Patent · US Expired

Early fault detection in an opto-matrix touch input device

US4645920A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
7References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 31, 1984
Grant dateFeb 24, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 31, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/0421
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An opto-matrix touch input device which samples and compares beam readings is taught. Briefly stated, phototransistor readings which sample ambient light as well as light from an associated light emitting diode are compared with preset values. If the readings from the phototransistor are below a certain level, then the phototransistor/LED pair are flagged as bad. If the readings are within preset limits, yet below nominal values, then the phototransistor/LED pair are flagged as indicating a marginal beam. In this manner a trouble report may be generated for the purpose of repair or investigation as well as providing a vehicle for keeping a history of the opto-matrix frame condition and thereby a method of early fault detection.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.