The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 08, 1993
Jeffrey A Kautzer, Waukesha, WI (US);
Timothy P Putra, Wales, WI (US);
Gary F Relihan, Nashotah, WI (US);
General Electric Company, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
A hand-held device produces an omnidirectional beam of infra-red light which can be aimed by the user. A plurality of detectors positioned in a rectangular array adjacent a video monitor and each detector produces an electrical signal that varies as a function of the light intensity impinging thereon. A circuit compares the signals from the detectors to determine coordinates of a position on the monitor at which to place a cursor. A linear transfer function is applied to the detector signals before determining the coordinates. The coordinates are processed by a seventh order recursive digital filter and the resultant position must be a minimum distance from the present position before the cursor is relocated. By varying the direction of the light beam the cursor position can be changed. When the cursor is at the position desired by the user, the hand-held device is activated to produce a different light beam. The circuit responds to this change in the light beam by producing a signal indicating that the user has selected the present position of the cursor.