EP0121387A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for sensing spatial coordinates
Assignee: Interand Corp
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Filing: 1984-03-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A system for sensing the spatial position of a moveable object (14) with respect to an energized conductive surface (10,12) whereby the spatial coordinates (x, y) of the object are determined. The system provides a means of accurately measuring the coordinates of the object with respect to a two-dimensional coordinate system independent of the third orthogonal dimension, thereby avoiding significant measurement errors due to variations ofthe object's position in the third orthogonal dimension. The system also ascertains the coordinate (z) of the object in this third dimension, which can then be utilized as an independent control variable in the system. Further, the system can accommodate a number of energized conductive surfaces over which the object may be positioned and can determine the spatial coordinates of the object with respectto any such surface. ln general,the system of the present invention can ascertain the generalized n-tuple position vector of the object with respect to each of a plurality of generalized, energized conductive surfaces. In any of the foregoing forms, the energized conductive surfaces can be transparent.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Reiffel
- 👤 Wayne Douglas Jung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K11/00; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/045; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0383
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
305 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial position of a probe with respect to a conductive surface, comprising: conductive surface = means having first and second pairs of regions; drive means for alternately providing current to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means and to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means; reference position shift means for alternatively clamping first and second locations on said conductive surface means to a reference potential,'said reference position shift means alternately clamping the first and second locations to the reference potential while said drive means provides current to each of the first and second pairs of regions; probe means for providing a potential signal related to the potential on said conductive surface means at the point nearest to said probe means, said probe means providing a first potential signal when the first location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means and a second potential signal when the second location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means; and processor means for determining a first coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals during the time said drive means is providing current to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means, and for determining a second coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals during the time said drive means is providing current to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
305 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial position of a probe with respect to a conductive surface, comprising: conductive surface = means having first and second pairs of regions; drive means for alternately providing current to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means and to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means; reference position shift means for alternatively clamping first and second locations on said conductive surface means to a reference potential,'said reference position shift means alternately clamping the first and second locations to the reference potential while said drive means provides current to each of the first and second pairs of regions; probe means for providing a potential signal related to the potential on said conductive surface means at the point nearest to said probe means, said probe means providing a first potential signal when the first location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means and a second potential signal when the second location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means; and processor means for determining a first coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals during the time said drive means is providing current to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means, and for determining a second coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals during the time said drive means is providing current to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
162 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises: controlled gain amplifier means for maintaining the sum of said first potential signal and said second potential signal equal to a constant, the gain of said controlled gain amplifier means being varied in accordance with the orthogonal distance between said probe means and said conductive surface means, and wherein said processor means determines the first coordinate position from the relationship between the value of said constant sum of said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals during the time said drive means is providing current to the first pair of regions, and for determining the second coordinate position of said probe means from the relationship between the value of said constant sum of said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals during the time said drive means is providing current to the second pair of regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said reference position shift means alternatively clamps more than two locations on said conductive surface means to a reference potential, wherein said probe means provides a separate potential signal when each of the locations on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential, and wherein said processor means determines the first and second coordinate positions from the relationships among the potential signals and their values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said conductive surface means comprises a non-planar surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said conductive surface means comprises a planar surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said drive means provides current to the first and second pairs of regions by inductive coupling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or in any of claims 3 to 6, when appendant thereto, wherein said processor means determines the orthogonal distance between said probe means and said conductive surface means from the gain of said controlled gain amplifier means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
227 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or in any of claims 3 to 6 when appendant thereto, or claim 7,further comprising at least one additional conductive surface means, wherein when said probe means is not positioned above said conductive suface means, the gain of said controlled gain amplifier means exceeds a predetermined level while current is being provided to said conductive surface means and first and second potential signals are being produced by said probe means, and wherein said processor means controls said drive means to provide current to one of said conductive surface means and, while current is being provided to said one of said conductive surface means, said processor means determines the gain of said controlled gain amplifier means, and if the gain is less than the predetermined level the position of said probe means with respect to said one of said conductive surface means is determined, and if the gain exceeds the predetermined level said processor means causes said drive means to cease providing current to said one of said conductive surface means and to provide current to another of said conductive surface means, whereby each of said conductive surface means is polled by said processor means and the position of said probe means is determined with respect to the one of said conductive surface means above which said probe means is positioned.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said probe means provides said first and second potential signals, with reference to the first and second locations, respectively, alternately clamped to the reference potential, by capacitive coupling between said probe means and said conductive surface means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of said first and second pairs of regions includes an array of electrical contacts.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein data corresponding to the impedance between a plurality of points on said conductive surface means and the perimeter thereof are stored in a memory means, and said data are utilized by said processor means to determine a position coordinate on said conductive surface means from said first and second potential signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or in any of claims 6 to 11 when appendant thereto, wherein said conductive surface means is substantially rectangular and said first and second locations that are clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means are in opposing corners of said conductive surface means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
146 words
The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said drive means further comprises: first and second transformer means, each of said first and second transformer means.having at least one primary and at least one secondary, the at least one primary of said first transformer means being connected to a first region of a first pair of regions of said conductive surface means and the at least one secondary of said first transformer means being connected to a second region of the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means, the at least one primary of said second transformer means being connected to a first region of a second pair of regions of said conductive surface means and the at least one secondary of said second transformer means being connected to a second region of the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first and second transformer means includes more than one secondary and wherein said secondaries of said first transformer-means are connected to the second region of the first pair of regions in such order and phasing as to cause alternating current to flow in a continuous sheet between the first and second regions of the first pair of regions and wherein said secondaries of said second transformer means are connected to the second regions of the second pair of regions in such order and phasing as to cause alternating current to flow in a continuous sheet between the first and second regions of the second pair of regions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said first and second transformers includes more than one primary and wherein the primaries of said first transformer means are connected in parallel and the primaries of said second transformer means are connected in parallel.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
73 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim- 2 or any of claims 3 to 15 when appendant thereto, wherein said probe means further comprises rectifying means for rectifying the first and second potential signals to provide a time averaged value thereof and wherein said controlled gain amplifier means further comprises automatic gain control circuit means, the output of which is inversely proportional to the time averaged value of the first and second potential signals.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conductive surface means further comprises a gold film deposited on a polymer substrate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conductive surface means further comprises: a supporting base; a conductive layer; first layer means for bonding said conductive layer to said supporting base; second layer means deposited over said conductive layer to protect said conductive layer, said second layer means being dimensioned to leave an exposed strip along the perimeter of said conductive layer for making electrical connection thereto; a printed circuit board configured with a hole on the interior thereof; and third layer means. for bonding said printed circuit board to said second layer means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial coordinates of an object with respect to a surface, the apparatus comprising: conductive surface means; energizing means for energizing said conductive surface means; a plurality of reference means; distinguishing means for distinguishing each of said reference means; probe means for providing a signal corresponding to the reference means distinguished by said distinguishing means and to the location of said probe means in relationship to said conductive surface means; signal processing means responsive to the signal provided by said probe means and to said energizing means for producing an output signal uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial coordinates of an object with respect to a surface, the apparatus comprising: conductive surface means; energizing means for energizing said conductive surface means; a plurality of reference means; distinguishing means for distinguishing each of said reference means; probe means for providing a signal corresponding to the reference means distinguished by said distinguishing means and to the location of said probe means in relationship to said conductive surface means; signal processing means responsive to the signal provided by said probe means and to said energizing means for producing an output signal uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said conductive surface means has at least first and second pairs of regions, each of said first and second pairs of regions being approximately rectilinear and in proximity to one boundary of the desired working area of said conductive surface means, said first pair of regions being substantially parallel to each other and said second pair of regions being substantially parallel to each other, and wherein said energizing means has at least first and second sets of paired output means, each of said first and second sets of paired output means comprising at least one output pair, each of said output pairs being substantially electrically isolated from the other said output pairs.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein each of the output pairs of said first and second sets of paired output means comprises the ends of a transformer winding.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein each of said first and second sets of paired output means comprises at least one pair of active solid-state generators, each of said pairs of generators being substantially electrically isolated from the other said pairs of generators.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
107 words
The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22 wherein said pair of regions is energized by said energizing means during a first time period and said second pair of regions is energized during a second time period, whereby said signal processing means produces an output signal uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to a coordinate axis orthogonal to said first pair of regions during said first time period and an output signal uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to a coordinate axis orthogonal to said second pair of regions during said second time period.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said energizing means includes switching means to energize said first and second pairs of regions during said first and second time periods respectively.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
220 words
A process for determining at least two spatial coordinates of an object with respect to a surface, which comprises: energizing a conductive surface along a first axis thereby creating a field in the vicinity of said conductive surface and along the first axis; sensing a first field potential difference between the location of the object and a first reference location; sensing a second field potential difference between the location of the object and a second reference location; summing the first and second sensed potential differences; scaling the first and second potential differences by a first scale variable to cause the sum to equal a constant; determining a first coordinate from the scaled first potential difference; a energizing the conductive surface along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis thereby creating a field in the vicinity of said conductive surface and along the second axis; sensing a third field potential difference between the location of the object and the first reference location; sensing a fourth field potential difference between the location of the object and the second reference location; summing the third and fourth sensed potential differences; scaling the third and fourth sensed potential differences by a second scale variable to cause the sum to equal a constant; and determining a second coordinate from the scaled third potential difference.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
220 words
A process for determining at least two spatial coordinates of an object with respect to a surface, which comprises: energizing a conductive surface along a first axis thereby creating a field in the vicinity of said conductive surface and along the first axis; sensing a first field potential difference between the location of the object and a first reference location; sensing a second field potential difference between the location of the object and a second reference location; summing the first and second sensed potential differences; scaling the first and second potential differences by a first scale variable to cause the sum to equal a constant; determining a first coordinate from the scaled first potential difference; a energizing the conductive surface along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis thereby creating a field in the vicinity of said conductive surface and along the second axis; sensing a third field potential difference between the location of the object and the first reference location; sensing a fourth field potential difference between the location of the object and the second reference location; summing the third and fourth sensed potential differences; scaling the third and fourth sensed potential differences by a second scale variable to cause the sum to equal a constant; and determining a second coordinate from the scaled third potential difference.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
60 words
The process as claimed in claim 25 further comprising determining a third spatial coordinate of the object generally orthogonal to the surface by: noting the first scale variable by which the first and second sensed potential differences are scaled: and determining the third orthogonal coordinate from a table of predetermined data relating the scale variable with the third orthogonal coordinate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process as claimed in claim 25 or 26 wherein the first scale variable and the second scale variable are equal.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for providing input data to data processing equipment by interpreting the position of a probe with respect to a surface, comprising: conductive surface means; probe means for providing a probe signal related to the location of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means, said probe means being moveable; signal processing means responsive to the probe signal for providing output data uniquely determined by the location of said probe means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for providing input data to data processing equipment by interpreting the position of a probe with respect to a surface, comprising: conductive surface means; probe means for providing a probe signal related to the location of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means, said probe means being moveable; signal processing means responsive to the probe signal for providing output data uniquely determined by the location of said probe means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said conductive surface means is transparent and further comprises indicia means in registration with said conductive surface means such that a human can visually register the location of said probe means with respect to said indicia means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 29 further comprising: first insulating means over said conductive surface means; and second insulating means enveloping said probe means, whereby said conductive surface means and said probe means are insulated from contact by a human operator of the apparatus.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for determining at least three spatial coordinates of an object with respect to at least two surfaces comprising: first conductive surface means; second conductive surface means adjacent to and substantially orthogonal to said first conductive surface means: energizing means for energizing said first and second conductive surface means; probe means for providing a probe signal related to the location of said probe means with respect to said first and second conductive surface means; signal processing means responsive to the probe signal for producing output data uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to at least a selected one of said first and second conductive surface means.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for determining at least three spatial coordinates of an object with respect to at least two surfaces comprising: first conductive surface means; second conductive surface means adjacent to and substantially orthogonal to said first conductive surface means: energizing means for energizing said first and second conductive surface means; probe means for providing a probe signal related to the location of said probe means with respect to said first and second conductive surface means; signal processing means responsive to the probe signal for producing output data uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to at least a selected one of said first and second conductive surface means.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial coordinates of an object with respect to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of conductive surface means; energizing means for energizing each of said conductive surface means at an energizing 'frequency different from the energizing frequencies at which the other of said conductive surfaces are energized; a plurality of reference means on each of said conductive surface means; selecting means for selecting each of said reference means; probe means responsive to the energizing of at least one of said conductive surface means for providing a probe signal corresponding to the reference means selected, to the location of said probe means in relationship to at least one of said conductive surface means and to the energizing frequency of the at least one of said conductive surface means; decoder means responsive to the probe signal for detecting the energizing frequency of the at least one of said conductive surface means and thereby determining which of said conductive surface means the probe signal is responsive to; and signal processing means responsive to the probe signal and to said energizing means for producing an output signal uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to each of said conductive surface means to which the probe signal is responsive.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial coordinates of an object with respect to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of conductive surface means; energizing means for energizing each of said conductive surface means at an energizing 'frequency different from the energizing frequencies at which the other of said conductive surfaces are energized; a plurality of reference means on each of said conductive surface means; selecting means for selecting each of said reference means; probe means responsive to the energizing of at least one of said conductive surface means for providing a probe signal corresponding to the reference means selected, to the location of said probe means in relationship to at least one of said conductive surface means and to the energizing frequency of the at least one of said conductive surface means; decoder means responsive to the probe signal for detecting the energizing frequency of the at least one of said conductive surface means and thereby determining which of said conductive surface means the probe signal is responsive to; and signal processing means responsive to the probe signal and to said energizing means for producing an output signal uniquely representative of the location of said probe means with respect to each of said conductive surface means to which the probe signal is responsive.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
313 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial position of a probe with respect to a conductive surface, comprising: conductive surface means having first and second pairs of regions; drive means for providing alternating current at a first frequency to the first pair of regions of said conductive means and for providing alternating current at a second frequency to the second pair of regions of said conductive means; reference position shift means for alternatively clamping first and second locations on said conductive surface means to a reference potential, said reference position shift means alternately clamping the first and second locations to the reference potential while said drive means provides current to each of the first and second pairs of regions; probe means for providing a potential signal related to the potential on said conductive surface means at the point on said conductive surface means nearest to said probe means, said probe means providing a first potential signal when the first location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means and a second potential signal when the second location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means; and processor means for determining a first coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the alternating current at said first frequency provided to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means, and for determining a second coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the alternating current at said"second frequency provided to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
313 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial position of a probe with respect to a conductive surface, comprising: conductive surface means having first and second pairs of regions; drive means for providing alternating current at a first frequency to the first pair of regions of said conductive means and for providing alternating current at a second frequency to the second pair of regions of said conductive means; reference position shift means for alternatively clamping first and second locations on said conductive surface means to a reference potential, said reference position shift means alternately clamping the first and second locations to the reference potential while said drive means provides current to each of the first and second pairs of regions; probe means for providing a potential signal related to the potential on said conductive surface means at the point on said conductive surface means nearest to said probe means, said probe means providing a first potential signal when the first location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means and a second potential signal when the second location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means; and processor means for determining a first coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the alternating current at said first frequency provided to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means, and for determining a second coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the alternating current at said"second frequency provided to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
333 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial position of a probe with respect to a conductive surface, comprising: conductive surface means having first and second pairs of regions; drive means for providing current to said first and second pairs of regions in quadrature, whereby the current is provided to said first and second pairs of regions with a phase difference of one-fourth of one period- reference position shift means for alternatively clamping first and second locations on said conductive surface means to a reference potential, said reference position shift means alternately clamping the first and second locations to the reference potential while said drive means provides current to each of the first and second pairs of regions; probe means for providing a potential signal related to the potential on said conductive surface means at the point on said conductive surface means nearest to said probe means, said probe means providing a first potential signal when the first location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means and a second potential signal when the second location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means;- processor means for determing a first coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the current provided at the first of two said phases one-fourth of one period apart to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means, and for determining a second coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the current provided at the second of two said phases one-fourth of one period apart to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
333 words
An apparatus for determining the spatial position of a probe with respect to a conductive surface, comprising: conductive surface means having first and second pairs of regions; drive means for providing current to said first and second pairs of regions in quadrature, whereby the current is provided to said first and second pairs of regions with a phase difference of one-fourth of one period- reference position shift means for alternatively clamping first and second locations on said conductive surface means to a reference potential, said reference position shift means alternately clamping the first and second locations to the reference potential while said drive means provides current to each of the first and second pairs of regions; probe means for providing a potential signal related to the potential on said conductive surface means at the point on said conductive surface means nearest to said probe means, said probe means providing a first potential signal when the first location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means and a second potential signal when the second location on said conductive surface means is clamped to the reference potential by said reference position shift means;- processor means for determing a first coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the current provided at the first of two said phases one-fourth of one period apart to the first pair of regions of said conductive surface means, and for determining a second coordinate position of said probe means with respect to said conductive surface means from the relationship between said first and second potential signals and the values of said first and second potential signals derived from the current provided at the second of two said phases one-fourth of one period apart to the second pair of regions of said conductive surface means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
I 35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a controlled gain amplifier means to restrict the absolute range of variation of the signals derived from said probe means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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