the projection display monitor, said high resolution cursor having a resolution close to one pixel.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light sensor means is a photodiode included in the tip of an hand-held elongated housing.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said hand-held elongated housing is 12 to 20 inches in length.

4. A computer display system comprising

a computer;

a projection video display monitor for projecting raster scanned image data, coupled to said computer;

a screen for displaying said image data;

a light pointer, the pointer including means for detecting a raster scan trace at a selected location near the surface of the screen of the projection display monitor and means for generating a timed electrical signal in response to the raster scan trace;

interface means, coupled to the light pointer and the computer, for translating the timed electrical signal into position signals representative of the selected location on the screen;

the computer generating cursor signals adapted for controlling the position of a cursor on the screen of the projection display monitor in response to said position signals;

whereby said light pointer designates a high resolution cursor on said screen, said high resolution cursor having a resolution close to one pixel.

5. A computer display system according to claim 4, wherein the light pointer includes a hand-held elongated housing with a telescoping inner member for varying the length of said housing.

6. A computer display system according to claim 4, wherein the light pointer and interface means are coupled by means of an FM transmitter in the light pointer and an FM receiver in the interface means.

7. A computer display system according to claim 4, wherein the light pointer includes a select switch for selecting items displayed on the screen.

8. A pointer device for controlling the position of a cursor in a computer system having a projection display monitor including a screen, comprising

an elongated housing, having a handle portion and a tip;

said tip including a light sensor for detecting a raster scan trace at a selected location near the surface of the screen of the projection display monitor;

signal generating means, coupled to said light sensor, for generating a timed electrical signal in response to the detected raster scan trace; and

interface means, coupled to the light pointer and the computer, for translating the timed electrical signal into position signals representative of the selected location on the screen;

whereby the computer generates cursor signals adapted for controlling the position of a cursor on the screen of the projection display monitor in response to said position signals; and

whereby said tip of said pointer device designates a high resolution cursor on said screen of the projection display monitor, said high resolution cursor having a resolution close to one pixel.

9. A pointer device according to claim 8, wherein said elongated housing includes a telescoping inner member for varying the length of said housing.

10. A pointer device according to claim 8, wherein the light pointer and interface means are coupled by means of an FM transmitter in the light pointer and an FM receiver in the interface means.

11. A pointer device according to claim 8, wherein the light pointer includes a select switch for selecting items displayed on the screen.

12. A pointer device according to claim 8, wherein the tip includes a flexible member for orienting the light sensor toward the projection monitor when the tip contacts the screen.

13. A pointer device according to claim 8, wherein said signal generating means includes an automatic gain control to compensate for variations in the brightness of the image field.

14. A pointer device according to claim 8, wherein said elongated housing is 12 to 20 inches in length.