John F Wentz

US Patent:

57060266, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Mar 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/404135

Inventors:

Robert Hormann Kent - Redwood City CA
John Dyer Wentz - New York NY

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345156

Abstract:

A digital input device has a thimble worn on a finger and operated as a mouse for displacement encoding or as a pointer for angular encoding, using a base unit. The thimble can also be attached to a stylus to form a tracing pen or joystick handle. A sensor preferably includes a contact roller at an end of the thimble that rotates with movement over a surface. The sensor emits a signal as a function of incremental displacement of the sensor over a surface, in X and Y directions. The sensor couples to the base unit at a universal joint and the base unit has a cup-shaped contact surface for encoding angular displacement around the universal joint, using displacement of the sensor over the cup-shaped surface. The contact roller is mechanically arranged to pass a coding strip having reflective, transmissive or magnetic stripes before a sensing element. The sensor can be pivoted back on the finger to enable typing.

US Patent:

48180840, Apr 4, 1989

Filed:

Jul 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/220350

Inventors:

John B. Wentz - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G02B 2136
G02B 2100

US Classification:

350508

Abstract:

A single eyepiece binocular microscope includes a microscope housing a generally horizontal base and housing several optical elements. An objective lens is positioned immediately above the specimen and adjacent the base plane. A first mirror, vertically above the objective lens, redirects the light down and away from the observer along a path to intersect a second mirror positioned adjacent the base plane. The second mirror redirects the light along a third light path up and towards the observer for intersection with a rear projection screen. A viewing chamber shields the screen from ambient light for a brighter image and for an illusion of depth. A second lens, positioned just behind the real image of the first lens, provides a real image at the screen. A third lens at the viewing opening creates a virtual image between the second mirror and the rear projection screen to aid the impression of depth. The arrangement provides an impression to the viewer of looking into the instrument and at the specimen, an important consideration for use by children.

US Patent:

D391503, Jul 10, 1990

Filed:

Apr 26, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/186980

Inventors:

John B. Wentz - Oakland CA

US Classification:

D16131