The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 26, 1998
Brendan J. Crowley, North Andover, MA (US);
Stephen P. Atwood, Worcester, MA (US);
Steven J. Buelte, Alford, NY (US);
Bernard O. Geaghan, Salem, NH (US);
Greensteel, Inc., Norcross, GA (US);
Abstract
A technique for building touch-sensitive panels which permits construction of large, low-cost electronic whiteboards with improved feel. The electronic whiteboards are of the resistive membrane type, in which a touch on a flexible membrane causes the membrane to come into contact with a surface and that in turn changes the resistances across the membrane and the surface, permitting determination of the location of the touch. A gap between the flexible membrane and the surface is maintained primarily by the use of relatively large spacing structures located between the membrane and the surface, instead of by tension on the membrane. The use of large spacing structures permits the surface to be made using relatively irregular and therefore low-cost material. The spacing structures are backed by an elastic layer, which permits the spacing structures to yield to a touch on the screen. The spacing structures consequently do not interfere with writing on the screen and the combination of yielding spacing structures and low tension on the membrane provides a surface with a better “feel”.