US3707715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data input device
Assignee: Olivetti SpA
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Filing: 1971-01-19
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1991-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A data input device comprises a single cathode ray tube whose screen is divided into a plurality of zones. Each zone is scanned with a pattern characteristic of a corresponding code by means of a code matrix. Each pattern excites a zone of the screen to display a corresponding alphanumeric or other symbol with an intensity sufficient to excite a photodetector, which provides an output signal indicative of the code corresponding to a zone when this zone is at least partially obscurated, for increasing the luminous intensity of the character on the screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Pier Giorgio Perotto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:48
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968; H03K17/969; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0238
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A data input device for posting characters comprising a cathode ray tube having a screen divided in a plurality of zones, and screen scanning means for scanning said zones to cause the display of a character corresponding to the scanned zone in the same zone, wherein the improvement comprises: a photodetector for detecting the light generated by said zones, a plurality of light conveying means for conveying the light generated by said zones to said photodetector, and a plurality of decoders each one associated with a corresponding one of said zones and jointly activated by said photodetector and said scanning means to generate code signals corresponding to a zone of said plurality of zones which is at least partially obscured.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A data input device for posting characters comprising a cathode ray tube having a screen divided in a plurality of zones, and screen scanning means for scanning said zones to cause the display of a character corresponding to the scanned zone in the same zone, wherein the improvement comprises: a photodetector for detecting the light generated by said zones, a plurality of light conveying means for conveying the light generated by said zones to said photodetector, and a plurality of decoders each one associated with a corresponding one of said zones and jointly activated by said photodetector and said scanning means to generate code signals corresponding to a zone of said plurality of zones which is at least partially obscured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A data input device according to claim 1, including a layer of material disposed over at least a portion of said screen and having apertures over each one of said zones, wherein said light conveying means comprise a light guide extending from each of said zones to the photodetector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A data input device according to claim 2, comprising further means responsive to said code signals to increase the intensity with which the electron beam of the cathode ray tube scans the corresponding zone, thereby to illuminate the corresponding symbol of said zone with greater intensity and confirm input of the character corresponding to said zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A data input device according to claim 2 wherein said light guides pass through said layer of material to said photodetector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A data input device according to claim 4, wherein each of said apertures is dimensioned to receive a finger or other body for obscuring the zone corresponding to said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A data input device according to claim 1, wherein the screen of the cathode ray tube is divided into a first part for the display of symbols and a second part comprising said zones, said device comprising means responsive to at least one of said code signals to display a message corresponding to said code signals on the first part of the screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
A data input device according to claim 6, wherein said display means comprise a buffer store for storing in succession the code signals provided by said plurality of decoders as the second part of the screen is scanned, and a symbol generator coupled to said buffer store and responsive to the code signals stored therein during scanning of the first part of said screen by said scanning means for displaying a message made up of symbols corresponding to the codes of the code signals on the first part of the screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A data input device comprising: a cathode ray tube having a screen divided into a plurality of zones, each of said zones being associated with a corresponding character and individually conditionable for posting said corresponding character, displaying means for displaying said characters by exciting the zones of the screen according to the corresponding characters, and display control means responsive to the conditioned zone for causing said displaying means to incrementally excite the conditioned zone, whereby the posted character is displayed by an incrementally increased light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
A data input device comprising: a cathode ray tube having a screen divided into a plurality of zones, each of said zones being associated with a corresponding character and individually conditionable for posting said corresponding character, displaying means for displaying said characters by exciting the zones of the screen according to the corresponding characters, and display control means responsive to the conditioned zone for causing said displaying means to incrementally excite the conditioned zone, whereby the posted character is displayed by an incrementally increased light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A data input device according to claim 8, wherein said displaying means comprise an electron beam generator and said display control means comprise decoding means for decoding the zone of the screen to be incrementally excited, and circuit means activated by said decoding means for causing said electron beam generator to generate an electron beam of greater intensity in correspondence with said decoded zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A data input device according to claim 9, wherein said decoding means comprise a photodetector responsive to the light generated by each zone and generating a signal when a zone is at least partially obscured, scanning means for cyclically scanning said zones, and gate means associated with each of said plurality of zones and responsive to said scanning means and to the signal generated by said photodetector to activate said circuit means.
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) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |