16 Jul
2001
16 Jul
'01
7:40 a.m.
From: Michael Brutman <mbbrutman(a)chartermi.net>
I've never seen a light pen in use on any machine ... I've
only seen them in pictures. How do these things work?
Does anybody know how to obtain one or have information
on how to build on?
Thanks,
Mike
As I understand it the light pen detects the electron beam on the CRT
display as it passes the end of the pen and can decode from the timing where
the pen is located. Somewhere I have a light pen kit that was used to
emulate certain types of IBM terminals. Many hospitals used light pens to
move through the menus for patient registration and order entry.
Pointer to some more information
http://www.ftgdata.com/products/lightpennav.html
Mike
mmcfadden(a)cmh.edu