Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device
Reexamination Certificate
1995-06-06
2002-04-23
Liang, Regina (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
C345S168000, C359S033000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06377238
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a holographic operator interface to electronic or electromechanical devices such as data processing units or computers and, more particularly, to a holographic operator interface where there is no tangible physical contact between the operator and the control elements of the operator interface as the input devices are holographic images of the keys or other customarily touch-activated tangible input devices. Operator interaction is detected through electromagnetic or other means, thereby obviating the need for direct physical contact with a solid input object or surface.
There are many methods and devices available for entering data and commands into computers, such as pushbuttons, keyboards, trackballs, mice and light pens. All of these input devices share a common disadvantage in that they require tangible physical contact by the user of the computer or electronic device. The repetitive physical effort required to operate solid keyboards has been shown to cause or promote physical maladies, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Even where only one person uses the input device it is inherently subject to wear and damage because of the mechanical aspects of these input devices. Where many individuals use an input device throughout the day, such as in a bank's automated teller machine, problems of normal wear and tear are exacerbated by constant use, a potentially inhospitable environment and hygiene concerns. These hygiene concerns are particularly relevant in sterile environments such as a hospital operating room where it is desirable to control electronic equipment without physical contact that may compromise sterility. These standard input devices share an additional disadvantage in that one input device cannot be commonly used to control several electronic devices without physically disconnecting and reconnecting the input devices, thereby necessitating the use of several similar input devices rather than one remotely connected input device. Additionally, changing the notation or arrangement of the input devices is generally impractical because of the problems inherent in replacing keycaps or altering a keyboard arrangement.
Electromechanical keyboards and keypads are the most common operator interface for inputting data and commands into electronic devices such as computers. However, these devices are unsuitable for certain environments and it is considered desirable to reduce the use of electromechanical relays because of their inherent problems. Furthermore, they have been shown to cause or promote the aforementioned physical maladies in part because they require the repeated application of physical pressure. Previous attempts to provide operator input without using electromechanical devices have included a “Keyboard With Immobile Touch Switches,” U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,789, issued Mar. 12, 1968 to H. Thiele et al. and a “Motionless Data Input Key,” U.S. Pat. No. 3,340,401, issued Sept. 5, 1967 to J. E. Young. The devices disclosed in these patents, while eliminating the need for electromechanical relays, still require the user to physically touch the input device to actuate it.
Although holographic images are used in other operator interfaces, they are used as visual output devices (displays) rather than as input devices. Head-up displays such as those used in aircraft or the “Holographic Head-Up Control Panel” described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,048 issued Apr. 4, 1989 to G. Moss exemplify this use of holograms in output devices. In these implementations of operator interfaces the holographic image provides information and feedback responsive to the operator's actuation of solid controls separate and distinct from the holographic image.
This invention is directed toward providing a means by which an operator may control one or more devices without touching a solid control object or surface while still interacting with familiar controls that are visually perceived, such as a keyboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an interface between an operator and a device to be controlled. The operator interface includes an input interface that permits the operator to input data and commands into a device such as a computer without requiring physical contact. The input interface includes a holographic image of a physical input device—the operator activates the input interface without physically touching a solid control surface. The input interface is activated when the user passes a finger or pointer through the holographic image of a key or other input device. Operator actuation is detected through electromagnetic radiation or sound energy, allowing the operator to use familiar key controls while avoiding physical contact.
The input interface incorporates a three-dimensional holographic image of a keyboard or other input device projected from a hologram of the input device. The hologram may be either a reflection hologram or a transmission hologram, the type of hologram used dictating the relative position of the light used to project the three-dimensional holographic image.
The operator interface may optionally include an output interface, such as a conventional video display used in personal computers.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3340401 (1967-09-01), Young
patent: 3372789 (1968-03-01), Thiele et al.
patent: 3476473 (1969-11-01), Fend
patent: 3735395 (1973-05-01), Iwabuchi
patent: 3949235 (1976-04-01), Miyazaki et al.
patent: 4145945 (1979-03-01), Iyeta
patent: 4256927 (1981-03-01), Treheux et al.
patent: 4593967 (1986-06-01), Haugen
patent: 4779025 (1988-10-01), Paynton et al.
patent: 4818048 (1989-04-01), Moss
patent: 4882582 (1989-11-01), Oka
patent: 4884073 (1989-11-01), Souloumiac
patent: 4885574 (1989-12-01), Negishi et al.
patent: 5097252 (1992-03-01), Harvill et al.
patent: 5398045 (1995-03-01), Sach et al.
patent: 2249645 (1992-05-01), None
patent: 2-210383 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 3-217925 (1991-09-01), None
patent: 9209944 (1992-06-01), None
R. Collier et al., “Optical Holography,” Academic Press, New York, 1971, pp. 137-152, 170-177 and 197-203.
McManus et al., “Switched Holograms for Reconfigurable Optical Interconnect,” Feb. 6, 1990, U.S. Statutory Invention Registration No. H738.
P. Hariharan, “Interferometric metrology: current trends and future prospects,” in “SPIE vol. 816 Interferometric Metrology,” 1976.
Stephen A. Benton, “White-Light Transmission/Reflection Holographic Imaging” in “Applications of Holography and Optical Data Processing,” ed. Marom et al., Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1977.
Jearl Walker, “The Amateur Scientist,” Scientific American, Sep. 1986, pp. 114-119.
P. Hariharan, “Optical Holography: Principles, Techniques and Applications,” Cambridge University Press, 1984, pp. 21-22, 27-29, and 120-128.
J. E. Kasper and S. A. Feller, “The Complete Book of Holograms,” John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1987, pp. 50-59, 97-111 and 136-138.
T. Okoshi, “Three-Dimensional Imaging Techniques,” Academic Press, New York, 1976, 186-258.
R. Collier et al., “Optical Holography,” Academic Press, New York, 1971, pp. 137-152, 170-177, and 197-203.
“Holographic Key Labeling” D.W. Hulton,IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletinvol. 22 No. 6, Nov. 1979, pp. 2505-2506.
LandOfFree
Holographic control arrangement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Holographic control arrangement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Holographic control arrangement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2906680