Liquid crystal position determining system and wand device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A position determining system comprising:
- a tablet having a plurality of coplanar spaced substantially transparent first conductor strips, a plurality of coplanar spaced substantially transparent second conductor strips, the plane of said first strips being parallel to and spaced from the plane of said second strips, and a liquid crystal material between said first and second strips;
means for scanning said conductor strips to cause a dark line to propagate across the tablet surface;
said tablet being at least partially light transmissive substantially throughout its extent such that objects on one side of said tablet are visible from its opposite side;
a wand-type device connected to the system and positionable by a user over its opposite side;
p1 means connected to the wand-type device for detecting when a dark line crosses under the wand-type device.
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Abstract
A coordinate position determining system and method includes a liquid crystal material separating first and second groups of conductors. The tablet is at least partially light transmissive, but may include a partially reflective layer. The first and second groups or conductors are sequentially scanned at different times. A wand adapted to be positioned against the tablet includes a light detector, and may also include a light source.
26 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A position determining system comprising:
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a tablet having a plurality of coplanar spaced substantially transparent first conductor strips, a plurality of coplanar spaced substantially transparent second conductor strips, the plane of said first strips being parallel to and spaced from the plane of said second strips, and a liquid crystal material between said first and second strips; means for scanning said conductor strips to cause a dark line to propagate across the tablet surface; said tablet being at least partially light transmissive substantially throughout its extent such that objects on one side of said tablet are visible from its opposite side; a wand-type device connected to the system and positionable by a user over its opposite side;
p1 means connected to the wand-type device for detecting when a dark line crosses under the wand-type device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A position determining system comprising:
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a tablet having a plurality of coplanar spaced substantially transparent first conductor strips, a plurality of coplanar spaced substantially transparent second conductor strips, the plane of said first strips being parallel to and spaced from the plane of said second strips, and a liquid crystal material between said first and second strips; said system further comprising means for scanning only said first conductor strips during a first interval to cause a dark line to propagate across the tablet surface in one direction, means for scanning said second strips only during a second interval that is not within said first interval to cause a dark line to propagate across the tablet surface in a different direction; said tablet being at least partially light transmissive substantially throughout its extent such that objects on one side of said tablet are visible from its opposite side, a wand-type device connected to the system and positionable by a user over its opposite side, means connected to the wand-type device for detecting when a dark line crosses under the wand-type device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification