The Graphics Technology Company

Gunze Limited

Carroll Touch Inc.

Andrew L Wolfe

Gary L Barrett

A contact input system with conductive segments made of a conductive ink and formed to follow a selected pattern that are located on a rectangular resistive surface. The conductive segments to the left of a T-shaped segment at the midpoint of each side are generally Z-shaped and those to the right of the midpoint are shaped like an inverted Z. The segments are disposed in a generally parabolic shape curving towards the center of the active surface area. The top bar of each segment overlaps at least a portion of the bottom bar of the adjacent conductive segment. The system thus has only two overlapping lines of conductive segments. The segments linearize electric fields in the resistive surface in order to provide greater accuracy in determining the location of a contact point on the surface.

Curvilinear linearization device for touch systems

A touch panel of the present invention consists of a rectangular resistance member on which a potential gradient formation area is formed, a plurality of thin film active elements constructed in accordance with a side of the potential gradient formation area. Each of the thin film active elements has a couple of potential gradient formation current terminals. One of them is connected to the side of the potential gradient formation area while the other one is connected to the gradient formation current terminal included in another thin film active element at the same side as well as connected to a terminal for an external unit.

Touch panel

An edge linearization device for linearizing the electric fields in a resistive surface is described. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the perimeter of an area on a surface having a substantially uniform resistivity. The device utilizes the geometry of the spaces between adjacent conductive elements to provide resistive elements. At least one of the electrodes has an extension. The extension or extensions of the electrodes are progressively inwardly displaced into the area from the perimeter so that there is at least one center-most extension on a first portion of said perimeter and also on a second, opposing portion of said perimeter. In a preferred embodiment, the invention utilizes a surface with a substantially rectangular area having four sides and four corners. Disposed along the sides are a plurality of electrodes and corner electrodes and disposed in the corners of the surface are corner connectors. The use of T-shaped extensions of the electrodes on such a surface is also disclosed. When an electric potential is selectively applied across the surface, a unique electric potential exists which corresponds to the location of a movable object on the surface. A contact input system utilizing such an edge linearization device is disclosed. The contact input system utilizes the surface with the electrodes, corner electrodes, and corner connectors disposed thereon with a movable object for selectively contacting the surface, means responsive to the object for determining the object's location on the surface, and means for selectively applying an electric potential across the surface.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Andrew L Wolfe