Patent US3636256A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3636256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Chart-reading apparatus
Assignee: INSTRONICS Ltd
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Filing: 1969-10-23
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1989-10-23
Abstract
Abstract Chart-reading apparatus for providing the ''''X'''' and ''''Y'''' coordinates of selected points on a line as the line is traced by a manually movable index. A source of radiation located below a table top is moved by servo means to follow movement of the index, which index carries radiation-sensing means. The servo means operate ''''X'''' and ''''Y'''' encoders, and the operator by actuation of a ''''readout'''' switch selects those points for which the ''''X'''' and ''''Y'''' coordinates are to be provided as outputs.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene A Cameron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K11/00; G06K11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
Apparatus for providing the X- and Y-coordinates of selected points along a manually traced line, relative to a preselected origin and axis of reference, comprising: a planar table providing a support for a map or drawing the lines of which are to be traced; a source of electromagnetic radiation located below the said planar table, but in close proximity to that table including a first X-axis source, and a second Y-axis source; means for supplying a first electrical signal to said X-axis source; means for supplying a second electrical signal to said Y-axis source; a manually movable index disposed above the table; radiation-detecting means affixed to the movable index and effective to receive radiation through the table from the radiation source and produce an error signal having a first component derived from said first signal and a second component derived from said second signal; mounting means below the table carrying said source of radiation and permitting movement of that source below a limited area of the table; servo means connected to said radiation source for receiving said error signal from said radiation-detecting means and for repositioning said mounting means to correct any deviation of said radiation source from a position immediately opposite said radiation-detecting means including means for detecting said first component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined X-axis in accordance with said first component and means for detecting said second component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined Y-axis, normal to said X-axis, in accordance with said second component; ''''X'''' axis encoding means operated by the servo means and providing an indication of any change in position of the source along said predetermined ''''X'''' axis on the table; ''''Y'''' axis encoding means operated by the servo means and providing an indication of any change in position of the source along said predetermined ''''Y'''' axis on the table, normal to the said ''''X'''' axis; and operator actuated readout means providing when actuated an output indicative of ''''X'''' and ''''Y'''' coordinates ascertained by the two encoding means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
Apparatus for providing the X- and Y-coordinates of selected points along a manually traced line, relative to a preselected origin and axis of reference, comprising: a planar table providing a support for a map or drawing the lines of which are to be traced; a source of electromagnetic radiation located below the said planar table, but in close proximity to that table including a first X-axis source, and a second Y-axis source; means for supplying a first electrical signal to said X-axis source; means for supplying a second electrical signal to said Y-axis source; a manually movable index disposed above the table; radiation-detecting means affixed to the movable index and effective to receive radiation through the table from the radiation source and produce an error signal having a first component derived from said first signal and a second component derived from said second signal; mounting means below the table carrying said source of radiation and permitting movement of that source below a limited area of the table; servo means connected to said radiation source for receiving said error signal from said radiation-detecting means and for repositioning said mounting means to correct any deviation of said radiation source from a position immediately opposite said radiation-detecting means including means for detecting said first component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined X-axis in accordance with said first component and means for detecting said second component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined Y-axis, normal to said X-axis, in accordance with said second component; ''''X'''' axis encoding means operated by the servo means and providing an indication of any change in position of the source along said predetermined ''''X'''' axis on the table; ''''Y'''' axis encoding means operated by the servo means and providing an indication of any change in position of the source along said predetermined ''''Y'''' axis on the table, normal to the said ''''X'''' axis; and operator actuated readout means providing when actuated an output indicative of ''''X'''' and ''''Y'''' coordinates ascertained by the two encoding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the radiation used has a frequency lying in the range 3 to 9 kc. per Second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the radiation used has frequency close to 9 kc., per second.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, and in which the mounting means comprise: a guide member extending parallel to one edge of the planar table; an arm slidably carried by the guide member and extending away from the guide member at 90*; a slider carried by the arm and movable along that arm; the radiation source being mounted on and movable with the said slider.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, and in which the manually movable index is in the form of a window provided with cross wires or the equivalent, and the radiation detecting means consist of a multiturn coil mounted on and encircling the said window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, and in which a tuned preamplifier is connected between the radiation detecting means and the servo means to eliminate at least to a large extent unwanted signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, and in which the radiation source comprises two coil means disposed with their axes respectively at right angles to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, and in which the servo means include a first cable arranged over pulleys and arranged to move the radiation source in a direction parallel to a ''''Y'''' axis and a second cable arranged over pulleys and arranged to move the radiation source in a direction parallel to a ''''X'''' axis which is at right angles to the said ''''Y'''' axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 1, and in which each encoding means is an optical pulse encoder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
256 words
Apparatus for providing the X- and Y-coordinates of selected points along a manually traced line, relative to a preselected origin and axis of reference, comprising: a planar table providing a support for a map or drawing the lines of which are to be traced; a source of radiation located below the said planar table, but in close proximity to that table including a first X-axis source and a second Y-axis source; means for supplying a first electrical signal to said X-axis source; means for supplying a second electrical signal to said Y-axis source; a manually movable index disposed above the table; radiation-detecting means affixed to the movable index and effective to receive radiation through the table from the radiation source and produce an error signal having a first component derived from said first signal and a second component derived from said second signal; mounting means below the table carrying the source of radiation and permitting movement of that source below a limited area of the table; and servo means connected to said radiation source to receive said error signal from the radiation-detecting means and to reposition the mounting means to correct any deviation of said source from a position immediately opposite the radiation-detecting means, including means for detecting said first component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined X-axis in accordance with said first component and means for detecting said second component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined Y-axis, normal to said X-axis, in accordance with said second component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
256 words
Apparatus for providing the X- and Y-coordinates of selected points along a manually traced line, relative to a preselected origin and axis of reference, comprising: a planar table providing a support for a map or drawing the lines of which are to be traced; a source of radiation located below the said planar table, but in close proximity to that table including a first X-axis source and a second Y-axis source; means for supplying a first electrical signal to said X-axis source; means for supplying a second electrical signal to said Y-axis source; a manually movable index disposed above the table; radiation-detecting means affixed to the movable index and effective to receive radiation through the table from the radiation source and produce an error signal having a first component derived from said first signal and a second component derived from said second signal; mounting means below the table carrying the source of radiation and permitting movement of that source below a limited area of the table; and servo means connected to said radiation source to receive said error signal from the radiation-detecting means and to reposition the mounting means to correct any deviation of said source from a position immediately opposite the radiation-detecting means, including means for detecting said first component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined X-axis in accordance with said first component and means for detecting said second component and causing said radiation source to move along a predetermined Y-axis, normal to said X-axis, in accordance with said second component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |