Abstract: A rangefinder, for locating an object moving parallel to a planar surface, is rigidly attached to a carrier that is pivotably movable between an obverse position and a reverse position relative to a planar surface. Preferably, an orienting mechanism is provided for determining which position, obverse or reverse, the carrier and rangefinder are in. Preferably, a pivot, for pivoting the carrier and the rangefinder between the two positions, is rigidly attached either to the plane surface or to an attachment mechanism for reversibly attaching the carrier to the planar surface.

Abstract: Various electronic pen devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ultrasound transducer (i.e. transmitter or receiver) is provided. In one embodiment an electronic pen with an improved ‘pen up/pen down’ detector is provided In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved structure for transmitting infrared light is provided. In one embodiment, an improved electronic pen that may be operated in pen mode or mouse mode is provided.

Abstract: A system 5 for tracking the position of a digital 100 pen including a (i) pen-fixed ultrasound device 210 (i.e. transmitter or receiver) and (ii) a plurality of writing-surface fixed ultrasound devices 150 (i.e. transmitters or receivers) is disclosed. In some embodiments, a measurement is made of the time that it takes for ultra-sound to travel between the pen-fixed ultrasound device 210 and the writing-surface fixed ultrasound devices 150 via a path that includes a writing surface sub-path 170 between the ‘given point’ 175 on the writing surface and the writing-surface fixed ultrasound devices 150. In some embodiments, the position of the digital pen 100 or a component thereof (for example, pen-fixed ultrasound device 210) may be determined in accordance with (i) the aforementioned measured times of ultra-sound travel; and (ii) the speed of sound within the writing surface 140. Related methods for tracking the position of the digital pen 100 are disclosed.

Abstract: A rangefinder, for locating an object moving parallel to a planar surface, is rigidly attached to a carrier that is pivotably movable between an obverse position and a reverse position relative to a planar surface. Preferably, an orienting mechanism is provided for determining which position, obverse or reverse, the carrier and rangefinder are in. Preferably, a pivot, for pivoting the carrier and the rangefinder between the two positions, is rigidly attached either to the plane surface or to an attachment mechanism for reversibly attaching the carrier to the planar surface.

Abstract: Various electronic pen devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ultrasound transducer (i.e. transmitter or receiver) is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ‘pen up/pen down’ detector is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved structure for transmitting infrared light is provided. In one embodiment, an improved electronic pen that may be operated in pen mode or mouse mode is provided.

Abstract: Various electronic pen devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ultrasound transducer (i.e. transmitter or receiver) is provided. In one embodiment an electronic pen with an improved ‘pen up/pen down’ detector is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved structure for transmitting infrared light is provided. In one embodiment, an improved electronic pen that may be operated in pen mode or mouse mode is provided.

Abstract: Various electronic pen devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ultrasound transducer (i.e. transmitter or receiver) is provided. In one embodiment an electronic pen with an improved ‘pen up/pen down’ detector is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved structure for transmitting infrared light is provided. In one embodiment, an improved electronic pen that may be operated in pen mode or mouse mode is provided.

Abstract: Various electronic pen devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved ultrasound transducer (i.e. transmitter or receiver) is provided. In one embodiment an electronic pen with an improved ‘pen up/pen down’ detector is provided In one embodiment, an electronic pen with an improved structure for transmitting infrared light is provided. In one embodiment, an improved electronic pen that may be operated in pen mode or mouse mode is provided.

Abstract: An infrared connector for establishing a communications link between a processing device having an infrared port and another device, including an attachment configuration, an infrared interface and a communications cable. The infrared interface is mechanically connected to the attachment configuration and the communications cable is connected to the infrared interface. The invention also includes a method to operate a system to prevent interference between infrared signals of a processor-input device and a processing device, by time multiplexing the signals of the two systems.

Abstract: A digitizer pen system including: a pen having an elongated body terminating in a writing tip and at least one ultrasound transducer deployed adjacent to the writing tip. The digitizer pen also includes a writing element removably inserted into the writing tip. The writing element has an end protruding from the writing tip. The digitizer pen also includes an extraction tool including a plurality of flexible leaves deployed around a central position. The flexible leaves are spaced such that, when the extraction tool is pressed onto the protruding end of the writing element, the flexible leaves grip the protruding end so as to facilitate extraction of the writing element. The elongated body has a main grip surface. The elongated body includes at least one radial projection located between the ultrasound transducer and the main grip surface.

Abstract: A presentation board digitizer system for large boards preferably employs at least three spaced-apart ultrasound receivers assemblies. A current position of an ultrasound transmitter is assigned as a weighted centroid of time-of-flight position measurements based on at least two pairs of receiver assemblies. The weighting used varies as a function of the position of the transmitter across the board. A preferred structure of an ultrasound receiver assembly for use in the system employs a pair of ultrasound receivers arranged side-by-side in a line perpendicular to the surface of the presentation board. The receivers are connected so as to generate a total output signal corresponding to the instantaneous sum of the ultrasound signals received at each, such that the receiver assembly is most sensitive to ultrasound signals incident from a plane adjacent to the presentation board.

Abstract: A presentation board digitizer system for large boards preferably employs at least three spaced-apart ultrasound receivers assemblies. A current position of an ultrasound transmitter is assigned as a weighted centroid of time-of-flight position measurements based on at least two pairs of receiver assemblies. The weighting used varies as a function of the position of the transmitter across the board. A preferred structure of an ultrasound receiver assembly for use in the system employs a pair of ultrasound receivers arranged side-by-side in a line perpendicular to the surface of the presentation board. The receivers are connected so as to generate a total output signal corresponding to the instantaneous sum of the ultrasound signals received at each, such that the receiver assembly is most sensitive to ultrasound signals incident from a plane adjacent to the presentation board.

Abstract: An infrared connector for establishing a communications link between a processing device having an infrared port and another device, including an attachment configuration, an infrared interface and a communications cable. The infrared interface is mechanically connected to the attachment configuration and the communications cable is connected to the infrared interface. The invention also includes a method to operate a system to prevent interference between infrared signals of a processor-input device and a processing device, by time multiplexing the signals of the two systems.

Abstract: An infrared connector for establishing a communications link between a processing device having an infrared port and another device, including an attachment configuration, an infrared interface and a communications cable. The infrared interface is mechanically connected to the attachment configuration and the communications cable is connected to the infrared interface. The invention also includes a method to operate a system to prevent interference between infrared signals of a processor-input device and a processing device, by time multiplexing the signals of the two systems.

Abstract: A presentation board digitizer system for large boards preferably employs at least three spaced-apart ultrasound receivers assemblies. A current position of an ultrasound transmitter is assigned as a weighted centroid of time-of-flight position measurements based on at least two pairs of receiver assemblies. The weighting used varies as a function of the position of the transmitter across the board. A preferred structure of an ultrasound receiver assembly for use in the system employs a pair of ultrasound receivers arranged side-by-side in a line perpendicular to the surface of the presentation board. The receivers are connected so as to generate a total output signal corresponding to the instantaneous sum of the ultrasound signals received at each, such that the receiver assembly is most sensitive to ultrasound signals incident from a plane adjacent to the presentation board.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer that includes a piezoelectric film having a first end and a second end, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric film, at least one securing member and a support structure which is generally cylindrical. The first end and the second end of the piezoelectric film are secured to the support structure by at least one securing member.

Abstract: A digitizer pen including a pen having an elongated body terminating in a tip, a locator device configured to enable tracking a location of the tip on a substrate and a writing implement primarily disposed within the elongated body. The writing implement has an electric charge substantially at the tip for writing on the substrate which is responsive to an applied electric field.

Abstract: A digitizer pen system including: a pen having an elongated body terminating in a writing tip and at least one ultrasound transducer deployed adjacent to the writing tip. The digitizer pen also includes a writing element removably inserted into the writing tip. The writing element has an end protruding from the writing tip. The digitizer pen also includes an extraction tool including a plurality of flexible leaves deployed around a central position. The flexible leaves are spaced such that, when the extraction tool is pressed onto the protruding end of the writing element, the flexible leaves grip the protruding end so as to facilitate extraction of the writing element. The elongated body has a main grip surface. The elongated body includes at least one radial projection located between the ultrasound transducer and the main grip surface.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer that includes a piezoelectric film having a first end and a second end, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric film, at least one securing member and a support structure which is generally cylindrical. The first end and the second end of the piezoelectric film are secured to the support structure by at least one securing member.

Abstract: A presentation board digitizer system for large boards preferably employs at least three spaced-apart ultrasound receivers assemblies. A current position of an ultrasound transmitter is assigned as a weighted centroid of time-of-flight position measurements based on at least two pairs of receiver assemblies. The weighting used varies as a function of the position of the transmitter across the board. A preferred structure of an ultrasound receiver assembly for use in the system employs a pair of ultrasound receivers arranged side-by-side in a line perpendicular to the surface of the presentation board. The receivers are connected so as to generate a total output signal corresponding to the instantaneous sum of the ultrasound signals received at each, such that the receiver assembly is most sensitive to ultrasound signals incident from a plane adjacent to the presentation board.