Patent CH155866A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3761877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical graphic data tablet
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-21
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An optical graphic data tablet operated with a light pen is provided for use as a computer input terminal. A light position sensing device detects the position of a light pen moved by the operator over a transparent plate and generates analog electrical output signals corresponding to the position of the light spot on the plate. The analog signals are converted to corresponding digital signals for use with a computer display terminal or the like. A digital position indicator is provided on the tablet cabinet for direct digital display of the stylus position so that the operator can verify the exact position before transmitting data to the computer.
Inventors
- 👤 O Fernald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An optical graphic data tablet, comprising in combination a. an independently manually movable light source adapted to produce a light spot, b. a fixed and uniformly transparent stratum providing a working surface for said source, c. a fixed and continuously responsive solid state dual axis photo detector positioned in optical relation to said stratum and having a continuously variable analog output related to the absolute position of said light spot thereon said detector being a Schottky barrier photo diode, and, d. fixed continuously tRansparent optical means mounted in the optical path between said source and said detector for focusing said independently movable light spot at said surface onto said detector, e. said stratum, said optical means and said detector defining a continuously clear field of view over substantially the entire working surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An optical graphic data tablet, comprising in combination a. an independently manually movable light source adapted to produce a light spot, b. a fixed and uniformly transparent stratum providing a working surface for said source, c. a fixed and continuously responsive solid state dual axis photo detector positioned in optical relation to said stratum and having a continuously variable analog output related to the absolute position of said light spot thereon said detector being a Schottky barrier photo diode, and, d. fixed continuously tRansparent optical means mounted in the optical path between said source and said detector for focusing said independently movable light spot at said surface onto said detector, e. said stratum, said optical means and said detector defining a continuously clear field of view over substantially the entire working surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 including digital display means in proximity to said stratum for displaying digital data with respect to the position of said spot on said stratum, and electronic converting means connected between said sensing means and said display means for converting the output of said sensing means into an input for said display means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 including reflecting means disposed along the optical axis of said stratum and said sensing means for folding said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 including a fresnel lens disposed in close parallel relation to said stratum between said stratum and said sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 wherein said stratum is a semi-reflective plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 in combination with an analog to digital converter connected to said photo-detector to provide digital signals corresponding to the position of said spot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 in combination with a mask adapted to overlay said stratum, said mask bearing intelligent information and formed with a plurality of apertures related thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 in combination with a computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 1 in combination with a computer output terminal and means for converting the output of said sensing means into signals adapted to operate said terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 9 wherein said terminal is a typewriter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical graphic data tablet according to claim 9 wherein said terminal is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
An optical tablet according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes a pair of gradient density filters in the image plane of said optical means and oriented perpendicularly to one another and light measuring means operatively associated with each filter for measuring the intensity of light passing therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical tablet according to claim 12 including third light measuring means for directly measuring light from said source passing through said stratum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical tablet according to claim 1 including pulsing means for pulsing said light source and pulse measuring means connected to said sensing means for measuring pulsed light only.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical tablet according to claim 1 including a filter in the optical path of said sensing means for passing a relatively narrow band of light emitted by said source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical tablet according to claim 1 including feedback means between said sensing means and said source for maintaining constant light intensity.
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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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |