Wireless input system for computer using pen position detection

• US 5,227,622 A
• Filed: 02/06/1992
• Issued: 07/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digital Signal Corporation (StereoVision Imaging, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital Signal Corporation (StereoVision Imaging, Inc.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAMI, KHALED
• Application Number:
  US07/831,944
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 250/561, 250/231.14, 250/237 G, 250/221, 340/707, 340/710, 359/157, 356/1, 356/152
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03542 Light pens for emitting or receiving light
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen

Abstract

A wireless input device for computer comprises a pen-type input device having a source of light capable of transmitting pulses. The wireless input device further comprises an input device body including two angle detecting section, each having a light receiving element constructed so that it is rotated to the direction of the incident angle of incident light when the incident light from the source of light is detected, and a calculating section for calculating the position of the pen-type input device from the two incident angles detected by the two angle detecting sections.

Claims

1. A wireless input device for a computer comprising:

a pen-type input device having a source of light capable of transmitting light pulses,

an input device body including two angle detecting sections spaced apart by a given distance, each angle detecting section being located at a fixed point and including a rotatably-supported, substantially cylindrical frame, a lens attached to the frame for focusing incident light from the pen-type input device, a light receiving element in the form of a two-division photodetector attached to the frame opposite to the lens for detecting incident light focused by the lens, rotating means for rotating the frame toward a direction of incident angle of the incident light so that a difference in quantities of the incident light received by the two-division photodetector is cancelled to zero, and rotation position detecting means for detecting a rotation position of the frame upon its rotation toward the direction of the incident angle of the incident light, and

a calculating section for calculating a position of the pen-type input device from the incident light detected by the two angle detecting sections, wherein said calculating section calculates the position of the pen-type input device on the basis of the two incident angles detected by the two angle detecting sections and the distance between the fixed points of the two angle detecting sections.

2. A wireless input device for a computer according to claim 1 in which said rotating means includes a linear motor comprising a coil attached to the frame, a yoke attached to the casing of the incident detecting section, and a magnet attached to the yoke.

3. A wireless input device for a computer according to claim 1 in which said rotation position detecting means comprises a LED attached to the frame, and a CCD line sensor attached to a stationary casing of the incident angle detecting section.

4. A wireless input device for a computer according to claim 1 in which said input device body is a separate member connected to the computer.

5. A wireless input device for a computer according to claim 1 in which said input device body is embedded in the computer.

6. A wireless input device for a computer according to claim 1 in which the pen-type input device comprises at least one click switch.

7. A wireless input device for a computer according to claim 6 in which the pen-type input device further comprises a pen-end switch.