Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-09-18
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
C178S019020, C178S018040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292180
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device having an ultrasound transducer and more particularly to a device having a mount for holding the ultrasound transducer.
2. Description of Related Art
Ultrasound has been used in a variety of positioning systems. These systems typically involve the transmission of an ultrasound signal and the calculation of the time of flight of the signal.
One application of ultrasound positioning systems has been the determination of the position of a writing element. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,552 to Stefik et al. discloses a transcription system where an ultrasound transducer is fixed to the distal end of a stylus. The transcription system also includes ultrasound detectors coupled to a writing surface. During operation of the transcription system, the stylus writes upon the writing surface and ultrasound signals are transmitted from the ultrasound transducer to the detectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An assembly is provided for mounting an ultrasound transducer. The assembly may be incorporated into a variety of devices which incorporate an ultrasound transducer. For example, the device may be a stylus, erase, or mouse used in a transcription system such as the one described in U.S. patent applicant Ser. No. 09/273,921, filed Mar. 9, 1999 which is incorporated herein by reference.
In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a body having a proximal end, a distal end and perimeters which are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the assembly body. The assembly body includes a proximal mount section having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter distal to the outer perimeter. The inner perimeter is smaller than the outer perimeter. A distal mount section is positioned distal to the proximal mount section. The distal mount section has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter proximal to the outer perimeter. The inner perimeter is smaller than the outer perimeter. A loop shaped ultrasound transducer surrounds the assembly body adjacent the proximal and distal mount sections such that a proximal edge of the ultrasound transducer conforms to a shape of the proximal mount section adjacent where the proximal edge contacts the proximal mount section and a distal edge of the ultrasound transducer conforms to a shape of the distal mount section adjacent where the distal edge contacts the distal mount section.
A kit for forming an assembly for mounting an ultrasound transmitter is also provided. The kit may be used to form a device which includes the ultrasound transmitter. In one embodiment, the kit includes a proximal member having perimeters which are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal member. The proximal member includes a proximal mount section having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter proximal to the inner perimeter. The outer perimeter is larger than the inner perimeter. A distal member has perimeters which are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the distal member. The distal member includes a distal mount section having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter distal to the inner perimeter. The outer perimeter is larger than the inner perimeter. The proximal member is adapted to be coupled to a proximal end of the distal member such that a loop shaped ultrasound transducer surrounding the proximal and distal members adjacent the proximal and distal mount sections conforms to a shape of the proximal mount section adjacent where the ultrasound transducer contacts the proximal mount section and conforms to a shape of the distal mount section adjacent where the ultrasound transducer contacts the distal mount section.
According to the kit embodiment, the proximal member and distal member, when coupled together, may define a section between the inner perimeters of the proximal and distal mount sections having a perimeter that is smaller than the inner perimeters of the proximal and distal mount sections. The section between the inner perimeters of the proximal and distal mount sections may optionally have a cylindrical shape. The distal mount section may also be configured to be coupled with a distal end of the proximal member. The distal mount section may include a port for receiving the distal end of the proximal member. The distal mount section may also include a flange for limiting movement of the proximal member within the port.
According to any of the above embodiments, the proximal mount section may transition in a proximal direction from the inner perimeter to the outer perimeter in a continuously changing manner and the distal mount section may transition in a distal direction from the inner perimeter to the outer perimeter in a continuously changing manner. The transitions of the proximal and distal mount sections from the inner perimeters to the outer perimeters may each form a surface having a curved contour parallel to the longitudinal axis of the assembly body. The transitions of the proximal and distal mount sections from the inner perimeters to the outer perimeters may also each form a surface having a linear contour parallel to the longitudinal axis of the assembly body. The proximal and distal mount section may also transition from the inner perimeter to the outer perimeter in a stepwise manner.
A feature of the assembly and kit is that the proximal and distal mount members can be used to maintain the ultrasound transducer in a predetermined shape. For example, in one embodiment, the ultrasound transducer is maintained in a substantially cylindrical shape. The proximal and distal edges of the ultrasound transducer may have perimeters which are about a same size as the inner perimeters of the proximal and distal mount sections. Alternatively, the proximal and distal edges of the ultrasound transducer having perimeters which are larger than the inner perimeters of the proximal and distal mount sections. Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer may be smaller, proximal and distal mount sections radially distending the proximal and distal edges of the ultrasound transducer.
The assembly body may be designed to include a contracted section extending between the inner perimeter of the proximal mount section and the inner perimeter of the distal mount section. This allows the ultrasound transducer to not contact the assembly body between where the ultrasound transducer contacts the proximal and distal mount sections. As a result, an air gap is formed between the ultrasound transducer and a assembly body. In one embodiment, the contracted section has a cylindrical shape.
A method is also provided for assembling an ultrasound transmitter. In one embodiment, the method comprises taking a loop shaped ultrasound transducer; and joining proximal and distal mount members such that the loop shaped ultrasound transducer surrounds a union of the proximal and distal mount members, the proximal mount member having a surface which abuts a proximal edge of the ultrasound transducer and the distal mount member having a surface which abuts a distal edge of the ultrasound transducer. According to the method, an air gap may be formed between the ultrasound transducer and the union of the proximal and distal mount members. Also according to the method, the loop shaped ultrasound transducer may conform to a shape of the proximal mount section adjacent where the ultrasound transducer contacts the proximal mount section and conforms to a shape of the distal mount section adjacent where the ultrasound transducer contacts the distal mount section. Also according to the method, the proximal and distal mount members may maintain a surface of the ultrasound transducer in a substantially cylindrical shape.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4246439 (1981-01-01), Romein
patent: 4577057 (1986-03-01), Blesser
patent: 4654648 (1987-03-01), Herrington et al.
patent: 4814552 (1989-03-01), Stefik et al.
patent: WO 98/40838 (1998-09-01), None
Said Mansour M.
Shalwala Bipin
Virtual Ink Corporation
Weitz David J.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
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