Two-axis positioning control

Claim 1

In a digital cursor positioner, the combination including an X-Y force responsive analog signal generator movable by an operator, pulse generating means receiving signals from said X-Y signal generator and producing pulses having a pulse rate which is infinitely variable non-linear between the maximum and minimum rates available from the pulse generator, the rate being a continuous function of the magnitude and polarity of said signal, an up-down counter connected to said pulse generator and producing a location indicating signal, and means receiving said location indicating signal and producing an indication of the location to be indicated to said operator.

Claim 4

An apparatus for digitally positioning a cursor on a cathode ray tube by manual control comprising means for generating X axis and Y axis analog signals responsive to the manual control; non-linear amplifying means for amplifying said X axis and Y axis signals, having a continuous, multiple slope amplifying characteristic; circuit means for quickened response to said non-linearly amplified X axis and Y axis signals; means for generating a first and second series of pulses, said first and second series of pulses being generated at a rate responsive to the magnitude and polarity of the quickened, non-linearly amplified X axis and Y axis signals, respectively; up-down counter means for determining the pulse rate of said first and second series of pulses; and means for applying the pulse rate of said first and second series of pulses to the X axis and Y axis of the cathode ray tube to position the cursor.

Claim 5

An apparatus for digitally positioning a cursor on a cathode ray tube by manual control comprising means for generating X axis and Y axis analog signals responsive to the manual control; non-linear amplifying means for amplifying said X axis and Y axis signals, having a continuous, multiple slope amplifying characteristic; circuit means for quickened response to said non-linearly amplified X axis and Y axis signals; means for generating a first and second series of pulses, said first and second series of pulses being generated at a rate responsive to the magnitude and polarity of the quickened, non-linearly amplified X axis and Y axis signals, respectively; up-down counter means for determining the pulse rate of said first and second series of pulses; and means for applying the pulse rate of said first and second series of pulses to the X axis and Y axis of the cathode ray tube to position the cursor.