Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A multi-layer passive touch tablet comprising: a first insulative layer having a first resistive coated bar extending along a first edge of said layer and a first series of conductive spaced parallel pathways extending orthogonally from said bar across said layer; a conductive strip extending along a second edge of said layer opposed to said first edge and a second series of conductive spaced parallel pathways extending from said strip toward said bar and interdigitated with said first series of pathways; a second insulative layer normally spaced from said first layer, said second layer having a second resistive coated bar extending along a first edge of said second layer orthogonally opposite said first bar and a third series of conductive spaced parallel pathways extending from said second bar toward an opposed second edge of said second layer, wherein said third series of pathways are orthogonal with and facing said first and second series of pathways; means for applying an electrical potential to a location on each of said bars, an end of each of said bars displaced from said location being connected to a reference potential; means for simultaneously bringing a discrete area of said first and second series of pathways into contact with said third series of pathways when one of said layers is pressed by a force against the other layer; and means for simultaneously outputting voltage or resistance readings representative of a linear distribution of potential or resistance along each of said bars indicating x-axis and y-axis coordinates of the area pressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
A multi-layer passive touch tablet comprising: a first insulative layer having a first resistive coated bar extending along a first edge of said layer and a first series of conductive spaced parallel pathways extending orthogonally from said bar across said layer; a conductive strip extending along a second edge of said layer opposed to said first edge and a second series of conductive spaced parallel pathways extending from said strip toward said bar and interdigitated with said first series of pathways; a second insulative layer normally spaced from said first layer, said second layer having a second resistive coated bar extending along a first edge of said second layer orthogonally opposite said first bar and a third series of conductive spaced parallel pathways extending from said second bar toward an opposed second edge of said second layer, wherein said third series of pathways are orthogonal with and facing said first and second series of pathways; means for applying an electrical potential to a location on each of said bars, an end of each of said bars displaced from said location being connected to a reference potential; means for simultaneously bringing a discrete area of said first and second series of pathways into contact with said third series of pathways when one of said layers is pressed by a force against the other layer; and means for simultaneously outputting voltage or resistance readings representative of a linear distribution of potential or resistance along each of said bars indicating x-axis and y-axis coordinates of the area pressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The tablet of claim 1 in which said third series of conductive pathways comprise a second conductive strip extending along an edge of said second layer opposite said second bar and interdigitated spaced parallel conductive strips alternatively extending from said second bar and said second strip toward said second strip and said second bar, respectively, to a position adjacent to and gapped therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The tablet of claim 1 further comprising multiple spaced insulating embossment means extending from one of said layers toward the other layer to normally space said layers from each other, and wherein said embossment means insulates intersections of said first and second series of conductive pathways with said third series of conductive pathways surrounding said discrete area brought into contact by said pressing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tablet of claim 1 further including an embossed peripheral edge portion on one of said layers facing the other of said layers to normally space said layers and to return said layers to a spaced position upon removal of the pressing force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tablet of claim 1 in which said third series of conductive pathways all extend from said second bar, are of high density and have free ends adjacent to and gapped from an edge of said second layer opposite said second bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tablet of claim 1 in which said potential is connected to one end of each of said bars and the other end of said bars being connected to a reference potential, said x-axis and y-axis readings being outputted from said conductive strips on said first and second layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tablet of claim 1 in which said potential is connected to one end of one of said bars on a layer and to a conductive strip on the other end of said layers.