Real motion detection sampling and recording for tracking and writing instruments using electrically-active viscous material and thin films

• US 7,289,105 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2004
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vrbia Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vrbia Incorporated
• Inventors: Dort, David Bogart
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick; Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US10/833,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20060181505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/158, 345/161, 345/179, 345/184, 340/686, 340/689
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

The present invention details a system for tracking writing motions internally to the pen (or other instrument) and communicating such motions to a general or specific purposes computer systems. In a preferred embodiment the present invention uses multiple tubes with electrically active material with viscosity surfaces in order to generate the necessary signals to determine the motion of the device in a targeted number of degrees. The data on movement is either supplemented with or oriented with magnetically-active thin film material which generates signals when the device is rotated. The data is then filtered and optionally processed and stored. The data then can be downloaded to a computer or other processing device to determine the motion of the pen or other tracking device.

Claims

1. A system for digitally recording the motion of an instrument including:

a power source;

at least two partially hollow tubes made of electricially-conductive material coupled to said power source through first connection, said at least two partially hollow tubes including a viscous material in the interior contacting said electrically-conductive material in a first volumetric configuration, wherein when said at least one of said at least partially hollow tubes moves in an axial or rotational direction, said viscous material contacts said electrically-conductive material in a second volumetric configuration;

at least one magnetically-active thin film, said thin film changing its magnetic properties based on an orientation of said instrument and operatively affecting at least one electrical signal coupled to said power source;

wherein said first and second volumetric configurations result in distinguishable electrical properities; and

a power sink coupled with said at least two electrically-conductive tubes and said at least one thin-film-modified electrical signal through a second connection.

2. A system for tracking the motion of a writing instrument including:

a clock controlling a power source;

a series of virtual resistors coupled with said power source, each virtual resistor including a detection tube with a electrically active varying material, wherein the resistance of said of each virtual resistor is dependent upon the configuration of said electrically actice varying material, said material varying with motion of said writing instrument;

a magnetically-active thin film, said thin film detecting at least one angle of orientation and generating a signal;

a power sink; and

a signal processor.