Patent US3684828A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3684828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Graphic communication system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-11-02
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a man-to-computer real-time graphic communication system that includes a piezoelectric substrate having a major surface defining an X, Y coordinate system. A pair of interdigitated surface wave transducers orthogonally disposed on the substrate surface transform periodic clock pulses from a pulse generator into two discrete surface wave pulses, one surface wave pulse propagating in the X coordinate direction of the substrate surface and the other propagating in the Y coordinate direction. A probe having an electric field detector tip is positioned at a location on the surface of the substrate and the time required for the periodic X and Y surface wave pulses to propagate to the probe is measured by a suitable counter. The elapsed time provides an analog of the X and Y coordinate location of the probe on the substrate surface. The X and Y coordinate location may be transferred directly to a computer for processing. If desired, the probe location may be displayed on a cathode ray tube to facilitate positioning of the probe by the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Maher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/043; G06F3/0433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A graphical communication system comprising in combination: a. a piezoelectric substrate having a major surface for receiving graphic information, discrete locations of said surface being defined by unique X and Y coordinates; b. means for periodically generating clock pulses; c. means for transforming said periodic pulses into at least two discrete surface wave pulses that propagate along said substrate surface in directions orthogonal to one another; d. means for detecting the electric field produced by said surface waves as they propagate along said surface; and e. means for measuring the time elapsed between generation of said pulses and detection thereof, said elapsed time providing an analog of the X and Y coordinate position of said detection means upon said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A graphical communication system comprising in combination: a. a piezoelectric substrate having a major surface for receiving graphic information, discrete locations of said surface being defined by unique X and Y coordinates; b. means for periodically generating clock pulses; c. means for transforming said periodic pulses into at least two discrete surface wave pulses that propagate along said substrate surface in directions orthogonal to one another; d. means for detecting the electric field produced by said surface waves as they propagate along said surface; and e. means for measuring the time elapsed between generation of said pulses and detection thereof, said elapsed time providing an analog of the X and Y coordinate position of said detection means upon said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A graphical communication system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for transforming said clock pulses to orthogonally propagating surface wave pulses comprises a pair of interdigital surface wave transducers orthogonally disposed on said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A graphical communication system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clock pulses have predetermined characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said clock pulses comprise linear frequency modulated pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A graphical communication system as et set forth in Claim 3 further comprising interdigital surface wave filters in the detector means, said filters being matched to the predetermined characteristics of said clock pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A graphical communication system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said substrate is a ceramic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A graphical communication system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said X and Y transducers are respectively comprised of a Plurality of discrete interdigital surface wave transducers.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of graphical communication comprising the steps of: a. periodically generating sequential orthogonal surface wave pulses on the surface of a piezoelectric substrate; b. positioning a stylus having an electric field detector point on said substrate surface such that said detector interacts with the electric field produced by propagation of said surface wave pulses thereby providing an electrical signal; c. measuring the time required for each of said orthogonal surface wave pulses to propagate to the position of said stylus to provide an analog of the X, Y coordinate position of said stylus on said surface; and d. electrically connecting said analog signal to a computer for processing.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of graphical communication comprising the steps of: a. periodically generating sequential orthogonal surface wave pulses on the surface of a piezoelectric substrate; b. positioning a stylus having an electric field detector point on said substrate surface such that said detector interacts with the electric field produced by propagation of said surface wave pulses thereby providing an electrical signal; c. measuring the time required for each of said orthogonal surface wave pulses to propagate to the position of said stylus to provide an analog of the X, Y coordinate position of said stylus on said surface; and d. electrically connecting said analog signal to a computer for processing.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for graphical communication comprising the steps of: a. simultaneously generating coded orthogonally disposed surface wave pulses on the surface of a piezoelectric substrate; b. positioning a stylus having an electric field detector point on said substrate surface such that said detector interacts with the electric field produced by propagation of said surface wave pulses thereby providing an electrical signal; c. filtering the signal produced by said stylus with interdigital surface wave filters respectively matched to said coded pulses thereby effectively separating the X and Y coordinate components of said signal; d. measuring the time required for each of said orthogonal surface wave pulses to propagate to the position of said stylus to provide an analog of the X, Y coordinate position of said stylus on said surface; and e. electrically connecting said analog signal to a computer for processing.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for graphical communication comprising the steps of: a. simultaneously generating coded orthogonally disposed surface wave pulses on the surface of a piezoelectric substrate; b. positioning a stylus having an electric field detector point on said substrate surface such that said detector interacts with the electric field produced by propagation of said surface wave pulses thereby providing an electrical signal; c. filtering the signal produced by said stylus with interdigital surface wave filters respectively matched to said coded pulses thereby effectively separating the X and Y coordinate components of said signal; d. measuring the time required for each of said orthogonal surface wave pulses to propagate to the position of said stylus to provide an analog of the X, Y coordinate position of said stylus on said surface; and e. electrically connecting said analog signal to a computer for processing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A graphical communication method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said coded pulses comprise linear frequency modulated pulses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |