US3801733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grid for an automatic coordinate determining device
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-28
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1991-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A device for determining position coordinates of points on a surface which includes a conducting grid structure having at least two grid elements to be placed over or under a surface and a cursor structure having a circular conducting loop element to be moved across the surface of the grid structure. An alternating electric signal is supplied to either the cursor conducting loop or to each of the conducting grid elements. This signal induces a signal in each element of the unexcited conducting structure. Position coordinates are determined by apparatus which measures the induced signal or signals and records the signal change produced when the cursor is moved across the grid surface. Several embodiments of measuring devices which determine the distance between arbitrary points on a surface such as a map, graph, or photograph are illustrated. Automatic plotting embodiments are also shown and described in which the plotting motion is determined by comparing signals representing the measured loop position on the grid with a preselected set of command signals.
Inventors
- 👤 K Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/046; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/14; G01D5/20; G01D5/204; G01D5/2073; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A grid for position determining and plotting apparatuses and the like comprising: a plurality of equally spaced parallel conductive portions; connecting conductive portions for connecting the opposite ends of said parallel portions to different adjacent parallel portions to form a continuous convoluted conductor; and an additional conductive portion connected to said convoluted conductor and positioned both adjacent and parallel to said connecting conductive portions for providing signals to negate any signals induced with respect to said connecting conductive portions during operation of the position determining, plotting, or like apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A grid for position determining and plotting apparatuses and the like comprising: a plurality of equally spaced parallel conductive portions; connecting conductive portions for connecting the opposite ends of said parallel portions to different adjacent parallel portions to form a continuous convoluted conductor; and an additional conductive portion connected to said convoluted conductor and positioned both adjacent and parallel to said connecting conductive portions for providing signals to negate any signals induced with respect to said connecting conductive portions during operation of the position determining, plotting, or like apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
275 words
A grid structure for defining positions with respect to a surface, said grid structure including a first and a second coordinate defining conductive array, said first array comprising: a first continuous low resistance conductive element, said conductive element being convoluted to form first parallel equally spaced sections lying in a plane parallel to said surface and defining positions with respect to one coordinate of said surface, said continuous element including connecting portions for connecting the ends of said parallel sections, said connecting portions connecting adjacent parallel sections and being alternatively positioned at opposite ends of said parallel sections; a first additional conductive member electrically connected to said first continuous conductive element, said first additional member being positioned in the proximity of said first continuous conductive element and lying in the same plane as said first continuous conductive element and parallel to said connecting portions; said second array comprising; a second continuous low resistance conductive element, said second conductive element being convoluted to form equally spaced sections lying in a plane parallel to said surface and defining positions with respect to another coordinate of said surface perpendicular to said one coordinate, said continuous element including connecting portions for connecting the ends of said parallel sections, said connecting portions connecting adjacent parallel sections and being alternatively positioned at opposite ends of said parallel sections; a second additional conductive member electrically connected to said second continuous conductive element, said second additional member being positioned in the proximity of said second continuous conductive element and lying in the same plane as second continuous conductive element and parallel to said connecting portions; means electrically insulating said first and second arrays.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
275 words
A grid structure for defining positions with respect to a surface, said grid structure including a first and a second coordinate defining conductive array, said first array comprising: a first continuous low resistance conductive element, said conductive element being convoluted to form first parallel equally spaced sections lying in a plane parallel to said surface and defining positions with respect to one coordinate of said surface, said continuous element including connecting portions for connecting the ends of said parallel sections, said connecting portions connecting adjacent parallel sections and being alternatively positioned at opposite ends of said parallel sections; a first additional conductive member electrically connected to said first continuous conductive element, said first additional member being positioned in the proximity of said first continuous conductive element and lying in the same plane as said first continuous conductive element and parallel to said connecting portions; said second array comprising; a second continuous low resistance conductive element, said second conductive element being convoluted to form equally spaced sections lying in a plane parallel to said surface and defining positions with respect to another coordinate of said surface perpendicular to said one coordinate, said continuous element including connecting portions for connecting the ends of said parallel sections, said connecting portions connecting adjacent parallel sections and being alternatively positioned at opposite ends of said parallel sections; a second additional conductive member electrically connected to said second continuous conductive element, said second additional member being positioned in the proximity of said second continuous conductive element and lying in the same plane as second continuous conductive element and parallel to said connecting portions; means electrically insulating said first and second arrays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The grid structure of claim 2, wherein said first array includes an additional conductive element similar to said first element electrically insulated from said first conductive element and arranged so that the parallel sections of the two elements are equally spaced and parallel; and said second array includes another element similar to said second element electrically insulated from said second conductive element and arranged so that the parallel sections of the two elements are equally spaced and parallel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The grid structure of claim 20, wherein the parallel sections of said additional conductive element are intermediate of the parallel sections of said first conductive element, and the parallel sections of said another element are intermediate of the parallel sections of said second conductive element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
A grid array for position determining and plotting apparatuses and the like comprising: a plurality of four convoluted grid elements lying in substantially parallel planes, each of said grid elements including a plurality of equally spaced parallel conductive portions arrAnged so that current in all adjacent portions flow in opposite directions, the parallel portions of two of said grid elements being parallel and immediately spaced with respect to one another to define coordinate positions along a first axis and the parallel portions of the other two of said grid elements being parallel and immediately spaced with respect to one another to define coordinate positions along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said parallel portions having a low resistance so that a negligible voltage drop occurs across said grid elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A grid array for position determining and plotting apparatuses and the like comprising: a plurality of four convoluted grid elements lying in substantially parallel planes, each of said grid elements including a plurality of equally spaced parallel conductive portions arrAnged so that current in all adjacent portions flow in opposite directions, the parallel portions of two of said grid elements being parallel and immediately spaced with respect to one another to define coordinate positions along a first axis and the parallel portions of the other two of said grid elements being parallel and immediately spaced with respect to one another to define coordinate positions along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said parallel portions having a low resistance so that a negligible voltage drop occurs across said grid elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The grid array of claim 5 wherein the spacing between said parallel portions of all of said grid elements is substantially equal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The grid array of claim 5 further including a sheet-like flexible nonconductive member electrically insulating said grid elements.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |