Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-03-06
Hjerpe, Richard A. (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S173000, C345S177000, C178S018010, C178S018030, C178S018040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198470
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a computer input device, and more particularly but not exclusively to a computer input device which is operable to manipulate a point or cursor, in an image or on a screen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer input devices such as the keyboard, touchscreen and mouse are well known. However these comprise moving parts and are thus subject to wear. Wired input devices which are at least in part worn or held by the user, are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,682,159 and 4,988,981.
In some cases wires are found to be inconvenient or otherwise undesirable, and there are thus known wireless cursor manipulation devices which are worn or held by a user and examples are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,444,462, 5,453,759, 5,754,126, 5,736,976, 5,638,092, 5,790,100, 5,489,922 and 5,729,475.
Systems in which no device is either worn or held by the user and which use electromagnetic radiation to monitor the location of a body part are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,717,413 and 5,686,942. In the latter case it is also disclosed to use ultrasonic waves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a digital input device for entering data into a digital system. The device comprises at least two remote sensors and a control unit. A working area is set, that is to say typically but not necessarily predefined, in proximity to the remote sensors, and the position of an object within the working area is detected by the input device based on data provided by the sensors and transmitted, by the control unit, to the digital system. However, if any of the parameters of the position of an object are detected to be outside the working area, then they are rejected by the control unit and are not transmitted to the digital system. Preferably such parameters are replaced by values indicating the edge of said working area.
The sensors are preferably ultrasonic transducers, and preferably each detect the distance of the object therefrom. The control unit may convert the detected distances into co-ordinates relative to an origin within the working area. The object may typically be a part of the body of a user, for example a finger.
Preferably, the second sensor is placed perpendicularly to the first sensor.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, an angle subtended by the object with an axis normal to at least one of the sensors, is ignored in obtaining the distance of the object from the sensor.
There may be provided a third sensor, enabling the control unit to calculate 3-dimensional co-ordinates of the object within the working area.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a digital input device for entering data into a digital system, comprising a first and a second remote sensor and a control unit. A working area is set in proximity to the sensors and the position of an object within the working area is detected by the input device based on data provided by each sensor and transmitted, by the control unit, to the digital system. The position of an object outside the working area, if detected by the input device, is rejected by the control unit and is not transmitted to the digital system. The object is part of the body of a user. Any parameters that are found to be beyond the working area are preferably replaced by parameters indicating the edge of the working area. Thus the point or cursor never moves off the screen.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a digital input device for entering data into a digital system, comprising at least a first and a second remote sensor and a control unit. A working volume is set in proximity to the remote sensors and the position of an object within the working volume is detected by the input device based on data provided by each sensor and transmitted, by the control unit, to the digital system. However the position of an object outside the working volume, if detected by the input device, is rejected by the control unit and is not transmitted to the digital system. Any parameters that are found to be beyond the working area are preferably replaced by parameters indicating the edge of the working area. Thus the point or cursor never moves off the screen.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4375674 (1983-03-01), Thornton
patent: 4682159 (1987-07-01), Davison
patent: 4988981 (1991-01-01), Zimmerman et al.
patent: 5059959 (1991-10-01), Barry
patent: 5444462 (1995-08-01), Wambach
patent: 5453759 (1995-09-01), Seebach
patent: 5489922 (1996-02-01), Zloof
patent: 5594469 (1997-01-01), Freeman et al.
patent: 5638092 (1997-06-01), Eng et al.
patent: 5683092 (1997-11-01), Ito et al.
patent: 5686942 (1997-11-01), Ball
patent: 5717413 (1998-02-01), Mizouchi
patent: 5729475 (1998-03-01), Romanik, Jr.
patent: 5736976 (1998-04-01), Cheung
patent: 5754126 (1998-05-01), Hilbrink et al.
patent: 5757361 (1998-05-01), Hirshik
patent: 5790100 (1998-08-01), Kikinis
“Virtual Integrated Mouse,” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Mar. 1, 1988, vol. 30, Iss. 10, pp 398-401.
Agam Uri
Baratz Yaron
Ben-Bassat Eli
Gal Eli
Jashek Ronen
Abelman ,Frayne & Schwab
Bowers Benjamin D.
Hjerpe Richard A.
LandOfFree
Computer input device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Computer input device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer input device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2541614