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Optical coordinates inputting apparatus having switching means to operate y-axis light emitters when operation of the x-axis emitters outputs a coordinates signal

Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-06-13
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Granted: 1989-06-20
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Expires: 2008-06-13
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Abstract

Abstract An optical coordinates inputting apparatus which has a light emitting element array and a photodetector array opposed to the light emitting element array, arranged in X- an Y-axis directions, X-axis and Y-axis multiplexer means sequentially driven as a pair of light emitting element and photodetector of the X- and Y-axis directions, X- and Y-axis signal detecting means for outputting a coordinates signal when a light signal outputted from the driven light emitting element is not photodetected by the opposed photodetector, and switching means for operating either the X-axis or Y-axis multiplexer means, whereby, when the coordinates signal is outputted, the switching means operates the other X- or Y-axis multiplexer means. Thus, the inputting apparatus drives to scan either one of a light emitting element array and a photodetector array in X- or Y-axis direction during a period that coordinates are not inputted to reduce its power consumption.

Inventors

  • 👤 Junichi Ouchi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 19:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0421

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
An optical coordinates inputting apparatus comprising a light emitting element array and a photodetector array opposed to the light emitting element array, arranged in X- and Y-axis directions, X-axis and Y-axis multiplexer means sequentially driven as a pair of light emitting element and photodetector of the X- and Y-axis directions, X- and Y-axis signal detecting means for outputting a coordinates signal when a light signal outputted from the driven light emitting element is not photodetected by the opposed photodetector, and switching means for operating either the X-axis or Y-axis multiplexer means, whereby, when the coordinates signal is outputted, the switching means operates the other X- or Y-axis multiplexer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 109 words
An optical coordinates inputting apparatus comprising a light emitting element array and a photodetector array opposed to the light emitting element array, arranged in X- and Y-axis directions, X-axis and Y-axis multiplexer means sequentially driven as a pair of light emitting element and photodetector of the X- and Y-axis directions, X- and Y-axis signal detecting means for outputting a coordinates signal when a light signal outputted from the driven light emitting element is not photodetected by the opposed photodetector, and switching means for operating either the X-axis or Y-axis multiplexer means, whereby, when the coordinates signal is outputted, the switching means operates the other X- or Y-axis multiplexer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 69 words
An optical coordinates inputting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface on which said light emitting element array and photodetector array are arranged is displaced in a Z-axis direction to be arranged in X- and Y-axis directions, and one X- or Y-axis multiplexer means for sequentially driving the light emitting element array and photodetector array arranged beforehand in the Z-axis direction is operated initially by said switching means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4645920A Cited
US4672195A Cited
US4749853A Cited
US4801797A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-06-19 1992-12-19 1993-06-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-06-19 1996-12-19 1997-06-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-06-19 2000-12-19 2001-06-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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