EP0413606A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pen-type computer input device
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1990-08-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A pen-type computer input device is used to move a cursor on the display of a computer system or enter data such as of figures, letters, numerals, or the like into a computer system. The pen-type computer input device includes a shank, a pen nib disposed on the tip end of the shank, and a sensor disposed in the shank, for detecting the directions in which and the distances by which the pen nib moves in two perpendicular directions in a plane, in response to movement of the pen nib, and for producing an output signal representative of the directions and distances. Since the sensor can detect the distance by which the pen nib moves without any mechanical motion transmitting mechanism incorporated in the pen nib, the pen-type computer input device may be small in size and can be handled with ease.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Masaki
- 👤 Ryuichi Toyoda
- 👤 Kimikatsu Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03545; G06F3/03546
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A pen-type computer input device comprising: a shank having a tip end; a pen nib disposed on said tip end; and sensor means disposed in said shank, for detecting the directions in which and the distances by which said pen nib moves in two perpendicular directions in a plane, in response to movement of said pen nib, and for producing an output signal representative of said directions and distances.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A pen-type computer input device comprising: a shank having a tip end; a pen nib disposed on said tip end; and sensor means disposed in said shank, for detecting the directions in which and the distances by which said pen nib moves in two perpendicular directions in a plane, in response to movement of said pen nib, and for producing an output signal representative of said directions and distances.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
A pen-type computer input device according to claim 1, wherein said pen nib has a ball rotatably supported therein and an ink chamber for transferring ink through said ball to a surface against which the ball is held, in response to rotation of said ball, said sensor means comprising means for detecting the direction and amount of ink flowing in said ink chamber upon rotation of said ball, thereby producing an output signal representative of the direction in which said ball rotates and the distance by which said ball moves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
A pen-type computer input device according to claim 1, wherein said pen nib has a ball rotatably supported therein, said sensor means comprising means held in fric tional contact with said ball, for detecting the direction in which said ball rotates and the distance by which said ball moves based on frictional forces produced between said ball and said means in reponse to rotation of said ball, thereby producing an output signal representative of the direction in which said ball rotates and the distance by which said ball moves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pen-type computer input device according to claims 2 or 3, wherein said means comprises a silicon substrate, two springs mounted on said silicon substrate and movable in said two directions, respectively, and means for detecting displacements of said springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
pen-type computer input device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises an acceleration sensor for detecting accelerations in said two directions, respectively, a pressure detector for detecting a pressure applied to said pen nib, and a signal processing circuit for converting a signal from said acceleration sensor into a signal indicative of the distance by which said pen nib moves in said plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A pen-type computer input device according to claim 5, wherein said signal processing circuit comprises an integrating circuit for converting an acceleration signal from said acceleration sensor into a speed signal, a voltage-to-frequency converting circuit for converting the speed signal into a frequency corresponding to the voltage of the speed signal, and a direction determining circuit for determining the direction in which said ball rotates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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