US5326940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamically-adjustable scanning rate in digitizers
Assignee: Cal Comp Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-23
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Granted: 1994-07-05
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Expires: 2012-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire in a digitizing tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor so as to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor. The method comprises setting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire to a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ if the cursor is not moving and setting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire to a value inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor the shorter the signal-sampling period of each grid wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ. The present position of the cursor is then saved as the prior position of the cursor for the next time the steps of the method are performed. The method can also be applied to other positional determination devices in which a cursor is moved over a scanned sensing surface. The apparatus performs the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Dana Doubrava
- 👤 Waldo L. Landmeier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
In a digitizer tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, a method of setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising periodically performing the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a digitizer tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, a method of setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising periodically performing the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of setting the signal-sampling period of each wire in a digitizer tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal of claim 1 wherein: the steps of the method are performed before each time the wires of the digitizer tablet are sequentially scanned.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of setting the signal-sampling period of each wire in a digitizer tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor so as to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of setting the signal-sampling period of each wire in a digitizer tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor so as to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each wire to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein: the method is performed each time the wires of the digitizer tablet are sequentially scanned prior to the scanning thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, a method of setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising periodically performing the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, a method of setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising periodically performing the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element in a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal of claim 5 wherein: the steps of the method are performed before each time the sensing elements of the positional sensing device are sequentially scanned.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element in a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor so as to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element in a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned to develop a positional signal related to a cursor so as to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising the steps of: a) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor when the steps of the method were performed previously; b) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to step (f); c) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, determining the present speed of movement of the cursor; d) determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; e) setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to that determined in step (d); and, f) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 wherein: the method is performed each time the sensing elements of the positional sensing device are sequentially scanned prior to the scanning thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus by, b1) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; b5) setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is that determined in (b4), and, b6) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus by, b1) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; b5) setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is that determined in (b4), and, b6) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a digitizing tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus by, b1) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) determining a signal-sampling period of each grid wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each grid wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; b5) setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is that determined in (b4), and, b6) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a digitizing tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus by, b1) comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) determining a signal-sampling period of each grid wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each grid wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; b5) setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is that determined in (b4), and, b6) saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
285 words
In a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus, said control apparatus comprising, b1) means for comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) means for if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) means for if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) means for determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; b5) means for setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is that determined in (b4), and, b6) means for saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
285 words
In a positional sensing device having sensing elements that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cursor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each sensing element of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus, said control apparatus comprising, b1) means for comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) means for if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is a longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) means for if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) means for determining a signal-sampling period of each sensing element inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each sensing element as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the positional sensing device is designed to employ; b5) means for setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each sensing element is that determined in (b4), and, b6) means for saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
282 words
In a digitizing tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cusor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus, said control apparatus comprising, b1) means for comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) means for if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) means for if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) means for determining a signal-sampling period of each grid wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each grid wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; b5) means for setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is that determined in (b4), and, b6) means for saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
282 words
In a digitizing tablet having grid wires that are sequentially and repetitively scanned by scanning apparatus to develop a positional signal related to a cusor, apparatus for setting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire to reduce jitter associated with non-movement of the cursor and signal error associated with rapid movement of the cursor comprising: a) scanning rate adjustment apparatus connected to the scanning apparatus for adjusting the signal-sampling period of each grid wire of the scanning apparatus; and, b) control apparatus connected to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus for inputting signal-sample period values to said scanning rate adjustment apparatus, said control apparatus comprising, b1) means for comparing the present position of the cursor to the prior position of the cursor, b2) means for if the cursor has not moved from the prior position, setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is a longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ and proceeding to (b6), b3) means for if the cursor has moved from the prior position, calculating the present speed of movement of the cursor; b4) means for determining a signal-sampling period of each grid wire inversely related to the present speed of movement of the cursor such that the faster the present speed of movement of the cursor, the shorter the signal-sampling period of each grid wire as compared to the longest signal-sampling period the digitizer tablet is designed to employ; b5) means for setting the signal-sampling period value so that the signal-sampling period of each grid wire is that determined in (b4), and, b6) means for saving the present position of the cursor as the prior position of the cursor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |