Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Stylus
Patent
1995-08-25
1998-06-16
Hjerpe, Richard
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Stylus
345156, G09G 302
Patent
active
057678430
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a manually controlled input device for a computer for interactive control of information displayed on a video monitor.
Mechanical air brushes are known which have five operating parameters, specifically spatial position with respect to the surface to be sprayed in the X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates, as well as air pressure of the spray jet and the amount of ink in the spray jet. The two latter parameters typically are operated by a combined lever which can control both parameters independently of one another. Heretofore, a mechanical air brush could be simulated on the computer and used only by special software; moreover, only a portion of the function of a mechanical air brush can be simulated. That is, the dynamically changeable operating parameters are inputted by a "computer mouse" or a graph tablet, while the other parameters--specifically the static operating parameters--must be set before the use of the air brush function and therefore cannot be changed during processing.
European Patent Document EP 0 497 598 A2, discloses an electronic, manually operated small-size spraying device which may also be considered a mechanical device per se. It has a manual adjusting element for the air pressure to be adjusted and is provided with an air pressure sensor at the current outlet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,503, discloses a digital air brush device which can vary the contrast of specific image portions. A dynamic and independent change of all five parameters referred to previously is not possible by means of these two devices, however.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic input device of the type mentioned above, by means of which all five operating parameters available in a mechanical air brush can be changed dynamically and independently of one another during the operation.
This object is achieved by the computer simulated air brush according to the invention, which includes a hand held optical pen type sensor which interfaces with a video monitor and detects scanning signals from the video screen, a first electronic interface for acquiring scanning synchronization data to determine the position of the pen type sensor relative to the video screen surface, and a second electronic interface for controlling the operation of the air brush simulation in response to manipulation of a control lever on the pen type sensor.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic air brush connected to a computer system;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the air brush, showing its electronic construction;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electronic construction of a computer system suitable for use according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a graphic depiction of scanning of the monitor surface by the air brush;
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the lever function of an air brush, with an indication of the degrees of freedom of movement;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electronic air brush during the processing of a monitor image.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As illustrated in FIG. 1, an electronic air brush 10 (shown separately in FIG. 2) is connected with a computer system C (illustrated separately in FIG. 3), by way of three interfaces, specifically the interface 16, 21 between processing units 15 and 21, the connection of synchronization analysis unit 17 of the air brush 10 with the electronic module for the graphics card 26 of the computer C, and the coupling between monitor 24 and the air brush lens system 11 of the air brush 10. By optically sensing the scanning lines on computer monitor 24 by means of the air brush lens system 11, the system determines the coordinates of the air brush 10 relative to the computer monitor video screen 24. The latter connection therefor
REFERENCES:
patent: 3846826 (1974-11-01), Mueller
patent: 4591841 (1986-05-01), Gunderson et al.
patent: 4751503 (1988-06-01), Kermisch
patent: 5049863 (1991-09-01), Oka
patent: 5063376 (1991-11-01), Chang
patent: 5325473 (1994-06-01), Monroe et al.
patent: 5347620 (1994-09-01), Zimmer
patent: 5401917 (1995-03-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 5420607 (1995-05-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5488204 (1996-01-01), Mead et al.
Eisfeld Wolfgang
Rieger Robert
Wagner Dieter
Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
Hjerpe Richard
Lao Lun-Yi
LandOfFree
Manually controlled imput device for a computer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Manually controlled imput device for a computer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Manually controlled imput device for a computer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1731028