DE2339460A1 - POSITION INDICATOR - Google Patents

Description

Position indicator The invention relates to a position indicator and in particular a position indicator, as it is used to generate output signals, the coordinates of a position on an image or. represent a representation, is used. The image can, for example, be an image of a particular area demonstrate. Known position indicators of this type are generally expensive and complex. A known position indicator consists of a clear sheet of electrical resistance material, that lies over a picture arrangement and a pen that is used to touch the transparent sheet is used. Both the pen and the clear one Sheets have electrical connections to a process unit through which the Coordinates of the position touched by the pen from the amplitude or from others electrical characteristics of the electrical signals passing through it determined can be. It was also suggested using two signals different To use frequencies, to distinguish the - and y-coordinate of an image display. Known position indicators are both in terms of cost and cost their complexity is not particularly suitable for a let-production, and it should According to the invention, a position indicator can be created, compared to known position indicators can be produced easily and cheaply.

According to a first aspect of the invention includes a position indicator a first layer with kokali @ sierte conductive areas, a second layer with conductive areas, one of the layers being elastically deformable, and one electrically insulating spacer between the first and second layers, so that the layers to one another riormally outside of electrical contact are held, but are designed in their holes so that when appropriate pressure is applied on the elastically deformable layer in the area of a hole this in electrical Is brought into contact with the other layer.

The conductive areas of the second layer can simply be other areas a continuous conductive sheet or alternatively localized conductive areas be.

According to a second aspect of the invention includes a position indicator a first layer having a plurality of elongate ones substantially parallel to one another in a first Ri obtung lying conductors, a second layer with a multitude deformable, elongated, essentially above parallel to each other in one second weighting transversely to the first lying conductor, and an electrically insulating one A spacer between the first and second layers so that the layers are normally kept outside of electrical contact with each other, however has holes where conductor in first Shift ladder in the second layer cross, ed that when appropriate pressure is exerted on a deformable Conductor in the second layer in an intersection area of these in electrical contact is brought with a ladder in the first layer.

There is preferably an electrically insulating spacer device of an insulating sheet of material with tabs or openings contained therein in the crossing areas of the two conductor layers.

The deformable conductors are preferably of this second layer on the first layer side of an elastically flexible continuous electrically insulating Attached to the sheet. If the deformation pressure is discontinued, it returns with a suitable choice of the resiliently flexible sheet moves a deformed conductor to its original position return.

The flexible continuous sheet is also advantageously transparent. Where the surface of the flexible sheet facing the deformable conductors is not exactly smooth, it is preferably coated with a substance which has the same refractive index as the flexible sheet. This will Scattering of the light on the non-smooth surface is avoided and prevents that the flexible sheet appears opaque to an observer. Conveniently this substance can be a silicone oil.

The first direction is also advantageously to the second weighting at right angles.

The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments Referring to the drawings explained in more detail; in this shows: Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of this, FIG. 3 shows a modification of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows another according to the invention Embodiment According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first layer consists of a field elongated electrical conductor 3, which on an electrically insulating sheet 5 are arranged. A second layer consists of another field of deformable, elongated, electrical conductor 1 running on an elastically flexible transparent, electrically insulating sheet 6 are adhesively attached. Head 1 and Head 3 are rectangular arranged to each other. A spacer device is between the first and second layers embedded in the form of a third layer, consisting of a transparent electrically insulating film 2 is composed at each crossing point of conductors 1 and 3 Has window 4.

Typically, the diameter of each window 4 can be between Be 2 and 4 mm, and each window is as close as possible to the neighboring one Windows spaced. The conductors 1 and 3 can conveniently by etching a Copper layer can be made, initially over the entire surface of the leaves 6 or 5 adheres. Typically, each electrical conductor is approximately 0.200 mm (8/1000 inch) wide and 0.025 mm (1/1000 inch) thick. The copper becomes common glued to the sheets 5 and 6 with the help of an adhesive, and there the sheet 6 very thin and resiliently flexible, it is difficult to remove this adhesive from its Surface can be removed without risk of damaging the sheet. The exposed one Adhesive gives the bottom of the sheet 6.

has a relatively rough surface and causes the blade 6 is scattered by incident light on the lower surface.

This is prevented by the underside of the sheet 6: with is coated with an oil which has a reflective index equal to that of the sheet 6. The oil must be an insulator and can conveniently be a silicone oil. It fills also the window 4 and has the further advantage that the surface tension of the oil the return of the deformable conductor / to its original position supported when no pressure is put on him.

The position indicator is now used so that a desired position is touched with a pen or possibly even a finger, so that the pressure generated on a part of the conductor running through a window 4 1 acts and thereby'an electrical circuit between the conductor 1 and the associated Head 3 closes. If a hard pen is used, it is necessary to apply pressure to locate exactly over a Benster region. On the other hand, if a pen has a uses flexible or deformable end (such as a pen with a rubber end), this is not necessary. In the latter case, the diameter of the pen tip should be be large enough to cover more than one window.

or resolution The raster resolution / of the position indicator is given by determines the window spacing, and by reducing the spacing, the screen resolution can be increased increase. This is particularly advantageous when using a pen a small tip is used. If a pen with a small tip without Increase the number of output connections used, should it be possible to to connect adjacent electrical conductors to each other. Ladders 1 and 3 become then usually with one Type of position encoder connected, so that each x- and y-coordinate is assigned a unique code, whereby a It is possible to recognize their position without ambiguity. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment a self-coding position indicator in which the electrical conductors are in groups of three are arranged. Is z. B. Pressure exerted through window 41Z the three conductors 11, 12 and 13 deformed so that with each of the three conductors 31, 32 and 33 a contact will be produced. The conductors 1 are connected to a main line 14 consisting of three Wires and similarly the conductors 3 to a main line 3i of three wires connected. By connecting the different conductors with the different combinations of the main lines, the panel can be designed to be self-coding. Instead of the Using ladders in groups of three, individual conductors can be used as shown in FIG in this bounce each conductor with a different combination of main lines is connected.

The position indicator according to the Tig. 1 to 3 is usually about mounted on a picture or a representation with the bzir.

which it should be used. However, it is also possible to combine it with a to use flexible image display, e.g. B. with a specific card or a specific map that is superimposed on the top surface of the position indicator. In this latter 1 all it is of course necessary to ass any of the layers of the cursor is transparent.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment in which an upper elastic deformable layer 41 of an opaque electrically insulating material on its lower surface a continuous sheet of electrically conductive material 42 z. B. has a thin copper foil. A lower layer of foiling material 43 has localized senior Wentekt areas @@ on @@@ because inden above a narrow conductive tape is connected to one edge of the layer 43. Between the layers 41 and 43 is an electrically insulating sheet 45 with holes or Windows 46 are arranged directly over the contact areas @@. The windows 46 can the same size as the contact areas 44, or they can be larger or be smaller if so desired.

Although according to lig. 4 the position indicator in an exploded view Arrangement is shown, in practice the layer 45 is of course firmly between the upper layers 41, 42 and the lower layer 43 embedded. The top layer 41 may have location markers, not shown, directly above each window 46 are positioned to indicate the area that pressure is being applied to an electrical circuit between layer 42 and one of contact areas 44 close.

This embodiment itself leads to the creation of ver pushbutton buttons, which indicate the position. For example, small holes can be made through all layers a contact area center can be formed, whereby a probe plunger pass through them can, so that a push button attached to the head of such a push button on the layer 41 depresses.

Claims (11)

P a t e n t a n s p -return ) position indicator, not shown by a first layer (1) with localized conductive areas, a second layer (3) with conductive Areas, one of these layers being elastically deformable, and one electrically insulating spacer device (2) between the first and second layer, so that the layers are normally kept out of electrical contact with one another are, but have holes formed so that when appropriate pressure is applied to the elastically deformable layer in the area of a hole this in electrical Is brought into contact with the other layer. 2. Position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t, - that the conductive areas of the second layer other areas of a continuous conductive sheet are. 3. Position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the conductive areas of the second layer are localized conductive Areas are. 4 position indicators, not marked by a first Layer (1) with a plurality of elongated, substantially parallel to each other in In a first direction are the conductors 1 of a second layer (3) with a plurality deformable, elongated, essentially also parallel to each other in a second Direction transverse to the first lying conductor, and an electrically insulating stand-alone device (2) between the first and second layers so that the layers are normally kept out of electrical contact with one another, however, have holes where conductors in the first layer conductors in the second layer cross so that with appropriate pressure on a deformable conductor in the second layer in an intersection area this is in electrical contact with is brought to a conductor in the first layer. 5. Position indicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized it is not noted that the electrically insulating spacer device is an insulating sheet of material having windows or openings therein. 6 '. Position indicator according to claim 4, characterized in that g e k e n n -9 e i c h n e t that the electrically insulating spacer device is an insulating Material sheet with windows or openings in it in the intersection areas which is two layers of conductors. 7. Position indicator according to one of claims 4 or 6, characterized in that g e k e n n X e i c h n e t that the deformable conductor of the second layer is on the first layer side of an elastically flexible continuous electrically insulating Sheet are attached. 8. Position indicator according to claim 7, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c That is, the flexible continuous sheet is transparent. 9. Position indicator according to claim 8, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the surface of the flexible one facing the deformable conductors The sheet is coated with a substance that has the same refractive index as comprising the flexible sheet. 10. Position indicator according to claim 9, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i n e t that this substance is a silicone oil. 11. Position indicator according to claim 4, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.