Laser scanning graphic input system
First Claim
1. A graphic input system for digitizing the location of an object moving on a planar surface, comprising:
- at least two primary scanning lasers each delivering scanning light beams from above said planar surface,a scanning mirror interposed along the path of each of said scanning light beams and each scanning mirror being controllably pivotally mounted so as to deflect the path of each of said scanning light beams,the arrangement being such that the scanning light beams from each of said primary scanning lasers is controllably driven across said planar surface through electromagnetic excitation of each scan mirror,a marking stylus arranged to be moved over said planar surface,a detecting means for detecting the impingement of each of said scanning light beams from said primary scanning lasers on said marking stylus,said detecting means for generating a trigger voltage signal, the trigger voltage signal being transmitted to a logical circuit means for enabling the reading of the instantaneous value of a position voltage signal proportional to and representative of the tangent of the scan angle of each said scanning light beam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphic input system for digitizing the location of an object moving on a planar surface and utilizing two or more primary laser light beams, the output beam of each scanning the planar surface through interposed controllably pivotally mounted beam deflecting scan mirrors. A stylus is moved over the planar surface in response to the position of the deflected position of the scanning beam. A signal generating beam detector positioned adjacent the planar surface delivers signals to a logical circuit to create the instantaneous value of a position voltage signal which is proportional to the tangent of the scan angle of each of the controllably deflected laser beams.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A graphic input system for digitizing the location of an object moving on a planar surface, comprising:
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at least two primary scanning lasers each delivering scanning light beams from above said planar surface, a scanning mirror interposed along the path of each of said scanning light beams and each scanning mirror being controllably pivotally mounted so as to deflect the path of each of said scanning light beams, the arrangement being such that the scanning light beams from each of said primary scanning lasers is controllably driven across said planar surface through electromagnetic excitation of each scan mirror, a marking stylus arranged to be moved over said planar surface, a detecting means for detecting the impingement of each of said scanning light beams from said primary scanning lasers on said marking stylus, said detecting means for generating a trigger voltage signal, the trigger voltage signal being transmitted to a logical circuit means for enabling the reading of the instantaneous value of a position voltage signal proportional to and representative of the tangent of the scan angle of each said scanning light beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 17, 18)
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8. A laser scanning means for determining the location of a marking stylus on a moving object such as a robotic positioning system element wherein:
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(a) at least two scan planes are present and wherein a plurality of laser beams scan the first of said scan planes by a locational scanning means to provide locational signals on said first scan plane and wherein the other of said scan planes is utilized for on/off locational information for surface contact detection, and wherein said locational signals are generated by laser scanning beams controllably moving across said first scan plane for detection by beam locational detecting means; (b) reflection means for each laser beam arranged on said marking stylus, the reflection from said reflection means being delivered to said beam locational detecting means to directly provide a signal proportional to and representative of the tangent of the scan angle at detection time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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15. A graphic input system for digitizing the location of an object moving on a planar surface, comprising:
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at least two primary scanning lasers each delivering scanning light beams from above said planar surface, a scanning mirror interposed along the path of each of said scanning light beams and each scanning mirror being controllably pivotally mounted so as to deflect the path of each of said scanning light beams, the arrangement being such that the scanning light beams from each of said primary scanning lasers is controllably driven across said planar surface through electromagnetic excitation of each scan mirror, a marking stylus arranged to be moved over said planar surface, a detecting means for detecting the impingement of each of said scanning light beams from each primary scanning lasers on said marking stylus, said detecting means for generating a trigger voltage signal, the trigger voltage signal being transmitted to a logical circuit means for enabling the reading of the instantaneous value of a position voltage signal proportional to and representative of the tangent of the scan angle of each said scanning light beam; wherein a secondary laser scanning means is provided and located adjacent the said planar surface along the scan plane of said scanning light beam, the distance being such that interference between the scanning light plane of each primary scanning laser and that of the secondary laser scanning means is prevented and wherein the beam from said secondary laser scanning means impinges on a retro-reflecting bevel positioned around the perimeter of said planar surface for providing a contact signal indicating contact between said planar surface and said marking stylus and wherein said contact signal is detected by a secondary detecting means, the said secondary laser scanning means comprising at least one scanning laser beam.
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16. A graphic input system for digitizing the location of an object moving on a planar surface, comprising:
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at least two primary scanning lasers each delivering scanning light beams from above said planar surface, a scanning mirror interposed along the path of each of said scanning light beams and each scanning mirror being controllably pivotally mounted so as to deflect the path of each of said scanning light beams, the arrangement being such that the scanning light beams from each of said primary scanning lasers is controllably driven across said planar surface through electromagnetic excitation of each scan mirror, a marking stylus arranged to be moved over said planar surface, a detecting means for detecting the impingement of each of said scanning light beams from each primary scanning laser on said marking stylus, said detecting means for generating a trigger voltage signal, the trigger voltage signal being transmitted to a logical circuit means for enabling the reading of the instantaneous value of a position voltage signal proportional to and representative of the tangent of the scan angle of each said scanning light beam; wherein a secondary laser scanning means is provided and located adjacent the said planar surface along the scan plane of said scanning light, the distance being such that interference between the scanning light plane of each primary scanning laser and that of the secondary laser scanning means is prevented and wherein the beam from said secondary laser scanning means impinges on a retro-reflecting bevel positioned around the perimeter of said planar surface for providing a contact signal indicating contact between said planar surface and said marking stylus and wherein said contact signal is detected by a secondary detecting means, the said secondary laser scanning means comprising at least one scanning laser beam; and wherein said secondary laser scanning means includes a light reflecting bevel comprising a secondary detecting means for the detection of a signal created by said secondary detecting means and which indicates contact between said planar surface and said marking stylus.
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Specification