US3758949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digitizer
Assignee: AT&T Teletype Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-06
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1991-01-06
Abstract
Abstract Digital readout data of coordinates of points in a two dimensional system is generated in a pair of counters in response to the angular positions of the following: (1) a first disc rotatable in response to movement of a first slider in a straight path to a selected position, and (2) a second disc rotatable in response to movement of the first slider and in response to movement of a second slider in a straight path to a selected position. The second slider is carried from the first slider and arranged for movement therewith and normally thereto independently thereof. Effect on readout due to movement of the second slider resulting from the movement of the first slider is prevented because the discs are mounted for rotation simultaneously upon movement of the first slider. A sensing assembly adapted for detecting the relative angular displacement of the second disc and actuating an associated counter is carried with said first disc for rotation relative to the second disc.
Inventors
- 👤 C Fausel
- 👤 A Lorenz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
358 words
In a digitizer wherein transducing means, supported on a stationary base, comprises a first member having at least one annular face portion and mounted for rotation relative to said base about the axis of said face portion in response to movement of a first element along a first straight course relative to said base, and a second member having at least one annular face portion and mounted for rotation relative to said base about said axis of said last-mentioned face portion in response to said movement of said first element and to relative movement between said first element and a second element carried with said first element, said second element being movable relative to said first element along a second course extending along said first element perpendicularly to said first course, and wherein the transducing means further includes means for displaying for each of said members a separate symbol, said symbols respectively being representative of the angular displacements of, the first member relative to an initial angular reference position thereof fixed relative to the base, and of the second member relative to an initial angular reference position thereof fixed relative to the first member, in response to and correlated with any movement of the associated one of said first and second elements, relative to an initial reference position thereof, along the associated one of said first and second straight courses, the improvement comprising: means for rotating: (1) said second member independently of said first member in response to linear movement of said second element along said second course, and (2) said first and second members simultaneously in response to linear movement of said first element, and means for preventing an effect on said displaying means resulting from movement of said second member in consequence of movement of said first element, said last-mentioned means including: first means, fixed to said base, for sensing the angular displacement of said first member, relative to said initial angular reference position thereof, and second means, comprising a photosensor arranged for rotation with said first member, for sensing the angular displacement of said second member only when it is relative to said first member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
358 words
In a digitizer wherein transducing means, supported on a stationary base, comprises a first member having at least one annular face portion and mounted for rotation relative to said base about the axis of said face portion in response to movement of a first element along a first straight course relative to said base, and a second member having at least one annular face portion and mounted for rotation relative to said base about said axis of said last-mentioned face portion in response to said movement of said first element and to relative movement between said first element and a second element carried with said first element, said second element being movable relative to said first element along a second course extending along said first element perpendicularly to said first course, and wherein the transducing means further includes means for displaying for each of said members a separate symbol, said symbols respectively being representative of the angular displacements of, the first member relative to an initial angular reference position thereof fixed relative to the base, and of the second member relative to an initial angular reference position thereof fixed relative to the first member, in response to and correlated with any movement of the associated one of said first and second elements, relative to an initial reference position thereof, along the associated one of said first and second straight courses, the improvement comprising: means for rotating: (1) said second member independently of said first member in response to linear movement of said second element along said second course, and (2) said first and second members simultaneously in response to linear movement of said first element, and means for preventing an effect on said displaying means resulting from movement of said second member in consequence of movement of said first element, said last-mentioned means including: first means, fixed to said base, for sensing the angular displacement of said first member, relative to said initial angular reference position thereof, and second means, comprising a photosensor arranged for rotation with said first member, for sensing the angular displacement of said second member only when it is relative to said first member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating comprises a rotatable shaft and a cylinder mounted for rotation concentrically with said shaft, said first member being rotatable relative to said base in response to movement of said first element relative to said base and being secured to said shaft, said Second member being rotatable in response to movement of said first element relative to said base and to movment of said second element relative to said first element and being carried by said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
305 words
Apparatus for providing digital display of coordinate points of a two dimensional plane and comprising: a stationary base; a first slider mounted on said base and arranged for movement in a first linear path relative thereto; a second slider mounted on said first slider for movement relative thereto in a second linear path extending perpendicularly to said first path; a first supporting element mounted for rotational movement relative to said base and drive-coupled to said first slider; a first member mounted on said first supporting element for rotation therewtih; first pulley-cable drive coupling means for rotating said first member relative to aid base through an angle in response to and corresponding to the linear distance of movement of said first slider; a second supporting element mounted for rotational movement relative to said base and drive-coupled to said second slider; a second member mounted coaxially of said first member on said second supporting element for rotation therewith; second pulley-cable drive coupling means for rotating said second member relative to said base through an angle in response to and corresponding to the linear distance of movement of said second slider plus the linear distance of movement of said first slider, and means for sensing the angular distance through which said first member moves, relative to said base, with said second member, in response to movement of said first slider relative to said base, and for sensing the angular distance through which said second member moves, relative to said first member, in response to movement of said second slider relative to said first slider, said means for sensing comprising first and second sensing assemblies, said first sensing assembly being fixed on said base adjacent said rotatable first member, and said second sensing assembly being mounted for rotation with said first member independently of rotation of said second member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
305 words
Apparatus for providing digital display of coordinate points of a two dimensional plane and comprising: a stationary base; a first slider mounted on said base and arranged for movement in a first linear path relative thereto; a second slider mounted on said first slider for movement relative thereto in a second linear path extending perpendicularly to said first path; a first supporting element mounted for rotational movement relative to said base and drive-coupled to said first slider; a first member mounted on said first supporting element for rotation therewtih; first pulley-cable drive coupling means for rotating said first member relative to aid base through an angle in response to and corresponding to the linear distance of movement of said first slider; a second supporting element mounted for rotational movement relative to said base and drive-coupled to said second slider; a second member mounted coaxially of said first member on said second supporting element for rotation therewith; second pulley-cable drive coupling means for rotating said second member relative to said base through an angle in response to and corresponding to the linear distance of movement of said second slider plus the linear distance of movement of said first slider, and means for sensing the angular distance through which said first member moves, relative to said base, with said second member, in response to movement of said first slider relative to said base, and for sensing the angular distance through which said second member moves, relative to said first member, in response to movement of said second slider relative to said first slider, said means for sensing comprising first and second sensing assemblies, said first sensing assembly being fixed on said base adjacent said rotatable first member, and said second sensing assembly being mounted for rotation with said first member independently of rotation of said second member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said members is a disc having a plurality of arcuately spaced apart apertures, said first sensing assembly comprising a first lamp and a first photosensor aligned for exposure to said first lamp through apertures in said first disc for counting the angular distance of its rotation, and said second sensing assembly being secured to said first supporting element and comprising a second lamp and a second photosensor aligned for exposure to said second lamp through apertures in said second disc for sensing the angular distance of its rotation relative to said first disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A combination according to claim 3 wherein said second member is arranged for movement in response to movement of said first slider and wherein said means for sensing includes a first sensor assembly fixed on said base adjacent said first rotatable member for registering the rotation of said first member relative to said base, and a second sensor assembly arranged for rotation with said first member and responsive to the rotation of said second member relative to said first member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
220 words
A digitizer comprising: a stationary base; first and second elements mounted on said base for movement relative to said base along orthogonal paths, said second element carried by said first element; a separate cable connected to each of said elements; a first member connected to said first element through one of said cables for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to said base in response to movement in one of said paths; a second member connected to the other cable and mounted parallel to said first member for coaxial rotation about said axis relative to said first member in response to movement of said second element linearly in the other of said paths and independently of any moveMent of said first element in said one path; means for generating a first output in response to the angular distance through which said first member rotates relative to said base, and means for generating a second output in response to the angular distance through which said second member rotates relative to said first member, said last-mentioned means being mounted for rotation with said first member about said axis so as to prevent the generation of said second output in response to the angular distance through which said second member rotates by reason of movement in only said one of said paths.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
220 words
A digitizer comprising: a stationary base; first and second elements mounted on said base for movement relative to said base along orthogonal paths, said second element carried by said first element; a separate cable connected to each of said elements; a first member connected to said first element through one of said cables for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to said base in response to movement in one of said paths; a second member connected to the other cable and mounted parallel to said first member for coaxial rotation about said axis relative to said first member in response to movement of said second element linearly in the other of said paths and independently of any moveMent of said first element in said one path; means for generating a first output in response to the angular distance through which said first member rotates relative to said base, and means for generating a second output in response to the angular distance through which said second member rotates relative to said first member, said last-mentioned means being mounted for rotation with said first member about said axis so as to prevent the generation of said second output in response to the angular distance through which said second member rotates by reason of movement in only said one of said paths.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A combination according to claim 6 wherein said second output generating means comprises a pulse generator, and said preventing means comprises means rigidly securing said pulse generator to said first member for rotation about said axis, said pulse generator being responsive to rotation of said second member relative to said first member for generating said second output.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A combination according to claim 7 wherein said pulse generator comprises a photosensor and a lamp supported in operable alignment with said second member and wherein said second member is a disc having arcuately spaced apart openings through which said photosensor is successively and interruptedly exposed to said lamp only upon movement of said second element independently of movement of said first element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A combination according to claim 8 wherein said first output generating means comprises another pulse generator comprising another lamp and photosensor photo-sensor fixedly supported on said base in operable alignment with said first member, and wherein said first member is another disc having arcuately spaced openings through which said other photosensor is successively and interruptedly exposed to said other lamp during all continuous movement in said first path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination according to claim 9 further characterized by means for counting generated pulses according to the direction of rotation of said members, each relative to its associated photosensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination according to claim 10 wherein said counting means comprises a pair of up-down switches including sensors arranged for response to the direction of rotation of each disc relative to its associated photosensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination according to claim 6 wherein said first output generating means comprises a pulse generator mounted on said base adjacent said first member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |