Data entry system
First Claim
1. In a data entry system wherein data is entered by depressing locations on a touch sensitive device, apparatus for identifying a depressed location comprising:
- a matrix of conductors comprising a plurality of first conductors oriented in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors oriented in a second direction transverse to said first directions;
a plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means for conducting electrical current between respective first and second conductors, each said pressure sensitive electroconductive means being operative to conduct an electrical current when the location immediate thereto has been depressed;
means for sequentially testing each pressure sensitive electroconductive means for the existence of the current that is established between a respective first conductor and a respective second conductor when the location immediate thereto has been depressed; and
means, responsive to said testing means, for terminating the testing of each pressure sensitve electroconductive means when a deprressed location has been identified, said terminating means comprising;
means, responsive to said testing means, for generating a status signal indicative of a depressed location having been identified,means for applying the status signal to said means for sequentially testing each electroconductive means so as to terminate the sequential testing, andmeans for temporarily maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the location is no longer depressed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel data entry system is disclosed which comprises both a touch sensitive device and a location identification device. The touch sensitive device includes a printed circuit board arrangement of conductors which define data input locations that are touch sensitive. The locations are touch sensitive by virtue of a layer of variable resistance material disposed over the printed circuit board which is highly conductive when subjected to touch pressure. The electrical conductivity of a touched location is sensed by the location identification device which thereafter provides a digital coding of the location and maintains the same until the touch pressure has been removed. The location identification device moreover prevents the double entry of data due to any variation in the touch pressure.
26 Citations
23 Claims
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1. In a data entry system wherein data is entered by depressing locations on a touch sensitive device, apparatus for identifying a depressed location comprising:
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a matrix of conductors comprising a plurality of first conductors oriented in a first direction, a plurality of second conductors oriented in a second direction transverse to said first directions; a plurality of pressure sensitive electroconductive means for conducting electrical current between respective first and second conductors, each said pressure sensitive electroconductive means being operative to conduct an electrical current when the location immediate thereto has been depressed; means for sequentially testing each pressure sensitive electroconductive means for the existence of the current that is established between a respective first conductor and a respective second conductor when the location immediate thereto has been depressed; and means, responsive to said testing means, for terminating the testing of each pressure sensitve electroconductive means when a deprressed location has been identified, said terminating means comprising; means, responsive to said testing means, for generating a status signal indicative of a depressed location having been identified, means for applying the status signal to said means for sequentially testing each electroconductive means so as to terminate the sequential testing, and means for temporarily maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the location is no longer depressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for entering information, said system comprising:
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a plurality of individually sensitive locations for entering information, each of said locations having a variable electrical conductivity so as to normally have a low conductivity which subsequently changes to a high conductivity when sensitized by entry of information for that location; a plurality of means for sensing the electrical conductivity of each of said plurality of locations; means for sequentially activating each of said plurality of sensing means; and means, responsive to said plurality of sensing means, for terminating the sequential activation of said sequential activating means when a high electrical conductivity has been sensed, said terminating means comprising; means for maintaining the signal level of the generated status signal after the sensed high conductivity disappears. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification