Method and device for inputting coordinate-position and a display board system

• US 6,828,959 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Ogasawara, Tsutomu, Ito, Takahiro, Takekawa, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): WU, XIAO MIN
• Application Number:
  US10/000,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20020050985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/175, 345/176, 345/177, 345/178, 345/179, 345/182, 345/104, 178/18.01, 178/18.1, 178/18.05, 178/18.09, 178/18.03
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Abstract

The coordinate-position input device has a frame with a reflecting member for recursively reflecting light provided in an inner side from four edges of the frame forming a rectangular form. Two optical units irradiate light to the reflecting members and receive the reflected light. With the mounting member(s) the frame can be detachably attached to a white board. The two optical units are located at both ends of any one of frame edges forming the frame, and at the same time the two optical units and the frame body are integrated to each other.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a device having a front writing surface and a back portion, the device being rigid;

a support connected to the device;

a frame configured to be attached to the device;

a bracket attached to only one side of the frame without surrounding the frame and configured to prevent the frame from being removed from the device due to contact between the bracket and the back portion;

a light source connected to the frame; and

a light sensor connected to the frame.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a coordinate-position identifier,

wherein the light source and the light sensor are electrically connected to the coordinate-position identifier.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an interface section connected to the coordinate-position identifier; and

a personal computer and a printer connected to the interface section.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

the bracket removably attaches the frame to the device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a white board.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a plasma display.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the light sensor includes:

a charge coupled device (“

CCD”

) sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises:

a hook.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the bracket rests on the device.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system is free-standing.

11. A system, comprising:

a writing surface connected to a rigid back portion;

a support connected to the back portion;

a frame configured to be mounted proximate to the writing surface;

a bracket attached to only one side of the frame without surrounding the frame and configured to prevent the frame from being removed from a proximity of the writing surface due to contact between the bracket and the back portion;

a light source connected to the frame; and

a light sensor connected to the frame.

12. A system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a coordinate-position identifier,

wherein the light source and the light sensor are electrically connected to the coordinate-position identifier.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

an interface section connected to the coordinate-position identifier; and

a personal computer and a printer connected to the interface section.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein:

the bracket removably attaches the frame to the writing surface.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a white board which includes the writing surface and the back portion.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a plasma display which includes the writing surface and the back portion.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the light sensor includes:

a charge coupled device (“

CCD”

) sensor.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the bracket comprises:

a hook.

19. The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a device including the writing surface and the back portion, wherein;

the bracket rests on the device.

20. A system according to claim 11, wherein the system is free-standing.

21. A system, comprising:

a device having a front writing surface and a rigid back portion;

a frame configured to be attached to the device;

a bracket attached to only one side of the frame without surrounding the frame and configured to prevent the frame from being removed from the device due to contact between the bracket and the rigid back portion;

a light source connected to the frame; and

a light sensor connected to the frame.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein:

the bracket is arranged to contact the back portion of the device.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein:

a contact between the bracket and the back portion of the device prevents the frame from being removed from the device.

24. A system according to claim 22, wherein:

the bracket rests on the device.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein:

the bracket rests on the device.

26. A system according to claim 21, further comprising:

a coordinate-position identifier,

wherein the light source and the light sensor are electrically connected to the coordinate-position identifier.

27. The system of claim 26, further comprising:

an interface section connected to the coordinate-position identifier; and

a personal computer and a printer connected to the interface section.

28. A system according to claim 22, wherein:

the bracket removably attaches the frame to the device.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein the device is a white board.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the device is a plasma display.

31. The system of claim 22, wherein the light sensor includes:

a charge coupled device (“

CCD”

) sensor.

32. The system claim 22, wherein the bracket comprises:

a hook.

33. A system according to claim 21, wherein the system is free-standing.

34. A system, comprising:

means for receiving writing by a person including a front writing surface and a rigid back portion;

means for supporting the means for receiving;

means for framing the front writing surface;

means, attached to only one side of the means for framing without surrounding the means for framing, for preventing the means for framing from being removed from the means for receiving due to contact between the means for preventing and the back portion;

means for illuminating, connected to the means for framing; and

means for sensing light, connected to the means for framing.

35. A system according to claim 34, further comprising:

means for identifying a coordinate position,

wherein the means for illuminating and the means for sensing light are electrically connected to the coordinate-position identifier.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein:

the means for identifying comprises a personal computer.

37. A system according to claim 34, wherein:

the means for preventing removably attaches the frame to the device.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the means for receiving writing comprises:

a white board.

39. The system of claim 34, wherein the means for receiving writing comprises:

a plasma display.

40. The system of claim 34, wherein the means for sensing light comprises:

a charge coupled device.

41. The system of claim 34, wherein the means for preventing comprises:

a hook.

42. A system according to claim 34, the system is free-standing.

43. A method, comprising the steps of:

contacting a frame to a device having a front writing surface and a rigid back portion the frame connected to a light source and a light sensor; and

arranging a bracket which is attached to only one side of the frame without surrounding the frame, to prevent the frame from losing contact with the device.

44. A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of:

sensing a position using the light source and the light sensor.

45. A method according to claim 43, wherein the frame is free-standing.

46. A system, comprising:

a device having a front writing surface and a back portion, the device being rigid;

a support connected to the device;

a frame having four corner portions and configured to be attached to the device;

a bracket attached to the frame and configured to prevent the frame from being removed from the device due to contact between the bracket and the back portion; and

an integrated optical unit having a light source and a light sensor, the integrated optical unit being detachably connected to any of the four corner portions of the frame.