Shifting wire sequence digitizer system

Abstract

In a digitizer system, a grid comprises a group of X conductors and a group of Y conductors, each such group comprising a first and second set of conductors. The first set in each group is formed by looping a predetermined number of conductors back and forth across the grid active area so as to provide a plurality of crossing conductors segments. The second group is formed by looping a different number of conductors back and forth across the active area in the spaces between the conductors of the first set so as to provide a plurality of second set crossing conductor segments alternating with said first set crossing conductor segments. Due to the differing number of conductors in the sets and their alternate looping across the grid active area, the positional and directional polarity relationships between the crossing conductor segments shift across the active area, enabling segments to be distinguished from one another and treated as if they were separate and distinct wires. This shifting wire sequence conductor arrangement permits coverage of relatively large grid active areas with a minimal number of multiplexers for switching the conductors to signal processing circuitry.