Pointer position detection system using a signal processor in the pointer

• US 5,856,639 A
• Filed: 08/28/1995
• Issued: 01/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Turning Technologies LLC (Echo 360, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CalComp, Inc. (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Landmeier, Waldo L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Application Number:
  US08/520,116
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18, 178/19, 345/173, 345/174, 345/179
• US Class Current: 178/18.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/046 by electromagnetic means

Abstract

A pointer position detection system for use in determining the position of a pointer relative to a tablet comprising a signal generating system coupled to the tablet for transmitting a driving signal, the signal generating system including a set of conductors for radiating the driving signal and the driving signal including information as to the particular conductor being activated by the signal generating system, a movable pointer responsive to the transmitted driving signal, the pointer including a signal processor responsive to the information and the amplitude of the driving signal on a selected plurality of successive conductors for generating a positional signal and causing the positional signal to be transmitted a selected time after receipt of the information and the amplitudes and further including a transmitter system coupled to the signal processor for transmitting the positional signal, and a signal detector system for detecting the transmitted positional signal.

Claims

1. A pointer position detection system for use in determining the position of a pointer relative to a tablet comprising:

signal generating means coupled to said tablet for transmitting a driving signal;

movable pointer means responsive to said transmitted driving signal, said pointer means including signal processor means responsive to said driving signal for processing information contained in said driving signal and for generating a processed signal indicative thereof and further including transmitting means coupled to said signal processing means for transmitting said processed signal, said signal generating means including a set of conductors for radiating said driving signal, three adjacent conductors being utilized to enable information pertaining to the particular conductor being activated by said signal generating means, information pertaining to the condition of said pointer means and information pertaining to the position of said pointer to be sequentially transmitted; and

signal detecting means for detecting said transmitted processed signal.

2. A pointer position detection system for use in determining the position of a pointer relative to a tablet comprising:

signal generating means coupled to said tablet for transmitting a driving signal, said signal generating means including a set of conductors for radiating said driving signal and said driving signal including information as to the particular conductor being activated by said signal generating means;

movable pointer means responsive to said transmitted driving signal, said pointer means including signal processor means responsive to said information and the amplitude of the driving signal on a selected plurality of successive conductors for generating a positional signal and causing said positional signal to be transmitted a selected time after receipt of said information and said amplitudes and further including transmitting means coupled to said signal processing means for transmitting said positional signal; and

signal detecting means for detecting said transmitted positional signal.