Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-17
2001-10-16
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S158000, C345S211000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304246
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an input device for shifting a marker on a monitor of the type used for program control or for system control via graphic user surfaces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
German OS 43 16 888 discloses an input device of the above general type which is called an “optical mouse”. The optical mouse has the shape of a small housing in which an optical scanning system is arranged. The optical scanning system detects the movements in two perpendicular coordinate directions which the mouse executes on a movement base overlaid with a grid of points or lines. Each point or line which is overrun by the optical mouse causes an optical signal to be generated that is converted into a corresponding electrical signal by opto-electronic converters, with the marker on the monitor—generally a cursor—being shifted in position on the basis of the electrical signal. At least one electrical button is generally arranged on the mouse for entering commands that usually serve to initiate functions connected to the position or the path of the cursor on the monitor. The mouse is connected to a separately arranged evaluation unit via optically conductive fibers exclusively. The optically conductive fibers transmit the optical signals from the optical scanning system to the evaluation unit. Since the detection of the relative motion of the two parts with respect to one another occurs purely optically and is emitted as an optical signal via optically conductive fibers, disturbing electric or magnetic influences from the operating system are precluded. Disturbing electrical or magnetic signals that may disturb the operation of the connected computer likewise cannot be picked up. A drawback, however, is that due to the optically conductive fibers the mouse cannot be operated in the sterile working environment of a surgeon.
German OS 44 41 169 also discloses an input device having a housing in which motion detectors are arranged along with an evaluation and protocol circuit connected thereto. The housing contains an electrical shield within which motion detectors and the evaluation and protocol circuit are arranged, along with an electro-optical conversion unit connected to the latter. The electro-optical conversion unit converts the electrical signals emitted by the evaluation and protocol circuit into corresponding optical signals. A lead-through filter is arranged in the shield through which the evaluation and protocol circuit can be powered with electrical energy. An opening is further arranged in the shield through which the fiber-optical transmission means (light waveguides) connected to the electro-optical conversion unit are led out of the shield. By means of the transmission of the control signals via a light waveguide it is guaranteed that an undisturbed data transmission to a connected computer is possible even in high-frequency electromagnetic fields. A disturbance by the input device itself is also thereby precluded. Operation in the sterile working environment of a surgeon, however, is not possible in this case, either.
German OS 30 36 217 describes a stationary input device which operates a medical device disposed at a distance from the input device can be operated. The input device contains a transmitter for the wireless transmission of control commands to the medical device being controlled, a switch arrangement for controlling the transmitter dependent on the operating elements of the input device, and an energy storage unit (battery). The input device can be surrounded by a sterilizeable jacket or shell that is permeable at the frequency of the transmitter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device of the initially described general type that can be operated not only in a sterile working environment of a surgical operating room but also in the immediate vicinity of, as well as within, an MR tomography apparatus.
The inventive input device for shifting a marker on a monitor has a completely closed, hermetically sealed and sterilizeable housing with an electric shield, at least one sensor arrangement which detects a movement of the housing, and an evaluation unit connected with the sensor arrangement, as well as a conversion unit connected to the evaluation unit downstream. The sensor arrangement can be composed of optical sensors, sensors based on microswitches or pressure-sensitive sensors. The conversion unit serves to convert the signals emitted by the evaluation unit into corresponding modulated signals. The sensor arrangement, the evaluation unit and the conversion unit are arranged entirely inside the electrical shield. The inventive input unit further contains a transmitting unit for radiating the modulated signals to the environment (broadcasting), where they are detected by a receiver positioned in the environment and are converted into signals for shifting the mark on the monitor.
In an embodiment of the input device the signals emitted by the evaluation unit are converted into corresponding signals, broadcast, and detected by a receiver positioned in the environment. These signals can be optical signals or radio signals, for example. The frequency of the radio signal (transmission frequency) thereby lies above the NMR frequency of a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, preferably over 100 MHZ. Thus harmonic oscillations of the radio signal cannot cause interferences with the NMR frequency of the magnetic resonance tomography apparatus. The NMR frequency, which is proportional to the strength of the basic magnetic field, is about 63 MHZ given a basic magnetic field strength of 1.5 T, and about 84 MHZ given a basic magnetic field strength of 2 T. The transmission frequency must be permitted by (available from) the responsible licensing authorities. In Germany the transmission frequency of 433.92 MHZ is available, for example.
The inventive input device thus enables an optical detection of the motion of the housing and a transmission of the signals by radio (e.g. radio frequency). For the transmission by radio components known from mobile radio technology can be utilized, for example. A mechanical and/or pressure-dependent detection of the motion of the housing and a transmission of the signal on an optical path (e.g. infrared) are also possible.
Fiber-optical transmission means are thus unnecessary in the inventive input device. Thus not only is the operating comfort increased, but also the capability of operating the inventive input device in the sterile working environment of a surgeon is produced. The modulation of the signals by the evaluation unit and the radiation thereof as modulated signals are necessary so that the different directions of motion of the input device can be distinguished from one another and from the actuation of a button element, if used. For reasons of performance an amplitude modulation should precede a frequency modulation. The range of the emitted signals should generally equal at least five meters so that an unrestricted function within the operating room is guaranteed. For applications in the treatment room of a doctor shorter ranges of the emitted signals may be sufficient.
The input device can have a two-piece housing composed of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrol-polymerisate (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC), which are welded together. Such an input device is suitable without problems for all types of sterilization (cold gas sterilization, hot vapor sterilization, plasma sterilization).
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patent: 5877732 (
Koch Harald
Kuth Rainer
Hjerpe Richard
Nguyen Francis
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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