US4317005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position-determining system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-10-15
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Granted: 1982-02-23
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Expires: 1999-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A graphic position-determining system incorporating two Sell-type transducers that generate acoustic shockwaves and receive their reflections from a surface whose position is to be determined and from fixed calibration reflectors positioned at known distances from the transducers. The design of the transducer includes plastic microspheres between a metalized membrane and a back-electrode to improve the sensitivity, the back-electrode having non-parallel surfaces to reduce unwanted vibrations and permit rapid damping. Apparatus is illustrated for determining the position of a movable cursor and for the verification or transmission of handwriting.
Inventors
- 👤 Pieter de Bruyne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/043; G01; G01B; G01B17/00; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/48; G01H; G01H11/00; G01H11/06; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/18; G01S5/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/906; Y10S367/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
Position-determining apparatus including a movable object whose position between maximum and minimum limits is to be determined and which includes a surface capable of reflecting acoustic waves, transducer means arranged to radiate acoustic waves in the direction of said object and to receive acoustic waves reflected therefrom, pulse generation means for energizing said transducer to produce acoustic impulses, a calibration reflector capable of reflecting acoustic waves positioned within the range of said transducer means but outside the maximum and minimum limits of position measurement, and timing means responsive to impulses received by said transducer means to produce acoustic impulses, wherein said timing means is operative to measure the relative reception times of pulses reflected from said object and said calibration reflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
Position-determining apparatus including a movable object whose position between maximum and minimum limits is to be determined and which includes a surface capable of reflecting acoustic waves, transducer means arranged to radiate acoustic waves in the direction of said object and to receive acoustic waves reflected therefrom, pulse generation means for energizing said transducer to produce acoustic impulses, a calibration reflector capable of reflecting acoustic waves positioned within the range of said transducer means but outside the maximum and minimum limits of position measurement, and timing means responsive to impulses received by said transducer means to produce acoustic impulses, wherein said timing means is operative to measure the relative reception times of pulses reflected from said object and said calibration reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transducer means is a linear Sell-type transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transducer means includes first and second transducers and including a second calibration reflector facing said second transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
Position-determining apparatus including a movable object whose position is to be determined and which includes a surface capable of reflecting airborne acoustic waves, first and second linear transducers positioned at an angle greater than ninety degrees, pulse generation means coupled to said first transducer, each of said transducers being responsive to pulses radiated by said first transducer and reflected by said object, and timing means coupled to each of said transducers responsive to airborne pulses reflected from said object and including means for comparing the propagation time of an acoustic impulse from said first transducer to and from said object with the propagation time of an acoustic pulse traveling from said first transducer to said object and thence to said second transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
Position-determining apparatus including a movable object whose position is to be determined and which includes a surface capable of reflecting airborne acoustic waves, first and second linear transducers positioned at an angle greater than ninety degrees, pulse generation means coupled to said first transducer, each of said transducers being responsive to pulses radiated by said first transducer and reflected by said object, and timing means coupled to each of said transducers responsive to airborne pulses reflected from said object and including means for comparing the propagation time of an acoustic impulse from said first transducer to and from said object with the propagation time of an acoustic pulse traveling from said first transducer to said object and thence to said second transducer.
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) | 1985-02-22 | 1985-08-24 | 1986-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-22 | 1989-08-24 | 1990-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-08-24 | 1994-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |