US5166668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wireless pen-type input device for use with a computer
Assignee: Data Stream Corp
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Filing: 1991-04-10
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Granted: 1992-11-24
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Expires: 2011-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A wireless input device for computer comprises a pen-type input device having a source of light capable of transmitting pulses. Two light receiving elements are provided and these light receiving element are disposed for detecting an incident angle of light inputted from the source of light. The wireless input device also has an input unit body having an operational unit for calculating the position of the pen-type input device from the amounts of light detected by the two light receiving elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Tetuji Aoyagi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0386; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0325; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03542; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A wireless input device for a computer comprising: a pen-type input unit having a light emitting element capable of emitting light pulses; two light receiving elements spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and arranged at a predetermined inclination angle facing toward an area in which said pen-type input unit is positioned, wherein each of said light receiving elements is a two-division light sensing means capable of detecting two separate quantities of incident received from said pen-type input unit indicative of an angle defined by the position of the pen-type input unit relative to the inclination angle of each said light receiving element; and a position detecting and calculating circuit electrically coupled to respective outputs of said light receiving elements and having means for calculating position coordinates corresponding to the position of said pen-type input unit derived on the basis of a ratio of the difference in light quantities to the sum of light quantities received by said receiving elements from said pen-type input unit, the predetermined distance between the two light receiving elements, and the predetermined inclination angle of the light receiving elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A wireless input device for a computer comprising: a pen-type input unit having a light emitting element capable of emitting light pulses; two light receiving elements spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and arranged at a predetermined inclination angle facing toward an area in which said pen-type input unit is positioned, wherein each of said light receiving elements is a two-division light sensing means capable of detecting two separate quantities of incident received from said pen-type input unit indicative of an angle defined by the position of the pen-type input unit relative to the inclination angle of each said light receiving element; and a position detecting and calculating circuit electrically coupled to respective outputs of said light receiving elements and having means for calculating position coordinates corresponding to the position of said pen-type input unit derived on the basis of a ratio of the difference in light quantities to the sum of light quantities received by said receiving elements from said pen-type input unit, the predetermined distance between the two light receiving elements, and the predetermined inclination angle of the light receiving elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wireless input device according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving elements are two-division pin photodiodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A wireless input device according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving elements are mounted in opposingly angled front walls of an input unit body adapted to lie on a support surface defining the area in which said pen-type input unit is positioned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wireless input device according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving elements are mounted in an input unit body formed with a keyboard for the computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A wireless input device according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving elements are mounted in an input unit body which includes a power charging portion for accomodating said pen-type input unit therein and for charging a power supply of said pen-type input unit via power charging terminals therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A wireless input device according to claim 1, wherein said pen-type input unit includes a mouse switch for causing the light emitting element to emit light pulses which are detected by said light receiving elements in order to calculate position coordinates corresponding to the position of said pen-type input unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wireless input device according to claim 1, wherein said pen-type input unit includes at least one click switch for causing the light emitting element to generate click-on and/or click-off light signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A wireless input device according to claim 1, wherein said position detecting and calculating circuit includes two differential amplifier circuits for receiving the respective outputs of the two light receiving elements and generating respective light quantities sum and difference signals and supplying them to the position calculating portion of said circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wireless input device according to claim 7, wherein said position detecting and calculating circuit includes a click pulse detecting circuit for detecting click-on and/or click-off light signals generated by the light emitting element of said pen-type input unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A wireless input device according to claim 7, wherein said light receiving elements are capable of detecting light pulses emitted by said pen-type input device to indicate its position in a three-dimensional space.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-24 | 1996-05-25 | 1996-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-24 | 2000-05-25 | 2000-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-05-25 | 2004-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |