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EP0189590A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Input and display apparatus for a digitizing tablet

Assignee: Wang Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-12-23
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Abstract

Abstract A device for both entering and displaying information (10) includes imaging means (14) in which a plurality of elements (50) each has a visual characteristic which is visible at a writing surface (12) and which depends on electrically stimulating the element (50) via conductive means (38, 42), the imaging means (14) is arranged to produce electrical manifestations at the conductive means (38, 42) in response to writing stimuli (15), and the device (10) also includes circuitry (18) which delivers electrical signals to the conductive means (38, 42) to form an image and converts the elearical manifestations into digital form.

Inventors

  • 👤 James Patrick Johnston
  • 👤 Donald L. Russel

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 20:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/0412; G06F3/0414; G06F3/04146

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 143 words
Apparatus for both entering input information into and displaying output information from a data processor, comprising a writing surface (12) for receiving writing stimuli (15), characterized by imaging means (14) associated with the writing surface (12), including a plurality of elements (50) each having a visual characteristic which depends on electrical stimulation of the element and is visible at the writing surfce (12), and conductive means (38, 42) arranged to deliver electrical stimulation to the elements (50), the imaging means (14) being arranged to produce electrical manifestations at the conductive means (38, 42) in response to the writing stimuli (15), and control circuitry (54) for delivering electrical signals to the conductive means (38, 42) to form an image of the output information visible at the writing surface (12) and for converting the electrical manifestations to a digital form representative of the input information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 143 words
Apparatus for both entering input information into and displaying output information from a data processor, comprising a writing surface (12) for receiving writing stimuli (15), characterized by imaging means (14) associated with the writing surface (12), including a plurality of elements (50) each having a visual characteristic which depends on electrical stimulation of the element and is visible at the writing surfce (12), and conductive means (38, 42) arranged to deliver electrical stimulation to the elements (50), the imaging means (14) being arranged to produce electrical manifestations at the conductive means (38, 42) in response to the writing stimuli (15), and control circuitry (54) for delivering electrical signals to the conductive means (38, 42) to form an image of the output information visible at the writing surface (12) and for converting the electrical manifestations to a digital form representative of the input information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 characterized in that the elements (50) comprising a fluid material contained between said writing surface (12) and a support layer (32) parallel to and spaced from said writing surface (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 characterized in that the fluid material comprises a liquid crystalline material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the conductive means (38, 42) comprise a pair of electrodes associated with each element (50).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 4 characterized in that the electrodes and the associated element (50) are arranged so that the electrical manifestations correspond to changes in conductance of the element (50) resulting from the stimuli (15).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 7 characterized in that the writing surface (12) comprises a resilient layer (30) and the writing stimuli (15) comprise depressing the writing surface (12) at locations (17) corresponding to the input information.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 50 words
The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the conductive means (38, 42) comprises a set of row conductors (42) and a set of column conductors (38), said two sets intersecting to define a grid (44) of locations each corresponding to one of the elements (50).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 45 words
The apparatus of claim 7 characterized in that the control circuitry (54) comprises driver circuitry (52, 56) for scanning selected row conductors (42) and column conductors (38) to form said image, and sensor circuitry (60) for sensing the electrical manifestations at selected column conductors (38).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatuas for claim 8 characterized by control circuitry for interlacing (72) the operation of the driver circuitry (52, 56) and sensor (60) circuitry.

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