Three-dimensional data acquisition on a two-dimensional input device
First Claim
1. A method for providing signals indicative of X, Y, and Z parameter values onto a computer controlled display system having a computer and a display comprising the steps of:
- (A) providing a user activated input means for sensing an input signal with an X parameter, a Y parameter, and a Z parameter, wherein the input means comprises (i) a first electrically conductive sheet having a first terminal and a second terminal, (ii) a second electrically conductive sheet having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and (iii) a means for separating the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet;
(B) providing the input signal by applying a pressure at a location on the first conductive sheet of the input means, wherein the first sheet contacts the second sheet at the location, wherein the location on the first conductive sheet corresponds to the X parameter value and the location on the second conductive sheet corresponds to the Y parameter value of the input signal to the display system, wherein the pressure at the location corresponds to the Z parameter value of the input signal to the display system;
(C) applying a predetermined current (I) at the first terminal of the first sheet and a ground at the third terminal of the second sheet;
(D) measuring a first voltage (V1) at the first terminal of the first sheet, a second voltage (V2) at the second terminal of the first sheet, and a third voltage (V3) at the fourth terminal of the second sheet; and
(E) deriving the values of the X parameter, the Y parameter, and the Z parameter as respective functions of the first voltage (V1), the second voltage (V2), the third voltage (V3), and the current (I).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing signals indicative of X, Y, and Z parameter values onto a computer controlled display system having a computer and a display. A user activated input device is provided for sensing an input signal with an X value, a Y value and a Z value in the display system. The input device includes (i) a first electrically conductive sheet having a first terminal and a second terminal, (ii) a second electrically conductive sheet having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and (iii) a separator separating the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet. The input signal is provided by applying a pressure at a location on the first conductive sheet of the input device. The first sheet contacts the second sheet at the location. The location on the first conductive sheet corresponds to the X position and the Y position of the input signal to the display system. The pressure at the location corresponds to the Z value of the input signal to the display system. A predetermined current (I) is applied at the first terminal of the first sheet and a ground at the third terminal of the second sheet. The X position, the Y position, and the Z values are measured by measuring a first voltage (V1) at the first terminal of the first sheet, a second voltage (V2) at the second terminal of the first sheet, and a third voltage (V3) at the fourth terminal of the second sheet, wherein the X, Y, and Z values can be obtained from the following equations: ##EQU1##
43 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for providing signals indicative of X, Y, and Z parameter values onto a computer controlled display system having a computer and a display comprising the steps of:
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(A) providing a user activated input means for sensing an input signal with an X parameter, a Y parameter, and a Z parameter, wherein the input means comprises (i) a first electrically conductive sheet having a first terminal and a second terminal, (ii) a second electrically conductive sheet having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and (iii) a means for separating the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet; (B) providing the input signal by applying a pressure at a location on the first conductive sheet of the input means, wherein the first sheet contacts the second sheet at the location, wherein the location on the first conductive sheet corresponds to the X parameter value and the location on the second conductive sheet corresponds to the Y parameter value of the input signal to the display system, wherein the pressure at the location corresponds to the Z parameter value of the input signal to the display system; (C) applying a predetermined current (I) at the first terminal of the first sheet and a ground at the third terminal of the second sheet; (D) measuring a first voltage (V1) at the first terminal of the first sheet, a second voltage (V2) at the second terminal of the first sheet, and a third voltage (V3) at the fourth terminal of the second sheet; and (E) deriving the values of the X parameter, the Y parameter, and the Z parameter as respective functions of the first voltage (V1), the second voltage (V2), the third voltage (V3), and the current (I). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a computer system having a computer controlled display and a user activated input means, wherein the user activated input means includes a first conductive sheet having a first terminal and a second terminal, a second conductive sheet having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and a separating means to separate the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet, wherein the input means senses an input with an X parameter information, a Y parameter information, and a Z parameter information when a pressure is applied on a location of the first conductive sheet of the input means, wherein the first sheet contacts the second sheet at the location, wherein the location on the first conductive sheet corresponds to the X parameter information and the location on the second conductive sheet corresponds to the Y parameter information of the input to the display system, and wherein the pressure at the location corresponds to the Z parameter information of the input to the display system, a method of measuring the X parameter information, the Y parameter information, and the Z parameter information of the location on the input means, compromising the steps of:
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(a) applying a predetermined current (I) at the first terminal of the first sheet and a ground at the third terminal of the second sheet of the input means; (b) measuring a first voltage (V1) at the first terminal of the first sheet, a second voltage (V2) at the second terminal of the first sheet, and a third voltage (V3) at the fourth terminal of the second sheet; and (c) deriving the values of the X parameter, Y parameter, and Z parameter, as respective functions of the first voltage (V1), the second voltage (V2), the third voltage (V3), and the current (I). - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer system having a computer controlled display, said computer system comprising:
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a user activated input means, the user activated input means having a first conductive sheet having a first terminal and a second terminal, and having a second conductive sheet having a third terminal and a fourth terminal; a means for separating the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet, wherein the input means senses an input with an X parameter information, a Y parameter information, and a Z parameter information when a pressure is applied on a location of the first conductive sheet of the input means, wherein the first sheet contacts the second sheet at the location, wherein the location on the first conductive sheet corresponds to the X parameter information and the Y parameter information of the input to the display system, and wherein the pressure at the location corresponds to the Z parameter information of the input to the display system; (a) means for applying a predetermined current (I) at the first terminal of the first sheet and means for applying a ground at the third terminal of the second sheet of the input means; and (b) means for measuring first voltage (v1) at the first terminal of the first sheet, a second voltage (V2) at the second terminal of the first sheet, and a third voltage (V3) at the fourth terminal of the second sheet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification