Point location and graphics display apparatus
First Claim
1. A point location system comprising:
- a digitizer includinga normally straight tape being cross-sectionally curved defining a narrow tape width and concave and convex tape surfaces, and the tape including a plurality of holes longitudinally disposed adjacent at least one of its edges;
the tape having the resiliency to be bent in a radius toward its concave surface, and the width of the tape being normally flattened where so bent and the tape having the tendency to return to its straight orientation;
a rotatable roller for receiving a length of said tape concave surface bent in a radius thereagainst, and the roller including sprockets for engaging with said holes, and the sprockets including inclinations and alignment lands, and said holes thereby transversely sliding upon said inclinations to said lands as said roller is rotated and said tape width is flattened and said holes engage said sprockets; and
a shaft coaxially mounted to said rotatable roller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A point location and graphics display system wherein a digitizer, (10) having an inner housing (14) rotatably retained in an outer housing (12), includes a rolled, flexible steel tape (34) extendable from the inner housing (14) about a roller (40) and having a stylus (76) on its outer extremity. Roller sprockets (119) engage sprocket holes (118) in the tape (34) and pass through a straightener (166) and a cleaner (168). Angle encoder (18) and linear encoder (46), respectively driven by rotation of the tape (34) in the inner housing (14) and by linear movement of the tape (34), provide signals to a computer (54) which digitizes and supplies those signals to an upright visual display (58) or a desktop display (308). A desk (356) is sometimes provided, with a menu (376), an alphanumeric keyboard (262), a digital display (366), a function keyboard (328), a recorder (302) and its controls (304), view-rotating dials (396-400) and color selection dials (404-408). The stylus (76) may be provided with a cursor guide (434) having a clamp (440) for a writing instrument (78).
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A point location system comprising:
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a digitizer including a normally straight tape being cross-sectionally curved defining a narrow tape width and concave and convex tape surfaces, and the tape including a plurality of holes longitudinally disposed adjacent at least one of its edges;
the tape having the resiliency to be bent in a radius toward its concave surface, and the width of the tape being normally flattened where so bent and the tape having the tendency to return to its straight orientation;a rotatable roller for receiving a length of said tape concave surface bent in a radius thereagainst, and the roller including sprockets for engaging with said holes, and the sprockets including inclinations and alignment lands, and said holes thereby transversely sliding upon said inclinations to said lands as said roller is rotated and said tape width is flattened and said holes engage said sprockets; and a shaft coaxially mounted to said rotatable roller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification