What is a light pen?

The term Light Pen has several meanings. First, it refers to an illuminated battery -controlled pen that has an LED lamp at the tip to write in the dark. Secondly, it refers to the pens used to create light "doodles" for a long exposure photo. Thirdly, some are used to indicate a tablet pen for interaction with a computer through a peripheral tablet, whether it is actually used in the tablet pen operation. The fourth and most often is an input device that allows the user to interact with the computer display. Whirlwind was a computer prototype of the 1950s for the United States air defense system and a light pen - shaped as a weapon with a handle attached under the pen head - was used to select blocks on the CRT screen (cathode beam).

The luminous pen acts as a receptor acting in conjunction with a computer display. The Peru button is pressed because it is bound with a point on the display. Then,When the pixel that marks the pen refreshes, the lights identify the location and transmit the information associated with this location and identifies the X and Y coordinates. The light pen can be used to select items on the display or draw on the display. The opportunity to be able to interact "naturally", as it does with a pencil or pen rather than a keyboard or mouse, was considered great progress.

Light pens enjoyed the flourishing at the beginning of the 80s, but the ergonomic trunk of the pen on the screen over time reduced their use. However, they are still used in the TV show Jeopardy as a tool with which competitors write their bets, as well as in some industries. Arena, where the light pen continues to use sales UDE in applications, kiosks, gaming, graphic arts and UDE health applications. New innovations in light loners include models that combine lightweight line technology with barcode scanner.