Patent US4564079A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4564079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digitizer pad
Assignee: KOALA ACQUISITIONS Inc A CA CORP
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Filing: 1984-07-30
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2004-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A digitizer pad has multiple contact points between facing conductive or resistive coated surfaces of spaced planar sheets (11,16). The sheets are joined by an energy-storing hinge means (13) at the periphery of the respective sheets. Pressing of a top sheet against the bottom sheet by a stylus or operator finger force makes a finite electrical point contact, or series of discrete electrical contacts as the stylus or finger is moved across the top sheet while continuing to depress the sheet, and the X-Y coordinates of the contact(s) determined and indicated on a video screen or the like. Release of the energy stored in the hinge by depression of the top sheet returns sheet (11) into separated position from sheet 13 at that point of contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Cecil A. Moore
- 👤 Gordon B. Langford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a digitizer pad having two or more spaced parallel sheets having at least two electrically-isolated facing surfaces, said pad having at least ten electrical input points per square inch on said facing surfaces, adapted to be brought into point contact when pressed by a stylus or human operator finger, the improvement comprising: a top flexible sheet depressible by stylus or finger force; a substantially inflexible bottom sheet; a energy-storing flexible hinge means attached to and extending between peripheral edge portions of said top sheet and said bottom sheet for normally electrically separating said sheets, depression of said top sheet causing energy to be stored in said hinge means; and wherein stored energy in said hinge means is released by cessation of said stylus or finger force for returning said sheets into electrical separation at said point contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a digitizer pad having two or more spaced parallel sheets having at least two electrically-isolated facing surfaces, said pad having at least ten electrical input points per square inch on said facing surfaces, adapted to be brought into point contact when pressed by a stylus or human operator finger, the improvement comprising: a top flexible sheet depressible by stylus or finger force; a substantially inflexible bottom sheet; a energy-storing flexible hinge means attached to and extending between peripheral edge portions of said top sheet and said bottom sheet for normally electrically separating said sheets, depression of said top sheet causing energy to be stored in said hinge means; and wherein stored energy in said hinge means is released by cessation of said stylus or finger force for returning said sheets into electrical separation at said point contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The digitizer pad of claim 1 in which said top and bottom sheets are planar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The digitizer pad of claim 1 in which said top and bottom sheets are normally spaced apart from 40 to 60 millimeters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The digitizer pad of claim 1 in which said energy-storing flexible hinge integrally depends from the peripheral edges of the top sheet to attachment with the peripheral edge portions of the bottom sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The digitizer pad of claim 4 in which said energy-storing flexible hinge comprises an embossed downwardly-extending peripheral edge of said top sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The digitizer pad of claim 4 in which said energy-storing flexible hinge comprises a downwardly and 180° folded spaced edge extending inwardly of said top sheet peripheral edges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The digitizer pad of claim 4 in which said energy-storing flexible hinge comprises an depending accordion-folded edge portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The digitizer pad of claim 4 in which said energy-storing flexible hinge comprises an embossed ridge having a medial reentrant curve portion increasing the flexibility of the ridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The digitizer pad of claim 1 in which said energy-storing hinge comprises a foam spacer attached to and extending peripherally around facing peripheral surfaces of said top and bottom sheets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The digitizer pad of claim 1 in which said top and bottom sheets are physically separated by said hinge means except when said top sheet is pressed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4455450A
Cited
US4501938A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |