Abstract: A user interface device includes a barrel, with a retractable active stylus positioned within the barrel. A cap portion connects to the barrel at a rotatable interface. A power source is positioned within the cap portion. A rotation-position switch connects the power source to activate the stylus when the cap portion is rotated to an “on” position.

Abstract: An interactive data transfer system and method is provided. In embodiments of the invention, the data transfer system includes a computing device, and a data well for interfacing with an elongate instrument, the elongate instrument having a data transfer end with a data transfer tip. The data well has a housing with an opening for receiving the data transfer tip of the elongate instrument. The data well also has a communications port operatively coupled to the computing device to provide data to the computing device, and the data well has a data communication device contained in the housing for interfacing with the data transfer tip when the data transfer end of the elongate instrument is received in the opening The computing device is programmed to receive data from the data well. The received data includes data indicative of at least one address on a global communications network.

Abstract: A data well arrangement is for storing data and for interfacing with a writing implement having a writing end with a writing tip and data transfer end with a data transfer tip. The data well arrangement has a housing with an inlet opening for receiving an end of the implement. A data reader is in the housing for facing the data transfer tip to exchange data with the implement when the data transfer end of the implement is received in the opening. A shutter in the housing is engageable with an engagement portion of the implement for moving of shutter between a writing end storage position in which the data reader is inaccessible, and an interface position in which the data reader is accessible to the data transfer tip with the shutter being engaged by the engagement portion of the implement, only when the data transfer end is received in this opening.

Abstract: A data well arrangement for storing data and for interfacing with a writing implement having a writing end with a writing tip and data transfer end with a data transfer tip is described. The data well arrangement has a housing with an inlet opening for receiving an end of the implement. A data reader resides in the housing for facing the data transfer tip to exchange data with the implement when the data transfer end of the implement is received in the opening. A shutter in the housing is engageable with an engagement portion of the implement for moving of shutter between a writing end storage position in which the data reader is inaccessible, and an interface position in which the data reader is accessible to the data transfer tip with the shutter being engaged by the engagement portion of the implement, only when the data transfer end is received in this opening.

Abstract: A mechanical pencil has a front sleeve, a cap rotatably and detachably mounted at the rear end of the front sleeve, and a lead advancing mechanism contained in the front sleeve. Rotation of the cap actuates the lead advancing mechanism to advance a lead. The mechanical pencil prevents breakage of lead and has low manufacturing costs. A rotation cam mechanism is disposed behind the lead advancing mechanism for advancing lead. The rotation cam mechanism has a rotation cam for rotating in accordance with rotation of a cap and a cam sleeve biased to engaged the rotation cam. An inside diameter of the front end of the cam sleeve is larger than an outside diameter of the rear end of the lead advancing mechanism so that the rear end of the lead advancing mechanism is inserted into the front end of the cam sleeve with a clearance in the radial direction. An inside diameter of the rear end of the lead advancing mechanism is larger than the outside diameter of a lead to establish a clearance there also.

Abstract: A wireless stylus apparatus for use with a pen computing device having a input screen or tablet for inputting information into the pen computing device. The wireless stylus includes, but is not limited to, a reusable barrel having an open end and a disposable stylus cartridge having a body section and a head section. The head section has a point. The information is input to the pen computing device when the point is in contact with the surface of the input screen or tablet. The disposable stylus cartridge is meant to be releasably mounted in the reusable barrel so that the head section can extend beyond the open end thereof. The disposable stylus cartridge is configured to leave no discernable mark on the input screen or tablet when the head section of the disposable stylus cartridge is in contact with the input screen or tablet. Additionally, A disposable stylus cartridge adapted to replace a refill cartridge used with a typical reusable writing device is disclosed.

Abstract: A non-marking, writing system simulates a physical writing system which has characteristic ranges of writing resistance, sound, resilience and thermal conductivity. The non-marking writing system includes a non-marking writing instrument having an elongated shank with opposite ends. A non-marking tip is connected to one end of the shank for engagement against and movement across a writing surface. The writing surface onto and across which the tip is moved for non-marking writing, creates an actual writing resistance. The tip is structured and made of selected material and the writing surface is made of selected material so that the actual writing resistance falls within the characteristic range of writing resistance for the physical writing system.

Abstract: A four part writing instrument mechanism includes a one piece synthetic anchor bushing and a one piece synthetic cartridge shuttle which are axially movable with respect to each other. A metal driver with a helical section engages a groove in the shuttle for moving the shuttle axially. The driver is axially fixed but rotatable on the anchor bushing. A writing cartridge, such as a ball point pen cartridge, is fixed to the shuttle and has a writing point which is extendable from and retractable into an opposite end of the anchor bushing.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic writing implement comprises a writing tip for marking a surface and a pressure sensor located at the writing tip for emitting a pressure signal once the writing tip contacts the writing surface. An accelerometer sensor is also located at the writing tip for sensing the acceleration of the tip over the surface and emitting an acceleration signal based on the acceleration of the tip. The pressure signals and acceleration signals are transmitted to a processing circuit located within the implement. An analog-to-digital converter is used to convert the signals into a digital code which is recorded in a recording chip within the instrument. A power source is used to power the electronics of the implement. The writing implement is used in conjunction with a receiver capable of receiving digital information such as a computer having a translating package which translates the digital information in order to determine the original markings made by the writing tip on the writing surface.