Patents by Inventor David C. Fleck
David C. Fleck has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10754449Abstract: A stylus brush for creating paintbrush-like digital effects using a digitizer. The stylus brush includes sensing filaments. The sensing filaments include a conductor extending the length of the filament, wherein the conductor transmits light or current along the length of the filament; a cladding or insulator juxtaposed against the conductor; and a means for changing a light or electrical property passing through the conductor when the filament bends along the length as compared to the light or electrical property of the filament in a nonbent condition, wherein the filament has a width not more than 1 mm and length not more than 10 cm.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Sadao Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20190369753Abstract: A stylus brush for creating paintbrush-like digital effects using a digitizer. The stylus brush includes sensing filaments. The sensing filaments include a conductor extending the length of the filament, wherein the conductor transmits light or current along the length of the filament; a cladding or insulator juxtaposed against the conductor; and a means for changing a light or electrical property passing through the conductor when the filament bends along the length as compared to the light or electrical property of the filament in a nonbent condition, wherein the filament has a width not more than 1 mm and length not more than 10 cm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Sadao Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6689965Abstract: A digitizer system includes a pointer (e.g. stylus or puck) for manipulation by a user over a work surface of a tablet. The tablet includes a menu strip area thereon. According to certain embodiments of this invention, the cursor shape shown on the display is changed as a function of the pointer's position within the menu strip area of the tablet. In certain embodiments, phsyical structure (e.g. bumps, dimples, ridges, or the like) is provided in or on the surface of the tablet proximate the menu area so that the user can tell that the pointer is located in the menu area without having to look down at the tablet.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventor: David C. Fleck
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Patent number: 6556190Abstract: A stylus for use in a coordinate input system (e.g. digitizer tablet system) includes a finger wheel. The degree of rotation of the finger wheel by the user determines the extent to which a chosen graphical parameter (e.g. line thickness, color, shading, gray scale, etc.) is varied. Thus, a user can easily vary the graphical parameter while drawing by merely rotating the finger wheel about its fixed rotational axis. Preferably, rotation of the wheel causes an intermediate gear wheel with teeth thereon to rotate which in turn causes a potentiometer to detect the degree of rotation of the finger wheel. In alternative embodiments of this invention, a touchpad for inputting finger position and/or finger pressure information may be provided on the side of the stylus instead of the finger wheel.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Scott Rawlings, Yasuyuki Fukushima
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Patent number: 6512513Abstract: A digitizer pointer for use in conjunction with a digitizer system. The pointer is shaped so as to reduce finger/hand fatigue of users manipulating the pointer over and/or across a digitizer tablet. In certain embodiments, an enlarged grip area may flare toward the bottom which helps to prevent the pointer from sliding out of the user's hand. In certain other embodiments, a textured grip area is provided to improve the user's ability to hold onto and control the pointer. In yet further embodiments, a flare is provided near the tip of the pointer in order to reduce the force required by fingers of the user to manipulate and hold the pointer.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Scott Rawlings, Konrad W. Pollmann, Jan Hippen, Folke Schlueter, Yasuyuki Fukushima, Masuo Hirota
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Patent number: 6473073Abstract: A digitizer system includes a pointer (e.g. stylus or puck) for manipulation by a user over a work surface of a tablet. The tablet includes a menu strip area thereon. The location of the pointer on the tablet is shown by way of a cursor shape on a corresponding monitor or display which is in communication with the tablet. According to certain embodiments of this invention, the cursor shape shown on the display is changed as a function of the pointer's position within the menu strip area of the tablet. Thus, for example, a first cursor shape may be shown on the display when the pointer is over a first area of the menu strip, while a different second cursor shape may be shown on the display when the pointer is over a second area of the menu strip.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventor: David C. Fleck
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Publication number: 20010043185Abstract: A digitizer pointer for use in conjunction with a digitizer system. The pointer is shaped so as to reduce finger/hand fatigue of users manipulating the pointer over and/or across a digitizer tablet. In certain embodiments, an enlarged grip area may flare toward the bottom which helps to prevent the pointer from sliding out of the user's hand. In certain other embodiments, a textured grip area is provided to improve the user's ability to hold onto and control the pointer. In yet further embodiments, a flare is provided near the tip of the pointer in order to reduce the force required by fingers of the user to manipulate and hold the pointer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 1998Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: DAVID C FLECK, SCOTT RAWLINGS, KONRAD W POLLMANN, JAN HIPPRN, FOLKE SCHLUETER, YASUYUKI FUKUSHIMA, MASUO HIROTA
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Patent number: 6259438Abstract: A stylus for use in a coordinate input system (e.g. digitizer tablet system) includes a finger wheel. The degree of rotation of the finger wheel by the user determines the extent to which a chosen graphical parameter (e.g. line thickness, color, shading, gray scale, etc.) is varied. Thus, a user can easily vary the graphical parameter while drawing by merely rotating the finger wheel about its fixed rotational axis. Preferably, rotation of the wheel causes an intermediate gear wheel with teeth thereon to rotate which in turn causes a potentiometer to detect the degree of rotation of the finger wheel. In alternative embodiments of this invention, a touchpad for inputting finger position and/or finger pressure information may be provided on the side of the stylus instead of the finger wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Scott Rawlings, Yasuyuki Fukushima
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Publication number: 20010006383Abstract: A stylus for use in a coordinate input system (e.g. digitizer tablet system) includes a finger wheel. The degree of rotation of the finger wheel by the user determines the extent to which a chosen graphical parameter (e.g. line thickness, color, shading, gray scale, etc.) is varied. Thus, a user can easily vary the graphical parameter while drawing by merely rotating the finger wheel about its fixed rotational axis. Preferably, rotation of the wheel causes an intermediate gear wheel with teeth thereon to rotate which in turn causes a potentiometer to detect the degree of rotation of the finger wheel. In alternative embodiments of this invention, a touchpad for inputting finger position and/or finger pressure information may be provided on the side of the stylus instead of the finger wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2001Publication date: July 5, 2001Inventors: David C. Fleck, Scott Rawlings, Yasuyuki Fukushima
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Patent number: 6160539Abstract: A digitizer system includes a pointer (e.g. stylus or puck) for manipulation by a user over a work surface of a tablet. The tablet includes a menu strip area thereon. The location of the pointer on the tablet is shown by way of a cursor shape on a corresponding monitor or display which is in communication with the tablet. According to certain embodiments of this invention, the cursor shape shown on the display is changed as a function of the pointer's position within the menu strip area of the tablet. Thus, for example, a first cursor shape may be shown on the display when the pointer is over a first area of the menu strip, while a different second cursor shape may be shown on the display when the pointer is over a second area of the menu strip.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventor: David C. Fleck
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Patent number: 6154196Abstract: A coordinate input device (e.g. mouse-like device or cursor-like device) includes an outer housing which is movable between a first position adapted for use by right-handed users, and a second position adapted for use by left-handed users. In such a manner, the coordinate input device is easily utilized by both right and left-handed users. In certain embodiments, a rotatable thumb or finger wheel may be provided in the coordinate input device for manipulation by the user in order to adjust a parameter of an image being written/drawn on a corresponding display screen by the coordinate input device.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Konrad W. Pollmann, Scott Rawlings, Jan Hippen, David Sayler, I-Chiang Sun, Yasuyuki Fukushima, Masaki Niwa
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Patent number: 6118437Abstract: A digitizer eraser system and method are provided so as to include a writing/erasing digitizer pen, a tablet, and a tablet driver for use in conjunction with a computer and corresponding display screen. The user selects and deletes text or cells with one stylus stroke. In one motion, the user presses select, moves the erasing stylus across the material to be selected, then at the end of the selection lifts the stylus off the tablet to delete or erase the selected material. The system permits erasing of text or objects from the display screen via a keystroke function only when predetermined cursor shapes are being used on the screen. The keystroke function is chosen from a group of possible erasing keystrokes, with the selected keystroke being based upon the cursor shape being used so that undesirable erasing keystrokes are not used in certain situations. Additionally, the cursor shapes displayed on the screen are changed in accordance with whether the stylus is in a writing or an erasing mode or position.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Richard M. Stumpf, Tom Picard
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Patent number: 5793360Abstract: A digitizer eraser system and method are provided so as to include a writing/erasing digitizer pen, a tablet, and a tablet driver for use in conjunction with a computer and corresponding display screen. The user selects and deletes text or cells with one stylus stroke. In one motion, the user presses select, moves the erasing stylus across the material to be selected, then at the end of the selection lifts the stylus off the tablet to delete or erase the selected material. The system permits erasing of text or objects from the display screen via a keystroke function only when predetermined cursor shapes are being used on the screen. The keystroke function is chosen from a group of possible erasing keystrokes, with the selected keystroke being based upon the cursor shape being used so that undesirable erasing keystrokes are not used in certain situations. Additionally, the cursor shapes displayed on the screen are changed in accordance with whether the stylus is in a writing or an erasing mode or position.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1995Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Richard M. Stumpf, Tom Picard
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Patent number: 5587559Abstract: A control method and device allows a plurality of locators to be utilized in commonly used systems which have been inherently designed to be equipped with a single locator. The locator represents tablet, and pointing device such as mouse, pen. This control method stores device information table, pointer for the table, current status information on each one of plural locators, retrieves required information table by using the pointer and current status information in response to event generation of any one of the locators, request from application program, or predetermined period, and refers to the content of the information table.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Yoichi Tsuchida
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Patent number: 4539560Abstract: The disclosure relates to bed departure detection devices employing tape switch detectors in fixed positions in the seat and thigh sections of the mattress supporting structure of an articulated hospital bed. Bedside circuitry, connected to existing nurse call and two-way communication links, provides signals to a central nurse call station as an indication of unauthorized bed departure.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1982Date of Patent: September 3, 1985Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.Inventors: David C. Fleck, Joseph H. Novak, Clement J. Koerber, Sr.