Graphical data entry pad
First Claim
1. A graphical data entry device comprisinga planar rectangular resistive grid area with four edges,a conductive layer supported spaced from but parallel to the resistive grid area,one of the resistive grid area and the conductive layer being selectively displaceable so as to contact the other of the resistive grid area and the conductive layer at any selected point in the resistive grid area,four connecting means spaced from the respective edges of the grid area for electrically connecting to external electronic circuitry, andplanar resistive means connecting the respective connecting means to the respective edges of the resistive grid area, the planar resistive means having an effective resistance parallel to the edges of the resistive grid area substantially higher than that of the resistive grid area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data entry pad for the entry of two-dimensional graphical data to a communication system includes a resistive grid area to which a conductive layer may be selectively contacted so that graphical data can be generated by external resistance measuring electronic circuitry. The resistive grid area is formed by a pattern of resistive inking on a base and is separated from the conductive layer by a foamed thermoplastic insulating separator. High resistance bands surround the grid area so as to linearize its output values.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A graphical data entry device comprising
a planar rectangular resistive grid area with four edges, a conductive layer supported spaced from but parallel to the resistive grid area, one of the resistive grid area and the conductive layer being selectively displaceable so as to contact the other of the resistive grid area and the conductive layer at any selected point in the resistive grid area, four connecting means spaced from the respective edges of the grid area for electrically connecting to external electronic circuitry, and planar resistive means connecting the respective connecting means to the respective edges of the resistive grid area, the planar resistive means having an effective resistance parallel to the edges of the resistive grid area substantially higher than that of the resistive grid area.
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12. A graphical data entry pad comprising
a flexible top cover having a resistive layer on its lower surface, a rigid base pad having a resistive layer on its upper surface, and a flexible central sheet having a conductive layer on both its upper and lower surfaces, the top cover and the base pad being disposed spaced from but parallel to the central sheet on opposite sides thereof so that depression of the top cover causes the lower surface of the top cover to touch the upper surface of the cnetral sheet and causes the lower surface of the central sheet to touch the upper surface of the base pad.
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13. A graphical data entry device comprising
a planar rectangular resistive grid area with four edges; -
means for selectively electrically connecting to any point in the resistive grid area; four side connecting means spaced from the respective edges of the grid area for electrically connecting to external electronic circuitry; and planar resistive means connected between the respective side connecting means and the respective edges of the resistive grid area, the planar resistive means having an effective resistance parallel to the edges of the resistive grid area substantially higher than that of the resistive grid area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A base pad for use in a graphical data entry device comprising
a planar base pad member of insulating material; -
a planar rectangular resistive grid area formed on the planar base pad member, the resistive grid area having four edges, planar resistive means formed along and connected with the respective edges of the resistive grid area, the planar resistive means having an effective resistance parallel to the edges of the resistive grid area substantially higher than that of the resistive grid area; and four electrically connecting means joined to the planar resistive means and spaced from the resistive grid area for connecting the respective four edges of the resistive grid area to external circuitry; the planar resistive grid area and the planar resistive means formed by a resistive material disposed on one surface of the planar base pad member. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A graphical data entry device comprising
a flexible planar member, a rigid planar member disposed parallel to but spaced from the flexible member such that manual pressure can cause the flexible member to touch the rigid member, a layer of conductive material on one of the flexible member and the rigid member, and a layer of resistive material on the other of the flexible member and the rigid member, and said layer of resistive material being disposed in a pattern so as to form both a grid area for the entry of graphical data and a potentiometer spaced from the grid area for the entry of analog data.
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20. A graphical data entry device comprising
a flexible planar member, a rigid planar member disposed parallel to but spaced from the flexible member such that manual pressure can cause the flexible member to touch the rigid member, a layer of conductive material on one of the flexible member and the rigid member, a layer of resistive material on the other of the flexible member and the rigid member, said layer of resistive material being disposed in a pattern so as to form a grid area for the entry of graphical data, and a pair of closely spaced planar connector runs formed on the other member spaced from the grid area so as to form a switch device for the entry of digital data.
Specification