Proxima Corporation

Data Electronics, Inc.

Eric S Stevens

Lane Thomas Hauck

Leonid A Shapiro

Roger N Marshall

Jeffrey W Busch

William J McKnight

Dennis R Olmsted

A method and apparatus facilitates the alignment and light sensitivity adjustment of an optical computer input system, which includes a user generated light directed onto a screen bearing a computer generated image, to convey information to the computer interactively by the user, even in a darkened room. The system discriminates between the user generated image, and the computer generated image. Devices facilitate the proper alignment of the system with the screen, as well as proper light sensitivity adjustments.

Method and apparatus for calibrating an optical computer input system

A housing having a front angularly inclined portion, and a central platform portion for supporting from below, a video monitor. A rear portion includes sockets for connecting electrically to electrical equipment associated with the monitor for power control purposes. Actuator members are mounted reciprocatively in an angular front face of the front portion to switch power to the video monitor and a computer upon which the housing and video monitor are stacked.

Video monitor support and power distribution assembly

A tape drive has a movable read/write head. A tape cartridge is inserted endwise into a receptacle in the tape drive housing. The read/write head is moved to a retracted position away from the envelope of the cartridge so the read/write head avoids interference with the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the receptacle. The cartridge includes a magnetic tape and a door on the cartridge housing for opening to expose a portion of the tape once the tape is locked in the tape drive receptacle. The read/write head is then moved to an operative position in contact with the tape. The head-moving mechanism includes a support on which the head is carried, an elongated swing arm on which the head support slides vertically toward and away from the elevation of the tape, a rotatable cam, and a cam follower on the head support in contact with the rotatable cam for causing the head support to slide along the swing arm when the cam is rotated. A separate cam follower on the head support contacts a fixed cam for controlling lateral movement of the swing arm for moving the head toward or away from the plane of the tape. The fixed cam and follower cooperate with sliding motion of the head support for causing the swing arm to pivot and move the head horizontally into contact with the tape as the head moves vertically toward the elevation of the tape. When the head is retracted, the head support slides vertically along the swing arm away from the tape, and at the same time the contact between the second cam follower and the fixed cam forces the head to move horizontally away from the tape.

Tape cartridge drive with movable read/write head

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El Cajon, CA, United States of America

Eric S Stevens