US4178481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical data entry devices
Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC
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Filing: 1978-01-06
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Granted: 1979-12-11
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Expires: 1998-01-06
Abstract
Abstract Planar resistive connecting means for the edges of a rectangular resistive graphic area has a higher effective resistance parallel to the edges of the resistive graphic area than that of the resistive graphic area. This higher effective resistance is formed by means of configuring the connecting areas such as by forming outer edges at acute angles with the edges of the resistive graphic area or by forming slits transverse to the edges of the resistive graphic area. There is also disclosed a combination of a resistive graphic area surrounded by a plurality of planar conductors forming multi-bit digital switching facilities operated by a common conductive plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor B. Kley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/045; G06F3/02; G06F3/0227; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/12; G06V40/13; G06V40/1306; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/041; G06F2203/04113; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/026; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/008; H01H2203/01; H01H2203/018; H01H2203/02; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/01; H01H2207/012; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/008; H01H2221/012; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/038; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A graphical entry device comprising a planar resistive sheet having a rectangular resistive graphic area with four edges and four resistive connecting means formed along and connected with the respective edges of the rectangular resistive graphic area, four electrically conducting means joined to the respective four resistive connecting means and spaced from the resistive graphic area for connecting to external circuitry, and said four resistive connecting means each being configured to have an effective resistance parallel to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area substantially higher than that of the graphic area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A graphical entry device comprising a planar resistive sheet having a rectangular resistive graphic area with four edges and four resistive connecting means formed along and connected with the respective edges of the rectangular resistive graphic area, four electrically conducting means joined to the respective four resistive connecting means and spaced from the resistive graphic area for connecting to external circuitry, and said four resistive connecting means each being configured to have an effective resistance parallel to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area substantially higher than that of the graphic area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the four resistive connecting means have two outer edges forming acute angles with the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the two outer edges of each resistive connecting portion terminate at points spaced from each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 3 wherein each resistive connecting means has a cutout between the two termination points, and said two termination points are electrically connected by conductive means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the four planar resistive means is triangular in configuration and each conductive means is joined to the outer point of the respective triangular configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the four resistive connecting means have slits formed therein extending transverse to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area to thus form increased resistivity in the resistive connecting means parallel to the edges of the rectangular graphic area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A graphic entry device as claimed in claim 6 wherein there are formed a plurality of slits within each of the four resistive connecting means transverse to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A graphic entry device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the slits are substantially perpendicular to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
164 words
A graphical and digital data entry device comprising a flexible planar member, a rigid planar member disposed parallel to but spaced from the flexible member such that depression can cause the flexible member to touch the rigid member, one of the flexible member and rigid member being conductive, a resistive layer disposed on the other of the flexible member and rigid member, said layer of resistive material being disposed in a rectangular pattern so as to form a graphic area for graphical data, a plurality of conductor patterns adjacent the graphic area, said conductor patterns defining first areas wherein only single conductors of said conductor patterns are exposed for engagement with the one member, and said conductor patterns also defining second areas between respective pairs of first areas wherein closely spaced fingers of the respective adjacent single conductors are interlaced so that depression of the flexible member at the second areas brings about engagement between the one member and both respective adjacent single conductors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
164 words
A graphical and digital data entry device comprising a flexible planar member, a rigid planar member disposed parallel to but spaced from the flexible member such that depression can cause the flexible member to touch the rigid member, one of the flexible member and rigid member being conductive, a resistive layer disposed on the other of the flexible member and rigid member, said layer of resistive material being disposed in a rectangular pattern so as to form a graphic area for graphical data, a plurality of conductor patterns adjacent the graphic area, said conductor patterns defining first areas wherein only single conductors of said conductor patterns are exposed for engagement with the one member, and said conductor patterns also defining second areas between respective pairs of first areas wherein closely spaced fingers of the respective adjacent single conductors are interlaced so that depression of the flexible member at the second areas brings about engagement between the one member and both respective adjacent single conductors.
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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) | 1982-12-10 | 1983-06-11 | 1983-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-10 | 1987-06-11 | 1987-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-10 | 1991-06-11 | 1991-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |