US4013835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data entry system
Assignee: Bull HN Information Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1975-10-23
•
Granted: 1977-03-22
•
Expires: 1995-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A novel data entry system is disclosed which comprises both a touch sensitive device and a location identification device. The touch sensitive device includes a printed circuit board arrangement of conductors which define data input locations that are touch sensitive. The locations are touch sensitive by virtue of a layer of variable resistance material disposed over the printed circuit board which is highly conductive when subjected to touch pressure. The electrical conductivity of a touched location is sensed by the location identification device which thereafter provides a digital coding of the location and maintains the same until the touch pressure has been removed. The location identification device moreover prevents the double entry of data due to any variation in the touch pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Eachus
- 👤 Theodore S. Graff
- 👤 Douglas H. Seggelin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:03
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/96; H03K17/9625; H03M; H03M11/00; H03M11/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
In a data entry system wherein data is entered by depressing locations on a touch sensitive device, apparatus for identifying a depressed location comprising: a matrix of conductors comprising a plurality of first conductors oriented in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors oriented in a second direction transverse to said first directions; a plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means for conducting electrical current between respective first and second conductors, each said pressure sensitive electroconductive means being operative to conduct an electrical current when the location immediate thereto has been depressed; means for sequentially testing each pressure sensitive electroconductive means for the existence of the current that is established between a respective first conductor and a respective second conductor when the location immediate thereto has been depressed; and means, responsive to said testing means, for terminating the testing of each pressure sensitve electroconductive means when a deprressed location has been identified, said terminating means comprising: means, responsive to said testing means, for generating a status signal indicative of a depressed location having been identified, means for applying the status signal to said means for sequentially testing each electroconductive means so as to terminate the sequential testing, and means for temporarily maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the location is no longer depressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a data entry system wherein data is entered by depressing locations on a touch sensitive device, apparatus for identifying a depressed location comprising: a matrix of conductors comprising a plurality of first conductors oriented in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors oriented in a second direction transverse to said first directions; a plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means for conducting electrical current between respective first and second conductors, each said pressure sensitive electroconductive means being operative to conduct an electrical current when the location immediate thereto has been depressed; means for sequentially testing each pressure sensitive electroconductive means for the existence of the current that is established between a respective first conductor and a respective second conductor when the location immediate thereto has been depressed; and means, responsive to said testing means, for terminating the testing of each pressure sensitve electroconductive means when a deprressed location has been identified, said terminating means comprising: means, responsive to said testing means, for generating a status signal indicative of a depressed location having been identified, means for applying the status signal to said means for sequentially testing each electroconductive means so as to terminate the sequential testing, and means for temporarily maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the location is no longer depressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal comprises: means for applying a bilevel signal to said means for generating a status signal, said bilevel signal having a time duration greater than the time required to remove pressure from a depressed location; and means for periodically triggering said means for generating a status signal so as to cause said status signal to logically follow the level of said bilevel signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for sequentially testing each pressure sensitive electroconductive means comprises: means for providing a second periodic signal, and means for applying the second periodic signal to said means for periodically triggering said means for generating a status signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for sequentially testing each pressure sensitive electroconductive means comprises: means for providing a first periodic signal for use in sequentially testing each of said electroconductive means, and means for selectively gating the first periodic signal, said selective gating means being operative to inhibit the gating of the first periodic signal in response to the signal level of said status signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said testing means comprises: means, responsive to said first periodic signal, for sequentially sensing the signal conditions of said plurality of first conductors; and means for sequentially grounding each of said plurality of second conductors so as to change the signal condition on a first conductor when a pressure sensitive electroconductive means electrically connected thereto has been subjected to externally applied pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means each comprise: a terminal for one of said plurality of second conductors, said terminal being coplanar with said plurality of first conductors and spaced from a respective first conductor; and pressure sensitive, variable resistance material electrically connecting said terminal to said first conductor, said pressure sensitive material being operative to conduct electrical current between said respective first conductor and said terminal when depressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said plurality of first conductors and said plurality of second conductors lie on opposing surfaces of a rigid printed circuit board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said variable resistance, pressure sensitive material is flexible relative to the rigid board upon which said first and second plurality of conductors lie.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pressure sensitive, variable resistance material is isotropically conductive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said variable resistance, isotropically conductive material comprises an elastomer embedded with electrically conductive particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said terminating means comprises: means, responsive to said sensing means, for generating a status signal indicative of a depressed location having been identified; and means for temporarily maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the depressed location is no longer depressed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said testing means comprises: first means for sequentially counting said plurality of first conductors; second means for sequentially counting said plurality of second conductors; and means for driving said first and second counting means, said driving means being responsive to the status signal from said terminating means so as to discontinue driving said first and second counting means when a depressed location has been identified.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for entering information, said system comprising: a plurality of individually sensitive locations for entering information, each of said locations having a variable electrical conductivity so as to normally have a low conductivity which subsequently changes to a high conductivity when sensitized by entry of information for that location; a plurality of means for sensing the electrical conductivity of each of said plurality of locations; means for sequentially activating each of said plurality of sensing means; and means, responsive to said plurality of sensing means, for terminating the sequential activation of said sequential activating means when a high electrical conductivity has been sensed, said terminating means comprising: means for maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the sensed high conductivity disappears.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for entering information, said system comprising: a plurality of individually sensitive locations for entering information, each of said locations having a variable electrical conductivity so as to normally have a low conductivity which subsequently changes to a high conductivity when sensitized by entry of information for that location; a plurality of means for sensing the electrical conductivity of each of said plurality of locations; means for sequentially activating each of said plurality of sensing means; and means, responsive to said plurality of sensing means, for terminating the sequential activation of said sequential activating means when a high electrical conductivity has been sensed, said terminating means comprising: means for maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the sensed high conductivity disappears.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said means for maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal comprises: means for applying a bilevel signal to said means for generating a status signal, said bilevel signal having a time duration greater than the time required to return a sensitized location to a low conductive state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal further comprises: means for periodically triggering said means for generating a status signal so as to cause said status signal to logically follow the level of said bilevel signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said means for sequentially activating each of said plurality of sensing means comprises: means for providing a first periodic signal to sequentially activate each of said plurality of sensing means, and means for selectively gating the first periodic signal, said selective gating means being operative to inhibit the first periodic signal in response to the signal level of said status signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said means for sequentially activating each of said plurality of sensing means comprises: means for generating a second periodic signal, and means for applying the second periodic signal to said means for periodically triggering said means for generating a status signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 17 wherein each of said plurality of individually sensitive locations comprises: pressure sensitive electroconductive means for conducting electrical current, said pressure sensitive electroconductive means being normally high in resistance when not under an externally applied pressure and low in resistance only when subjected to externally applied pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means comprises: a rigid matrix of conductors comprising: a first plurality of conductors oriented in a first direction and lying on a first surface, a second plurality of conductors oriented in a second direction and lying on a second surface, and at least one conductive terminal on said first surface for each of said second plurality of conductors, each terminal being spaced from a respective conductor on the first surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means further comprises: a layer of variable resistance material positioned over said first surface of said rigid matrix of conductors, said variable resistance material being pressure sensitive so as to normally be high in resistance when not under externally applied pressure and low in resistance when subjected to externally applied pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said variable resistance material is isotropically conductive.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of individually sensitive locations comprises: pressure sensitive electroconductive means for conducting electrical current, said electroconductive means being normally high in resistance when not under an externally applied pressure and low in resistance when subjected to externally applied pressure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means comprises: a rigid matrix of conductors comprising: a first plurality of conductors oriented in a first direction and lying on a first surface, a second plurality of conductors oriented in a second direction and lying on a second surface, and at least one conductive terminal on said first surface for each of said second plurality of conductors, each terminal being spaced from a respective conductor on the first surface; and a layer of variable resistance material positioned over said first surface of said rigid matrix of conductors, said variable resistance material being pressure sensitive so as to normally be high in resistance when not under externally applied pressure and low in resistance when subjected to externally applied pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3539995A
Cited
US3503031A
Cited
US3757322A
Cited
US3758718A
Cited
US3860754A
Cited
US3944740A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |