US3692936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic coordinate data determination system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-18
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-06-18
Abstract
Abstract The use of graphical display devices in conjunction with digital computer and data processing systems is enhanced by an acoustic coordinate determinating system providing a completely unobstructed view of the display. A transparent sheet of suitable material, such as glass, arranged in front of the display and acoustic waves are propagated in the material from a spaced pair of acoustic wave radiating elements radiating acoustic energy in the sheet at a frequency of the order of 185 kHz. An acoustic probe tuned to the frequency of the radiation is touched to the material for developing currents on arrival of the radiated waves. These currents control counting circuitry advanced by pulses derived from a 2.5 MHz oscillator under control of circuitry comprising conventional gating circuits and latches for manifesting values proportional to the distances of the probe at any given point in the display with respect to the two transducers. The conversion of counting circuitry values to r, theta or X-Y coordinates is done under programmed computer control if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 John Stuart Moffitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/043; G06F3/0433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A coordinate data determination system comprising a relatively thin sheet of isotropic material, a pair of acoustic wave emitting transducers spaced apart and coupled to said sheet for transducing acoustic waves therein, a sine wave oscillator, said oscillator being biased by a direct voltage at which one portion of each cycle of oscillation is of one polarity different from the other portion and the peak magnitude and time duration of said one portion is greater than that of said other portion, a gating circuit coupled to said sine wave oscillator and to said transducers for alternating said acoustic waves in said material, an acoustic wave sensing transducer for detecting wave fronts from said emitting transducers at any point on said material, circuitry coupled to said gating circuit for measuring the times of propagation of the acoustic waves emanating from said emitting transducers and arriving at said sensing transducer and for converting said time measurements into an indication of the location of said point with respect to that of said emitting transducers, and circuitry wherein said gating circuit is operated at the excursions of a cycle of the sine wave of said oscillator of said one portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A coordinate data determination system comprising a relatively thin sheet of isotropic material, a pair of acoustic wave emitting transducers spaced apart and coupled to said sheet for transducing acoustic waves therein, a sine wave oscillator, said oscillator being biased by a direct voltage at which one portion of each cycle of oscillation is of one polarity different from the other portion and the peak magnitude and time duration of said one portion is greater than that of said other portion, a gating circuit coupled to said sine wave oscillator and to said transducers for alternating said acoustic waves in said material, an acoustic wave sensing transducer for detecting wave fronts from said emitting transducers at any point on said material, circuitry coupled to said gating circuit for measuring the times of propagation of the acoustic waves emanating from said emitting transducers and arriving at said sensing transducer and for converting said time measurements into an indication of the location of said point with respect to that of said emitting transducers, and circuitry wherein said gating circuit is operated at the excursions of a cycle of the sine wave of said oscillator of said one portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 1 and wherein said greater portion of each cycle is of the order of 300* .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 1 and incorporating a pulse voltage generating circuit, two counting circuits, gating circuitry coupling said pulse voltage generating circuit to said counting circuits, a gating control circuit coupled to said oscillator gating circuit and to said gating circuitry for controlling the admission of pulses to said counting circuits and coupled to said sensing transducer for halting the admission of said pulses on receipt of signals therefrom, whereby the numbers of pulses admitted to said counting circuits are indicative of the location of a given point within said sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 3 and incorporating circuitry wherein pulses are applied to said counting circuits at the time said emitting transducers are pulsed and are stopped on the sensing of the first cycle of said acoustic waves by said sensing transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 3 and incorporating circuitry having constant values wherein said values are chosen such that said system has a damping factor at which the acoustic waves are damped between drive pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 3 and incorporating circuitry having constant values wherein said values are chosen such that the frequency of said pulse voltage generating circuitry is of the order of a thousand times greater than the frequency of said sine wave oscillator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 3 and incorporating excess count detecting and automatic counting circuit resetting circuitry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 1 and incorporating circuitry wherein one part of said measuring circuitry is set up on one cycle of oscillation of said sine wave oscillator and one radiating transducer corresponding to said one part is driven on the succeeding cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 3 and wherein said counting circuits are operated sequentially.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 9 and incorporating circuitry interposed in said system for recycling said counting circuits in event of failure of said acoustic wave sensing transducer to sense the arrival of an acoustic wave.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 10 and wherein said counting circuits have overflow indicating terminals coupled to said interposed recycling circuitry for recycling said system on the overflow of one of said counting circuits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A coordinate data determination System as defined in claim 10 and incorporating circuitry for recycling said system upon failure of said sensing transducer to sense the arrival of one wave from each of said radiating transducers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A coordinate data determination system as defined in claim 12 and incorporating bistable circuitry coupled to said recycling circuitry for indicating the availability of data on receipt of one wave from each of said radiating transducers by said sensing transducers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |