US3868555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Line tracing apparatus
Assignee: INSTRONICS Ltd
•
Filing: 1972-01-24
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1992-01-24
Abstract
Abstract Means for providing the X and Y coordinates of selected points on a line as the line is traced by a projected graticule controlled by a manually movable index; a movable member carrying both an optical graticule projector and a source of radiation is located below a transparent table top and is moved by servo means to follow movement of the index, which index carries radiation sensing means. The servo means operate X and Y encoders, and the operator by actuation a ''''read-out'''' switch selects those points for which the X and Y coordinates are to be provided as outputs.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Knowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 03:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
Means adapted to provide the X and Y coordinates of selected points along a manually traced line, relative to a preselected origin and axis of reference, comprising: a. a planar table providing a transparent support for a map or drawing, or for a sheet on which a projected image is received, lines on a surface of which map, drawing or sheet are to be traced; a movable member positioned on the side of the transparent support remote from the said map, or drawing, or sheet; c. light projecting means carried by the movable member and arranged to project a graticle through the support onto the said surface, the position of which graticle relative to the said movable member is fixed; d. operator controlled means, including a free cursor index manually movable by said operator to trace said lines, by which the said movable member can be moved to cause the said graticle to follow a desired line on the said sheet; e. X axis encoding means arranged to provide an indication of any change in position of the movable member along a predetermined X axis on the said sheet; f. Y axis encoding means arranged to provide an indication of any change in position of the movable member along a predetermined Y axis on the said sheet; and g. operator actuated read-out means providing when actuated an output indicative of X and Y coordinates ascertained by the two encoding means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
Means adapted to provide the X and Y coordinates of selected points along a manually traced line, relative to a preselected origin and axis of reference, comprising: a. a planar table providing a transparent support for a map or drawing, or for a sheet on which a projected image is received, lines on a surface of which map, drawing or sheet are to be traced; a movable member positioned on the side of the transparent support remote from the said map, or drawing, or sheet; c. light projecting means carried by the movable member and arranged to project a graticle through the support onto the said surface, the position of which graticle relative to the said movable member is fixed; d. operator controlled means, including a free cursor index manually movable by said operator to trace said lines, by which the said movable member can be moved to cause the said graticle to follow a desired line on the said sheet; e. X axis encoding means arranged to provide an indication of any change in position of the movable member along a predetermined X axis on the said sheet; f. Y axis encoding means arranged to provide an indication of any change in position of the movable member along a predetermined Y axis on the said sheet; and g. operator actuated read-out means providing when actuated an output indicative of X and Y coordinates ascertained by the two encoding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 1, in which the operator controlled means by which the said movable member can be moved further comprise: servo means effective to cause the said movable member to follow automatically the said movements of the index by the operator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 1, in which the operator controlled means by which the said movable member can be moved comprise: a. a source of guidance radiation associated with and movable with the said movable member, and located on the same side of the transparent support as the movable member; b. radiation detecting means affixed to the movable index and effective to receive radiation through the transparent support from the radiation source; and c. servo means arranged to receive an error signal from the radiation detecting means and to reposition the said movable member to correct any deviation of the positioning of the source from a position immediately opposite the radiation detecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 3, and in which the radiation used is electromagnetic guidance radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 4 and in which the guidance radiation used has a frequency lying in the range 3 to 9 kilocycles per second.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 4 and in which the guidance radiation used has frequency close to 3 kilocycles, per second.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 3 and in which mounting means for the movable member comprise: a. a guide member extending parallel to one edge of the planar table; b. an arm slidably carried by the guide member and extending away from the guide member at 90 degrees; c. a slider carried by the arm and movable along that arm; the radiation source being mounted on and movable with the said slider.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 3 and in which the manually movable index is in the form of a window, and the radiation detecting means consist of a multiturn coil mounted on and encircling the said window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 3 and in which a tuned preamplifier is connected between the radiation detecting means and the servo means to eliminate at least to a large extent unwanted signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 3 and in which the radiation source comprises two coil means disposed with their axes respectively at right angles to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 3 and in which the servo means include a first cable arranged over pulleys and arranged to move the radiation source in a direction parallel to a Y axis and a second cable arranged over pulleys and arranged to move the radiation source in a direction parallel to a X axis which is at right angles to the said Y axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Coordinate providing means according to claim 1, and in which each encoding means is an optical pulse encoder.
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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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |