Seymour, Connecticut-based Summagraphics Corp may be on to something with a deal it has done with a couple of inventors that have created ENP Partners to exploit some of their patented technology: it has signed ENP to work with it on development of an integrated liquid crystal diode-digitiser device that uses the LCD drive lines to sense the position of a pen, eliminating the need for a separate digitiser grid; the device will be used for pen computer systems to enable users to input text, graphics, or commands using a pen-like stylus as an on-screen writing or pointing device; the device will use the patented concept, which does not require the use of a separate pen-sensing panel, thereby reducing the cost, size and weight of such systems; the patent will be owned by the joint venture in which Summagraphics and ENP will each have 50%, and Summagraphics will provide necessary design, prototype, project management and other skills necessary to develop and market an operational integrated LCD-digitiser device and stylus.
