Input device
First Claim
1. An input device for developing signals corresponding to the position of the application of pressure thereon, including first and second electrically insulating sheets each having respective resistance layers formed thereon to face one another, means for impressing a voltage across each of said resistance layers with the direction of the impressed voltage of one resistance layer being perpendicular to the direction of the voltage impressed across the other resistance layer, a compressible spacer of open-cell, electrically insulating material being held between said resistance layers, and means including a layer of electrically conductive material embedded within said spacer for mutually contacting said resistance layers upon application of pressure to one of said insulating sheets to deflect said one insulating sheet and associated resistance layer inwardly to compress said spacer and expose portions of the embedded conductive material to said resistance layers.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input device for use in a display unit serving as a terminal of a computer has first and second insulating sheets and an insulating spacer sandwiched between the first and second sheets. The first sheet has first terminal leads on its both ends, while the second sheet has second terminal leads which extend in perpendicular relation to the first terminal leads. The upper surface is covered with a flexible, insulating, protective sheet. The spacer includes lattice-like conductors and consists of a material having cells of gas and elasticity and flexibility such as silicone foam. A fixed voltage is alternately applied across both ends of the first sheet and across both ends of the second sheet. When the protective sheet is depressed at a point P as by a depression pen, the position of the point is measured and represented by means of X- and Y-coordinates.
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Citations
12 Claims
- 1. An input device for developing signals corresponding to the position of the application of pressure thereon, including first and second electrically insulating sheets each having respective resistance layers formed thereon to face one another, means for impressing a voltage across each of said resistance layers with the direction of the impressed voltage of one resistance layer being perpendicular to the direction of the voltage impressed across the other resistance layer, a compressible spacer of open-cell, electrically insulating material being held between said resistance layers, and means including a layer of electrically conductive material embedded within said spacer for mutually contacting said resistance layers upon application of pressure to one of said insulating sheets to deflect said one insulating sheet and associated resistance layer inwardly to compress said spacer and expose portions of the embedded conductive material to said resistance layers.
Specification