Pyroelectric coordinate input process and apparatus

Claim 2

A process for coordinate input which comprises providing a plurality of parallel electrodes on one surface of a polymeric film itself having pyroelectric properties, providing on the opposite surface of said film a plurality of light-transparent spot electrodes on lines corresponding to said parallel electrodes, conducting an electric current separately from each spot electrode, and recognizing the position of a film-irradiating light by a pyroelectric current flowing from each spot electrode.

Claim 3

A process for coordinate input which comprises providing linear electrodes on both surfaces of a polymeric film itself having pyroelectric properties, the lines on the same surface beIng parallel to each other, and the lines on one surface crossing those on the other surface, conducting an electric current separately from each of the electrodes on both surfaces, and recognizing the position of a film-irradiating light as a point of intersection of linear electric currents on both surfaces by means of a pyroelectric current flowing in one linear electrode on each of said surfaces.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 wherein said polymeric film is polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 5

A coordinate input apparatus responsive to light irradiation and comprising: a. a polymeric film itself having pyroelectric properties, b. a plurality of spaced pyroelectric current conducting light-transparent first electrodes on one surface of said film, c. recognition circuit means, and d. first conductor means individually connecting each of said first electrodes to said recognition circuit means, whereby pyroelectric current generated by light irradiation at a locality in said film causes a pyroelectric current signal to flow through a corresponding one of said first electrodes to said recognition circuit means, said corresponding first electrode identifying the coordinates of said locality and said current signal being indicative of the intensity of the light irradiation at said locality.

Claim 6

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said first electrodes are spot electrodes, and further comprising a surface electrode on the opposite surface of said film.

Claim 7

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said first electrodes are spot electrodes arranged in lines, and further comprising a plurality of elongated parallel second electrodes on the opposite surface of said film and arranged in alignment with said lines, and second conductor means individually connecting each of said second electrodes to said recognition circuit means.

Claim 8

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said first electrodes are parallel elongated electrodes, and further comprising a plurality of parallel spaced second electrodes on the opposite surface of said film and extending transversely to said first electrodes, and second conductor means individually connecting each of said second electrodes to said recognition circuit means.

Claim 9

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said polymeric film is polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 10

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said film is about one micron thick.

Claim 11

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said film is from one to fifty microns thick.

Claim 12

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said film is polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 13

A coordinate input apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene and chloride.