Electrical data entry devices

• US 4,178,481 A
• Filed: 01/06/1978
• Issued: 12/11/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nicolet Instrument Corporation
• Original Assignee: Victor B. Kley
• Inventors: Kley, Victor B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US05/867,516
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18, 178/19, 178/20, 340/146.3 SY, 340/365 S, 340/365 C, 340/365 A
• US Class Current: 178/18.05
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04113 Peripheral electrode pattern in resistive digitisers, i.e. electrodes at the periphery of the resistive sheet are shaped in patterns enhancing linearity of induced field
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1306 non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/026 non precious
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/00 Form of contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/01 Woven wire screen
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/018 binary coded
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/01 from bottom to top layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/012 via underside of substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/038 Folding of flexible printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/004 High frequency adaptation or shielding

Abstract

Planar resistive connecting means for the edges of a rectangular resistive graphic area has a higher effective resistance parallel to the edges of the resistive graphic area than that of the resistive graphic area. This higher effective resistance is formed by means of configuring the connecting areas such as by forming outer edges at acute angles with the edges of the resistive graphic area or by forming slits transverse to the edges of the resistive graphic area. There is also disclosed a combination of a resistive graphic area surrounded by a plurality of planar conductors forming multi-bit digital switching facilities operated by a common conductive plane.

Claims

1. A graphical entry device comprising

a planar resistive sheet having a rectangular resistive graphic area with four edges and four resistive connecting means formed along and connected with the respective edges of the rectangular resistive graphic area,

four electrically conducting means joined to the respective four resistive connecting means and spaced from the resistive graphic area for connecting to external circuitry, and

said four resistive connecting means each being configured to have an effective resistance parallel to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area substantially higher than that of the graphic area.

2. A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the four resistive connecting means have two outer edges forming acute angles with the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area.

3. A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the two outer edges of each resistive connecting portion terminate at points spaced from each other.

4. A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 3 wherein each resistive connecting means has a cutout between the two termination points, and said two termination points are electrically connected by conductive means.

5. A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the four planar resistive means is triangular in configuration and each conductive means is joined to the outer point of the respective triangular configuration.

6. A graphical entry device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the four resistive connecting means have slits formed therein extending transverse to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area to thus form increased resistivity in the resistive connecting means parallel to the edges of the rectangular graphic area.

7. A graphic entry device as claimed in claim 6 wherein there are formed a plurality of slits within each of the four resistive connecting means transverse to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area.

8. A graphic entry device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the slits are substantially perpendicular to the respective edges of the rectangular graphic area.

9. A graphical and digital data entry device comprising

a flexible planar member,

a rigid planar member disposed parallel to but spaced from the flexible member such that depression can cause the flexible member to touch the rigid member,

one of the flexible member and rigid member being conductive,

a resistive layer disposed on the other of the flexible member and rigid member, said layer of resistive material being disposed in a rectangular pattern so as to form a graphic area for graphical data,

a plurality of conductor patterns adjacent the graphic area,

said conductor patterns defining first areas wherein only single conductors of said conductor patterns are exposed for engagement with the one member, and

said conductor patterns also defining second areas between respective pairs of first areas wherein closely spaced fingers of the respective adjacent single conductors are interlaced so that depression of the flexible member at the second areas brings about engagement between the one member and both respective adjacent single conductors.