US4507557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-contact X,Y digitizer using two dynamic ram imagers
Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research and Support Inc
•
Filing: 1983-04-01
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Granted: 1985-03-26
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Expires: 2003-04-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for detecting the position of an object within a viewing field, such as a CRT display screen. The apparatus includes point sources of radiation arranged at spaced locations around the edge of the viewing field and a retro-reflective surface disposed around the perimeter of the viewing field. The retro-reflective surface reflects radiation received from its originating source back toward this source. A radiation receiver is arranged adjacent to each source to receive the radiation reflected back from the retro-reflective surface and to determine the angular position of an object within the viewing field which interrupts the path of radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Constantine J. Tsikos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0428; G06F3/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for detecting the position of an object within a viewing field, said apparatus comprising, in combination: (a) a first, substantially point source of radiation disposed at a first location on the perimeter of said viewing field and arranged to illuminate said viewing field with radiation; (b) a retro-reflective surface disposed around said perimeter and arranged to reflect radiation received from an originating source back toward said originating source; and (c) first means, disposed on said perimeter adjacent to said first source, for receiving the radiation reflected by said retro-reflective surface and for sensing a first direction at which radiation originating from said first source is interrupted by an object located within said viewing field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for detecting the position of an object within a viewing field, said apparatus comprising, in combination: (a) a first, substantially point source of radiation disposed at a first location on the perimeter of said viewing field and arranged to illuminate said viewing field with radiation; (b) a retro-reflective surface disposed around said perimeter and arranged to reflect radiation received from an originating source back toward said originating source; and (c) first means, disposed on said perimeter adjacent to said first source, for receiving the radiation reflected by said retro-reflective surface and for sensing a first direction at which radiation originating from said first source is interrupted by an object located within said viewing field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising: (d) a second, substantially point source of radiation disposed at a second location on said perimeter and arranged to illuminate said viewing field with radiation; and (e) second means, disposed on said perimeter adjacent to said second source, for receiving the radiation reflected by said retro-reflective surface and for sensing a second direction at which radiation originating from said second source is interrupted by an object located within said viewing field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising: (f) electrical means, responsive to said first and second means, for determining the coordinates of an object located within the viewing field from said first and second directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second directions are each defined by the magnitude of a single coordinate parameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said coordinate parameter is the angular position with respect to the axis of viewing of said first and said second means, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second sources emit light radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second sources emit infrared radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said viewing field is a computer display screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said viewing field is at least a portion of a room.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said viewing field is substantially rectangular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said coordinates are rectangular (X,Y) coordinates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said first and second means are respectively disposed in two adjacent corners of said rectangular viewing field.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus defined in claim 12, further comprising: (g) a third, substantially point source of radiation disposed at a third corner of said rectangular viewing field and arranged to illuminate said viewing field with radiation; (h) third means, disposed on said perimeter adjacent to said third source, for receiving the radiation reflected by said retro-reflective surface and for sensing a third direction at which radiation originating from said second source is interrupted by an object located within said viewing field; wherein said electrical means is further connected and responsive to said third means for calculating said coordinates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus defined in claim 13, further comprising: (i) a fourth, substantially point source of radiation disposed at a fourth corner of said rectangular viewing field and arranged to illuminate said viewing field with radiation; (j) fourth means, disposed on said parimeter adjacent to said fourth source for receiving the radiation reflected by said retro-reflective surface and for sensing a fourth direction at which radiation originating from said fourth source is interrupted by an object located within the viewing field; wherein said electrical means is further responsive to said fourth means for calculating said coordinates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 12, wherein said retro-reflective surface is disposed around three sides of said rectangular viewing field, said retro-reflective surface being omitted on the side bridging said two adjacent corners.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein said retro-reflective surface is disposed around all four sides of said rectangular viewing field.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said electrical means determines the X,Y coordinates of an object located on a two-dimensional plane within the viewing field.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said first and second directions are each defined by two orthogonal coordinates, and wherein said electrical means determines the three dimensional position of an object located within the viewing field.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein said electrical means determines the orthogonal coordinates defining said three dimensional position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said electrical means determines the coordinates of the approximate center of an object located within the viewing field.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said electrical means determines the coordinates of an object located within the viewing field, only when the silhouette of said object, as viewed by said first and said second means, exceeds a prescribed size.
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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) | 1988-03-25 | 1988-09-24 | 1989-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-25 | 1992-09-24 | 1993-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-25 | 1996-09-24 | 1997-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |