Enhanced information overlay for use with a digitizing pad and computer

• US 4,922,060 A
• Filed: 07/20/1989
• Issued: 05/01/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: McJunkin, James
• Original Assignee: McJunkin, James
• Inventors: McJunkin, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Schreyer, Stafford D.
• Application Number:
  US07/382,416
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18, 178/19, 178/20, 362/33, 362/84, 40/361, 40/341, 340/700, 340/710, 340/815.19
• US Class Current: 178/18.11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041

Abstract

A series of enhancements to a digitizing pad, information overlay and input selector, which are used as input devices for many computer-aided design programs, eliminating operator fatigue caused by conflicting lighting requirements, viewing levels and focusing distances required for the digitizing pad and computer screen. The use of fluorescent color for symbols on the information overlay, illuminated by black light, provides an information overlay which can be used in the same low light which is best for computer screen reading and which closely simulates the background and contrast of the computer screen. The active area of the input selector, called the window, is also outlined in fluorescent color to facilitate use in the low light environment. The information overlay is viewed through a mirror which can be adjusted to the same height as the computer screen. These enhancements create an information overlay which can be viewed in the same lighting environment at the same eye level, with the same contrast and the same focal length as the computer screen, but which may be operated without raising the hand or input selector off the desktop.

Claims

1. In combination with a computer input device of the type using a digitizing pad, information overlay, and an input selector with which the operator enters information into the computer the improvement comprises:

characters and symbols applied to the information overlay in a luminescent medium; and

a means for illuminating said luminescent medium with the corresponding preferred adsorption wavelength.

2. The improvement of claim 1 which further comprises:

a luminescent medium which is used to print characters and symbols upon the input selector; and

a means for illuminating said luminescent medium upon said input selector with the corresponding preferred adsorption wavelength.

3. The improvement of claim 1 which further comprises:

a mirror; and

a means for aligning said mirror at a height above the information overlay to reflect the image of the information overlay to the operator.

4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein:

the information overlay is printed in reverse and upside down image.

5. The improvement of claim 3 which further comprises:

a means for tilting the mirror.

6. The improvement of claim 3 which further comprises:

a means for adjusting the height of the mirror above the information overlay.

9. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the means for illuminating comprises:

a black light.

7. A device for viewing an information overlay which comprises:

characters and symbols applied to the information overlay in a luminescent medium;

a means for illuminating said luminescent medium with the corresponding preferred adsorption wavelength; and

a mirror;

a means for supporting said mirror at a height above the information overlay;

the information overlay printed upside down and in reverse image; and

a means for tilting the mirror; and

a means for adjusting the height of the mirror above the information overlay.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the means for illuminating comprises:

a black light.

10. A method for the use of a digitizing pad, information overlay and input selector in a low light environment which comprises:

using a luminescent medium to print characters and symbols upon the information overlay; and

illuminating said luminescent medium with the corresponding preferred adsorption wavelength.

11. The method of claim 10 which further comprises:

printing the information overlay in reverse and upside down image; and

viewing the information overlay through a mirror.

12. The method of claim 10 which further comprises:

using a luminescent medium to apply characters and symbols upon the input selector; and

illuminating said luminescent medium upon said input selector with the corresponding preferred adsorption wavelength.