Abstract: A wireless beam-pen pointing device is proposed, which is designed for use with a computer unit, a presentation screen, and a beam pen. The presentation screen is coupled with a beam-spot position detector which is capable of detecting the beam-spot position where the light beam strikes on the presentation screen and transfer the beam-spot position data to the notebook computer. In response, the notebook computer will move the cursor to the detected beam-spot position. The beam pen is capable of emitting a light beam, such as a laser beam, which allows the speaker to point the light beam at a particular object displayed on the presentation screen that is currently being mentioned in the speaker's speech. The cursor movement is under control by the light beam, so that the cursor will be moved to the location currently pointed by the light beam.

Abstract: A display includes an encapsulated display media, a rear electrode, and a movable electrode. The encapsulated display media comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising a plurality of particles dispersed in a fluid. The display media has a first surface and a second surface. The rear electrode is disposed adjacent the second surface of the display media. The movable electrode and the rear electrode apply an electric field across the display media.

Abstract: A liquid crystal is configured as a photonic crystal by an establishment of a network of biased liquid crystal regions within the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal is situated between a dielectric plane including an electrode plate and a glass plate, and a dielectric plane including a glass plate and a plurality of electrode pixels. The network is established by a selective application of one or more electric potentials between an electrode plate and one or more of the electrode pixels.

Abstract: A digital pen that has an ink writing tip includes a laser on a pen body that directs light toward paper across which the writing tip is stroked. A CMOS camera or CCD is also mounted on the pen body for detecting reflections of the laser light, referred to as “speckles”. A processor in the pen body determines relative pen motion based on the speckles. A contact sensor such as an FSR on the pen body senses when the tip is pressed against the paper, with positions being recorded on a flash memory in the pen body when the contact sensor indicates that the pen is against the paper. The memory can be later engaged with a handwriting recognition device to correlate the positions to alpha-numeric characters. Ordinary paper can be used, but, if desired, special bar-coded paper can also be used, so that the recorded positions can be tagged with a page number, form field, and absolute position on the page.

Abstract: A device is provided for capturing complete analog motion, rather than digital events. A beam of columnated light, generated from a laser emitting diode, it directed at a clear, rotatable ball bearing having a series of reflecting indicia within the surface of the ball bearing. The reflection of columnated light off of these indicia makes the analog motion of the ball bearing a capturable, optical event. A sensor reads through the clear ball bearing and converts this motion into memory. The raw data then goes into the temporary RAM, which holds all excess data as other date is streamed into the microprocessors. Those processors change the raw data into digital code, which can then be understood and translated by most modern personal computers. The digital code can then be stored in the unit's non-volatile RAM, where it remains until it is uploaded into a PC resident software program.

Abstract: A stylus apparatus and method includes a manually operable lightpipe for transmitting light. The manually operable lightpipe includes a body portion for transmitting the light, the body portion having an outer surface. The manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion for receiving the light, and a display end portion for displaying the light. A protective cover layer is positioned over outer surface of the body portion to direct the light from the receiving end portion to the display end portion and to prevent the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.

Abstract: An electronic seal stamp and an electronic sheet are used. The electronic seal stamp has a stamp surface, and has a storing function and output function for electronic information. The electronic sheet is of a sheet shape, has a surface capable of being impressed, and has a storing function and input function for electronic information. When the electronic seal stamp is impressed on the electronic sheet, a seal image on the stamp surface of the electronic seal stamp is transferred to the surface of the electronic sheet. At the same time, the electronic information stored in the storing function of the electronic seal stamp is transferred to the storing function of the electronic sheet, through the output function of the electronic seal stamp and the input function of the electronic sheet. Thus, an electronic seal stamp system, in which both impression of the stamp surface and electronic sealing are possible, is realized.

Abstract: A wireless input device having an outward appearance resembling a standard ballpoint pen operates as both a standard ballpoint pen or similar writing instrument as well as an input device. The pen includes directional sensors for determining the direction and length of each pen stroke. A transmitter is provided in the pen barrel for transmitting the stroke signals directly to a computer for input and processing each stroke to provide an accurate representation of the pen stroke as it is being made. The transmitter may be a wireless device for transmitting a low frequency radio signal to a receiver associated with the computer. This permits the pen to be utilized anywhere within the transmitting range of the device, and in any orientation, with the computer picking up, processing and storing the signal representing the pen strokes.

Abstract: A hand-writing input and recording device is housed in a case and may be hand-held by a user when in use. The device includes a contact element, an amplifying element, a sense element, an X-Y axes matrix element, a recording and storing element, a transmitting element and a receiving element. When the contact element generates a displacement variation in the X-Y axes, the X-Y axes displacement variation value will be emitted from the transmitting element to the receiving element and input into a computer for display on a computer screen to show the characters or patterns generated from the X-Y axes displacement variation value.

Abstract: The present invention is provided for preventing the occurrence of cracks on an upper resistance film 11 derived from the repeated push inputting manipulation so as to eliminate the erroneous operation of coordinates detection. To achieve such an object, an upper substrate 4A having the upper resistance film 11 formed on an inner surface of a soft film member and a lower substrate 4B having a lower resistance film 12 formed on an inner surface of a hard plate are laminated with each other while inserting dot spacers 90 in a gap defined between opposing surfaces of the respective resistance films 11, 12, an input inoperable region NR where the upper substrate 4A is bent toward the lower substrate 4B is provided to a periphery of an input region AR by the push inputting manipulation, and a stress attenuating member 100A which gradually decreases a height thereof from the seal region SL side to the input region AR side is provided to the input inoperative region NR.

Abstract: A display includes an encapsulated display media, a rear electrode, and a movable electrode. The encapsulated display media comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising a plurality of particles dispersed in a fluid. The display media has a first surface and a second surface. The rear electrode is disposed adjacent the second surface of the display media. The movable electrode and the rear electrode apply an electric field across the display media.

Abstract: In a portable telephone according to the present invention, a display displays a block indicative of an operator, predetermined information and a pointer; the operator can be operated in directions opposite to each other; and the controller controls the display so as to shift the pointer to a desirable position within a predetermined information on a screen of the display in accordance with an operation of the operator and also display a mark indicative of a direction to which the pointer can be shifted and in which the predetermined information exists, adjacently to the block along a shift direction through the operator.

Abstract: In connection with an electronic reading/annotation device, a method for automatically selecting between an electronic writing pen tool used for handwriting tasks and an electronic marker tool used for highlighting tasks is provided. Whereas handwriting normally consists of small radius curves, and frequent changes of direction, highlighting strokes are normally long and smooth with hardly ever a change of direction. The automatic selection method utilizes analysis of the shape of each stroke. More specifically, the length of each stroke is calculated between a starting point and a later made point of the stroke. If the length of the stroke is close to that of a straight line between the same two points and the stroke is determined not to be a handwriting stroke, the highlighting function is automatically selected. The exact determination of “close” is a tunable parameter.

Abstract: An electronic light pen used in conjunction with a video display permits the position of the light pen to be determined with respect to the video display by the particular color or grey scale value of light emitted by the video display and received by the electronic light pen. The light from the video display is separated into three primary colors for a color display, namely red, blue, and green, and separated into grey scale shades for a monochrome display. Positional information of the light pen is calculated based on the relation of the color measured to the color previously programmed and presently displayed on that area of the screen, at any instant in time. The light pen has a focusing system that focuses light from the display to its optical detectors. The optical detectors have red, green, and blue filters to determine the brightness of each color. A grey scale value may be determined if the display is monochrome.

Abstract: A mobile interface device receiving input from a stylus is provided to remotely control application programs running on a host computer. Such an interface device provides convenient access to any resource of the host computer, including, for example, a sharable database. An embodiment of such an interface device includes a pen-based graphical interface which communicates with an operating system on the host computer. In that embodiment, the operating system on the host computer has handwriting recognition capability.

Abstract: New arrangement of a vertical field effect transistor and a capacitor together forming a memory cell which in turn may be the basic building block of a memory chip, such as a very high density DRAM. The capacitor's first electrode is connected to the drain of the transistor. The transistor's source is connected to the sources of other transistors, the gate is connected to a word line, and the second electrode of said capacitor is connected to a bit line.

Abstract: The direct pointing apparatus and method therefor has a light sensing arrangement including a plurality of light receivers positioned around the outer periphery of a computer display and A/D interface circuitry coupling the light receivers to a host computer (laptop CPU) for processing converted digital values which are based on the IR intensities received by the light receivers from the directed light emitter. In accordance with this scheme, the location on the display to where the light emitter is pointing is computed from the intensities of light being sensed by the light receivers, the computing of the location being substantially independent of the distance of the light emitter from the light sensing arrangement. In one example, the incoming signals to the A/D interface circuitry from the light receivers are continuous and in parallel while the output of the A/D converter is an asynchronous serial signal.

Abstract: A light pen for a computer having an elongated body member which contains a photoluminescent material (PLM). The PLM absorbs ambient light of one wavelength, and radiates light of another wavelength in response. The radiated light is directed so as to be projected from a tip of the light pen as required.

Abstract: A computer-input stylus which provides visual color feedback when utilized in conjunction with a computer-implemented software-based drawing application. The input stylus includes a cylindrical body in a conical tip. A color display within the stylus is utilized to illuminate the conical tip with a color indicative of a currently selected color within the software-based drawing application, providing visual color feedback. The color display is implemented utilizing multiple light-emitting diodes or an active matrix liquid crystal display mounted within an optically transparent portion of the conical tip.

Abstract: A pen like computer pointing device images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the tip of the pen. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A contact sensor senses when the tip of the pointing device is in contact with the work surface. Buttons are included on the body of the pointing device that allow it to function in place of a computer mouse device.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a casing having a lens received in the first end thereof and a battery received in the second end thereof. A motor is received in the casing and has a shaft to which a transparent disk is co-rotatably mounted, a plurality of pictures imprinted on the transparent disk. A control device for actuating the motor is received in the casing and connected to a button on the casing. A laser beam generating device is located between the control device and the transparent disk, and aligns with the pictures when the transparent disk is co-rotated with the shaft so as to project a motion picture on a remote wall.

Abstract: A light pen input system includes a light sensing device (10) having a row and column array of light sensing elements (14) over which a light pen (12) is moved to write in information, e.g. for display on a display screen, the light beam emitted by the pen producing a light spot (20) on the array which covers, and is sensed by, adjacent elements and which, with the beam directed perpendicularly to the array, is substantially non-circular in shape, having dimensions in two directions over the array which differ from one another. Rotation of the pen around its axis is then detectable, providing additional functionality. An elongated light spot, e.g. elliptical, rectangular or triangular, provides further capabilities in enabling the width of a written stroke to be varied by twisting the pen.

Abstract: An optical touch input device comprises an array of actively addressed sensing elements (18) for sensing a light input, e.g. from a light pen, each of which comprises a capacitor (25) which is charged periodically through operation of a switch device (24) and a discharge circuit, including a photosensitive device (28) and a further switch device (27) connected across the capacitor, which circuit in operation demonstrates an optical threshold characteristic whereby the capacitor (25) is discharged in response to the sensing elements being subjected to light which is at or above a predetermined intensity level so as to discriminate from ambient light. Elements written into are determined by detecting the charge stage of their capacitors. The sensing element array can be integrated with a matrix display device with the sensing elements (18) and display elements components (12) provided on a common support using thin film technology.

Abstract: A large screen display comprising an image signal source such as a computer, an original image generator, a light-transmission screen, an on-screen pointing-position detecting means, and a light-pen built in an infra-red-ray emitting modulating means, wherein infra-red rays which are modulated by pressing force generated when the light-pen is pressed against the screen by an operator are emitted and the infrared rays are detected and amplified by an infrared-ray detector and demodulated by a demodulating means and then inputted to the image signal source, so that the tone and thickness of each stroke of a figure to be drawn and displayed can be displayed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having pixel selection switching elements in a one-to-one correspondence with pixels includes an interlace processing circuit for performing n (n is an odd number of 3 or larger): m (m is an arbitrary number equal to or smaller than n) interlace processing for a one-frame image signal, an n-fold rate converting device for performing n-fold rate conversion for the interlaced image signal, an image display for displaying an image by driving the pixel selection switching elements in accordance with the image signal subjected to the n-fold rate conversion, and a non-picture period processing means for disconnecting the n-fold rate converting device from the image display and performing desired processing for the image display during a non-picture period longer than a vertical blanking period.

Abstract: A pen input apparatus of the present invention is provided with an apparatus for detecting an inclination of an input pen. The apparatus for detecting an inclination of an input pen is composed of a hemispherical container, a conductive movable body, and detecting means. The hemispherical container, in which a hemispherical cavity is created, has an axis congruent with the axis of the input pen, and is provided so as to integrally move with the input pen, while a plurality of ring-shaped electrodes are concentrically provided with the input pen. The conductive movable body is provided in the hemispherical cavity, and moves according to the inclination of the input pen due to gravity. The detecting means detects the position of the movable body in the hemispherical cavity in accordance with how continuity is between the ring-shaped electrodes, and detects an inclination of the input pen in accordance with the detected position of the movable body.

Abstract: An optical-scanning system including a laser, a multi-faceted, rotational scanning mirror, and system-monitoring laser safety structure operatively and informationally connected respectively to the laser and to the mirror and the drive motor for the mirror for altering the effective power output of the laser in response to current operational status of the system as determined by current operational status of the rotating mirror. The safety structure enforces on the laser a duty cycle of operation which is less than 100-percent, causes the laser to power down to a low "sleep" operating level at times other than during a normal scanning sweep, de-powers the laser entirely if either the drive motor for the mirror is not enabled or the rotational speed of the mirror is below full normal operating speed, and also positively de-powers the laser when a user shuts down the system.

Abstract: A display unit of an input integral type has a display panel provided with a liquid crystal as a display medium. In the display unit, an optical waveguide is integrally formed in the shape of a matrix and approximately guides light having a predetermined wavelength in parallel with a surface of a display substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display comprises multiple capacitors which apply electric fields to liquid crystal material located between the capacitor plates. In the invention, each capacitor is associated with a sensor which detects the presence of a hand-held stylus. The detection can be done optically, acoustically, by pressure, by temperature, or by other means.

Abstract: A light pen for use in data imput to data processing equipment, has an adjustable tip assembly wherein the tip switch sensitivity and tactile feel or feedback to the user can be varied according to user preferences and particular applications. In one mode, the pen can be set for a normal, longer throw of the switch, so as to provide and require a definite touch or push action on the part of the user in order to actuate the switch. In another mode, the tip switch characteristics can be adjusted for a very light feel, so as to permit delicate input such as handwriting or drawing. The tip assembly includes an adjustable stop member provided within the tip housing, to provide a variable limit for the travel of the tip structure.

Abstract: A system for capturing handwritten data includes a base station, a docking station coupled to the base station and a plurality of portable handwriting capture devices, which may be in the form of pads or trays. The pads or trays normally rest in quick release slots in the docking station, and are removed from the slots when put into use. Each pad includes a digitizer for capturing handwritten information, a controller for digitizing the information, a memory for storing the digitized information and an interface for transmitting the digitized information through the docking station to the base station, where it is decoded. A paper slip may be placed over the digitizer and retained in position, where it provides visual feedback to a person writing on the pad and also provides a written record.

Abstract: An optical-scanning system including a laser, a multi-faceted, rotational scanning mirror, and system-monitoring laser safety structure operatively and informationally connected respectively to the laser and to the mirror and the drive motor for the mirror for altering the effective power output of the laser in response to current operational status of the system as determined by current operational status of the rotating mirror. The safety structure enforces on the laser a duty cycle of operation which is less than 100-percent, causes the laser to power down to a low "sleep" operating level at times other than during a normal scanning sweep, de-powers the laser entirely if either the drive motor for the mirror is not enabled or the rotational speed of the mirror is below full normal operating speed, and also positively de-powers the laser when a user shuts down the system.

Abstract: There is provided a column electrode drive circuit applicable to a display-integrated type tablet. A hold circuit has a plurality D-flip-flops. To clock terminals of the flip-flops is input an output signal of an AND circuit which receives inputs of a hold signal and a clock signal. To data terminals of the flip-flops are input sampled display signals. With the above-mentioned arrangement, when the hold signal is at "H" level, the sampled display signals are sequentially output as display signals without modification based on the clock signal. When the hold signal is a pulse signal, the sampled display signals are simultaneously output and held as the display signals. By thus making a simultaneous output function and a sequential output function compatible, the column electrode drive circuit can be utilized as a column electrode drive circuit for the display-integrated type tablet device.

Abstract: A display-integrated tablet device is disclosed and is capable of increasing an actual display period to improve luminance of an image displayed. An actual image display period in a one-image-plane display period is divided into a plurality of block display periods and a detection period is provided before or after each of the block display periods. During the detection period, a pulse for detection is generated from a stylus pen and a voltage obtained at each of electrodes is input to each of X- and Y-coordinate detection sections and held in those sections for coordinate detection.

Abstract: A noiseproof digitizing apparatus for digitizing the coordinates of a point on a tablet having grid conductors disposed along X and Y coordinate axes includes a cordless pen having a conductive end for transmitting an electrical signal to the grid conductors through of electrostatic capacitive coupling. An AC signal generator generates an AC signal and applies a balanced output of the AC signal to the conductive end, such that electrostatic capacitive coupling between the conductive end and the grid conductors causes a major balanced AC signal component and two minor unbalanced AC signal components to be produced in the grid conductors in response to the AC signal on the conductive end. A power supply supplies electrical power to the AC signal generator. A signal level measuring device measures the level of a signal current resulting from a sum of the major balanced AC signal component and the two minor unbalanced AC signal components produced in the grid conductors.

Abstract: A graphic input system for digitizing the location of an object moving on a planar surface and utilizing two or more primary laser light beams, the output beam of each scanning the planar surface through interposed controllably pivotally mounted beam deflecting scan mirrors. A stylus is moved over the planar surface in response to the position of the deflected position of the scanning beam. A signal generating beam detector positioned adjacent the planar surface delivers signals to a logical circuit to create the instantaneous value of a position voltage signal which is proportional to the tangent of the scan angle of each of the controllably deflected laser beams.

Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display device in which an array of picture elements which include respective switching means, e.g. TFTs, are driven a row at a time by drive signals supplied via a set of row and a set of column address conductors. The device also includes an array of active addressed sensing elements each consisting of a photosensitive element, e.g. a thin film photoresistor or photodiode, a charge storage capacitor and a switching device, e.g. a TFT. The sensing element connected to respective row and column address conductors. The charge storage capacitors are periodically charged through operation of their associated switching devices by the drive signals and are selectively discharged via their associated photosensitive element when illuminated by, for example, a light pen.

Abstract: An improved communication channel between two sites in which power for the second site is communicated via the cable from the first site's electrical source. Since the electrical source is used to create a higher voltage instead of power from the host apparatus at the first site, enhanced transmission is possible permitting the cable to extend in excess of one hundred fifty feet. Further, since the remote second site does not require any power at its location, it can operate in a wider range of applications and environments.

Abstract: A display device provides a liquid crystal 41 served as a display medium, a plurality of pixel electrodes for driving the liquid crystal 41, a plurality of lower electrodes x.sub.1 to x.sub.128 and upper electrodes Y.sub.1 to Y.sub.100 ranged in the row or column direction, a plurality of photoconductive elements S.sup.X.sub.1,1 to S.sup.X.sub.128,100 and S.sup.Y.sub.1,1 to S.sup.Y.sub.128,100 provided on each of these pixel electrodes for electrically connecting or disconnecting the signal lines with or from the pixel electrodes, and a plurality of linear luminous bodies X.sub.1 to X.sub.128 and Y.sub.1 to Y.sub.100 provided in the column and row directions in a manner to selectively apply light to the photoconductive elements and control connection or disconnection of the photoconductive elements.

Abstract: A switching circuit selects a display control circuit in an image display period, and selects a detection control circuit in an x-coordinate detection period. A row electrode drive circuit outputs row electrode scanning pulses in the image display period to sequentially scan row electrodes. A column electrode drive circuit outputs column electrode scanning pulses in the x-coordinate detection period to sequentially scan column electrodes. A coordinate detection circuit detects coordinates at a tip end of a detection pen based on an induction voltage induced at a tip electrode of the detection pen due to the scanning pulses. Accordingly, by detecting a y-coordinate at the tip end of the electronic pen in the image display period and detecting the x-coordinate in the x-coordinate detection period, a display-integrated type tablet device can achieve an increase in area of its display screen, high productivity, cost reduction, and high coordinate detection accuracy.

Abstract: A coordinate input apparatus for detecting and inputting the coordinates of pressure applied by a pen, includes an input surface and a detection apparatus. The input surface is constructed from first and second input detection members. The first input detection member has a rectangular resistance surface which has electrodes installed at its long ends. The second input detection member has a rectangular resistance surface which has electrodes installed at its short ends. The resistance surfaces for these first and second input members are overlaid so as to not ordinarily come into contact with each other. When pressure is applied to the input surface, the resistance surfaces for the first and second input detection members come into contact with each other. The detection apparatus detects the resistor at the pressurized portion at this time and obtains input coordinates for the X-Y coordinate axes at the input surface.

Abstract: There is provided an image input device-integrated type display device concurrently having an image display function, a document image input function, and a pen input function. A common electrode of the image input device-integrated type display unit is formed on a glass plate. A segment electrode is formed on a micro lens of a glass plate. An island electrode located at each pixel is connected to the segment electrode via a photoconductor. Liquid crystals are interposed between the common electrode and the island electrode. In an image input mode, light reflected on a document is applied to the photoconductor to control a voltage applied to the liquid crystals. In a pen input mode, light from an input pen is applied to the photoconductor to control a voltage applied to the liquid crystals. In an image display mode, a voltage applied to the liquid crystals is controlled according to image data of each pixel.

Abstract: A display integrated type position reading apparatus includes a display device driven for display in accordance with a driving signal in synchronization with a predetermined clock signal, and a conductive tablet mounted on a display screen of the display device. In operation, a CPU controls a tablet controller to apply voltage to the tablet. In response to a depression of an arbitrary position on the main surface of the tablet, the CPU reads out the depressed position as a digital signal via an A/D converter. The sampling by the A/D converter relating to reading is carried out at sampling points so as to avoid the mixing of noise, caused by a signal for driving the display unit, into the digital signal, resulting in an improvement in the read out accuracy of the depressed position.

Abstract: In a liquid-crystal display, each pixel is associated with a sensor which detects incoming light projected by a light pen. In response to the detected light, the sensor produces a signal which causes its associated pixel to darken. Thus, as a user moves the light pen along the display, the pen leaves a trail of darkened pixels, analogous to a pen leaving a trail of ink on paper.