Electronic two directional control apparatus

In apparatus for generating two interrelated outputs the combination of;

• (a) at least four electrodes of approximately equal capacitance connected in spaced opposed pairs and within a common plane to define a two directional electrical field having orthogonal coordinates and so insulated from one another whereby each of said paired electrode capacitances can be varied independently in response to the entry of a grounded conductor into said electrical field;
• (b) electrical input means associated with said paired electrodes for energizing same including means for applying only positive portions of an oscillatory potential to each said paired electrodes whereby each said paired electrodes is charged positively during positive portions of said oscillatory cycle and partially discharged during negative portions of said oscillatory cycle;
• (c) first means associated with said electrical input means for generating a first electrical output of selected characteristics in response to a change in capacitance imposed thereupon;
• (d) second means associated with said electrical input means for generating a second electrical output of selected characteristics in response to a change in capacitance to be imposed thereupon;
• (e) means for establishing electrical communication between one pair of said paired electrodes and said first generating means and between the other pair of said paired electrodes and said second generating means whereby changes in capacitance upon entry of a grounded conductor within the boundary of said electrical field are simultaneously communicated to said first generating means and to said second generating means respectively;
• and
• (f) control means for implementing the generation of said first and second electrical outputs respectively including displaceable conductor means, means supporting said displaceable conductor means centrally above said opposing pairs of electrodes and in close proximity thereto for movement throughout said electrical field centred upon a fixed radius, whereby the electrical capacitance to be imposed is reproducible throughout a range of selected values.

In an electronic two-directional control apparatus provided with electrical input means responsive to the capacitance of an external object for generating two electrical outputs simultaneously, referable as co-ordinates defining the position of said external object in relation to a control surface, including:

• (a) four sensing electrodes of approximately equal capacitance, symmetrically arranged into pairs of opposing sensing electrodes within a common plane and electrically insulated from one another whereby said sensing electrodes define said control surface and whereby said sensing electrode capacitances independently vary in response to the proximity of said external object in relation to said control surface;
• (b) means associated with electrical input means whereby only the positive portions of an oscillatory potential are equally applied to each of said sensing electrodes, and whereby each sensing electrode is charged positively during positive portions of said oscillatory cycle and partially discharged during negative portions of said oscillatory cycle;
• (c) first electrical conducting means for establishing electrical communication between said electrical input means and each of said sensing electrodes;
• (d) two pairs of resistance means for continuously receiving discharge currents originating from each pair of said opposing sensing electrodes, respectively, whereby each discharge current is made a function of corresponding sensing electrode capacitance;
• (e) second electrical conducting means for establishing electrical communication between said two opposing pairs of sensing electrodes and said two pairs of resistance means respectively;
• (f) means for physically positioning said external object in close proximity to said control surface causing said electrical capacitance of said sensing electrode to vary and thereby causing each of said discharge currents to vary in response thereto;
• (g) detector circuit means for simultaneously detecting both continuous discharge currents from each pair of resistance means detecting differences therebetween and generating two electrical outputs respectively referable as coordinates defining the position of said external object in relation to said controlled surface;
• and
• (h) third electrical conducting means for establishing electrical communication between said two pairs of resistance means and said detector circuit means.