US4078151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic graphics pad
Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
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Filing: 1976-10-18
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Granted: 1978-03-07
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Expires: 1996-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A graphics panel is disclosed which translates any random trace of a point light source across the panel into voltage indicative of orthogonal components of the displacement of the light source. By means of such electrical signals a replica of the trace of the light source may be generated by a cathode ray tube, X-Y Plotter, or similar analog devices. The display panel is a flat planar structure composed of transparent plastic material having one side rendered opaque. A plurality of photoconductors are arrayed along the peripheral side of the panel and appropriate electrical circuits incorporating the photoconductors convert the current generated thereby into the voltages proportional to the displacement of the light source along orthogonal axes in the plane of the panel.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. McNeary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0428; G06F3/0421; G06K; G06K11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for the conversion of the position of a source of light on a planar surface into electrical signals representative of the position of said source on said surface comprising: (a) a flat substantially transparent panel having opposite flat surfaces and at least one side connecting said flat surfaces and defining the periphery of said panel, one of said flat surfaces being rendered opaque, (b) a plurality of photoconductors arrayed about the periphery of said panel and mounted in position to receive light transmitted through said peripheral side of said panel, and (c) means for creating a pair of voltages responsive to the changes of resistance of said photoconductors, said voltages cooperating to indicate the position of a source of light on the panel in two orthogonal directions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for the conversion of the position of a source of light on a planar surface into electrical signals representative of the position of said source on said surface comprising: (a) a flat substantially transparent panel having opposite flat surfaces and at least one side connecting said flat surfaces and defining the periphery of said panel, one of said flat surfaces being rendered opaque, (b) a plurality of photoconductors arrayed about the periphery of said panel and mounted in position to receive light transmitted through said peripheral side of said panel, and (c) means for creating a pair of voltages responsive to the changes of resistance of said photoconductors, said voltages cooperating to indicate the position of a source of light on the panel in two orthogonal directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the panel is substantially rectangular in shape, one of said photoconductors being located on each side of said rectangular panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said photoconductors are disposed at corners at angles with respect to the sides of said rectangular panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 3 wherein two of said photoconductors are arranged at angles of 30° to each of two parallel sides of said rectangular panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 3 wherein two of said photoconductors are arranged at angles of 45° to each of two parallel sides of said rectangular panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 2 wherein pairs of said photoconductors are disposed at corners, each photoconductors of each pair being disposed at an angle with respect to one of the mutually perpendicular sides of said rectangular panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said angles is 30°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said photoconductors forms a leg of one of two bridge circuits, each of said bridge circuits having resistance elements forming two legs thereof, and wherein each of said bridge circuits generates a voltage across two legs thereof corresponding to the position of a source of light along one of said orthogonal directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 8 wherein electrical amplification is provided for each of said voltages corresponding to the orthogonal directions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3613066A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-06 | 1981-09-05 | 1982-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-06 | 1985-09-05 | 1986-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-06 | 1989-09-05 | 1990-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |