Abstract: An improved high resolution method and apparatus are described for sensing and determining the spatial coordinates of a movable object with respect to a energized conductive surface. The coordinates of the object are precisely measured with respect to a two-dimensional coordinate system independent of the third orthogonal dimension, thereby avoiding significant measurement errors due to variations of the object position in the third orthogonal dimension. The system also ascertains the coordinate position of the object in this third dimension, which can then be utilized as an independent control variable in the system. Further, the system can accommodate a number of energized conductive surfaces over which the object may be positioned and can determine the spatial coordinates of the object with respect to any such surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 1991
Date of Patent:
October 5, 1993
Assignee:
I C Operating, Inc.
Inventors:
Leonard Reiffel, Wayne D. Jung, Thomas Rosevear, Thomas Jakobs