Wireless computer peripheral that functions as a mouse and pen with ink processor memory power display and speaker all in one

• US 6,486,875 B1
• Filed: 05/01/1998
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black Robe Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Compapen Incorporated
• Inventors: OʼDonnell, Francis E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Paul A.
• Application Number:
  US09/071,086
• Time in Patent Office: 1,670 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/163, 345/164, 345/169, 345/179, 178/18.01, 178/19.01, 178/20.01, 178/83, 178/84, 382/188, 382/187, 382/189, 358/473
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32

Abstract

A writing instrument that also functions as a computer peripheral. The writing instrument has the general configuration of a ball-point pen. The pen includes a ball for ink writing that is operatively associated with internal sensors that precisely detect the distance and direction of ball movement and relay that directional and distance data to a microprocessor which records a series of vectors similar to a computer mouse. The pen also includes interchangeable memory cartridge for the storage of the data and a wireless computer connect, for example infrared, that can communicate generated or stored data to an associated computer. The pen also includes an external LED data display, a speaker/microphone and an ink reservoir.

Claims

1. A hand-held wireless computer peripheral allowing for wireless transmission of data representative of written information to an associated computer, comprising:

a hollow housing;

a rotatable ball disposed at one end of said housing;

an ink reservoir adjacent to and in fluid communication with said ball to allow for written information to be recorded by a user on a document;

sensors disposed within said housing and in communication with said ball for measuring distance and direction of ball rotation as the written information is recorded by the user;

a microprocessor disposed within said housing and electrically connected to said sensors, said microprocessor generating data representative of the written information based upon the measured distance and direction of ball rotation;

a preprogrammed memory storage device electrically connected to said microprocessor;

said preprogrammed memory storage device being preprogrammed with data and being capable of storing data generated by said microprocessor;

computer connecting means for transmitting data from said writing instrument to the associated computer;

a power source disposed within said housing, and providing electrical power required for operation of said computer peripheral;

an externally viewable data display mounted on said housing for displaying the preprogrammed data stored in said memory storage device.

2. The computer peripheral as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory device includes an interchangeable memory unit.

3. The computer peripheral as set forth in claim 1 further including directional markers provided upon the surface of the housing to ensure proper positioning of said computer peripheral with respect to said computer during data transmission from the instrument to the computer.

4. The computer peripheral as set forth in claim 1 further including a speaker that allows a user to receive audible messages.

5. The computer peripheral as set forth in claim 4 further including a microphone allowing the user to record audible messages in said memory storage device, and transmit data representative of audible messages to the computer via the wireless computer connect.

6. The computer peripheral as set forth in claim 1 wherein said computer connecting means includes an infrared transmitter that transmits data to a receiver in the computer.