Input device for personal digital assistants

• US 20030006975A1
• Filed: 07/03/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Netmor Ltd.
• Inventors: Primack, Harel, Moriya, Netzer, Gidron, David
• Granted Patent: US 6,727,891 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

A device, communicative with a PDA and comprising a movable part, that inputs to the PDA information about all or some of the six spatial variables of the movable part within a space that may be appreciably larger that the PDA and its display screen. The device may serve to conveniently input graphical and symbolic information, in place of a touch-screen, as well as to control multi-dimensional position and orientation of virtual objects in a natural analogous-motion manner. It may also be used in conjunction with an external passive keyboard to input alphanumeric information and commands.

Claims

1. An input device, cooperative with a personal digital assistant (PDA) that includes a display screen, for inputting into the PDA the positions of a movable reference point in terms of at least two dimensions, so as to control variables in a program operating in the PDA and/or positions of an image element on the display screen, the device comprising:

a stationary module, communicative with the PDA and emitting electromagnetic radiation, and

a movable module, in relation to which the reference point is defined and which is receptive to said radiation;

wherein the positions that may be input are at substantial distance from the display screen.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein—

said stationary module includes at least two sources that emit said radiation, each source emitting the radiation at frequencies of less than 100 KHz.;

said movable module includes at least one sensor, operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation; and

the device further comprises a processor, operative to process said electrical signals into position information.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said processor is further operative to process said electrical signals into tracking information.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into coordinates for positioning a cursor within the display on the screen of the PDA.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein said position information is utilized to effect drawing functions within the PDA.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said functions include writing alphanumeric characters and symbols.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein there is defined a plane and within the plane there are defined key regions corresponding to keys of a keyboard and wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into codes corresponding to said key regions.

8. The device of claim 2 wherein said stationary module is attachable to the PDA.

9. The device of claim 2 wherein said processor or any part thereof is mounted within said movable module.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein said movable module is not connected to said stationary module or to the PDA.

11. The device of claim 2 wherein said movable module is formed as a stylus, said reference point being at or near the tip of said stylus.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the range of positions that may be input, along each of the axes, substantially exceeds any dimension of said stationary module.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the range of positions that may be input, along each of the axes, substantially exceeds any dimension of said display screen.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein—

said stationary module includes at least three sources that emit electromagnetic radiation, each source emitting the radiation at frequencies of less than 100 KHz.; and

said movable module includes at least one sensor, operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein said processor is further operative to process said electrical signals into tracking information.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into coordinates for positioning a cursor within the display on the screen of the PDA.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein said position information is utilized to effect drawing functions within the PDA.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said functions include writing alphanumeric characters and symbols.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein there is defined a plane, having any orientation, and within the plane there are defined regions corresponding to keys of a keyboard and wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into codes corresponding to said regions.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into a signal signifying key operation.

22. The device of claim 14 wherein said stationary module is attachable to the PDA.

23. The device of claim 14 wherein said processor or any part thereof is mounted within said movable module.

24. The device of claim 14 wherein said movable module is not connected to said stationary module or to the PDA.

25. The device of claim 14 wherein said movable module is formed as a stylus, said reference point being at or near the tip of said stylus.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the range of position values along each of the axes that may be represented by the respective digital streams substantially exceeds any dimension of said stationary module.

28. The device of claim 26 wherein—

said stationary module includes at least three sources that emit electromagnetic radiation, each source emitting the radiation at frequencies of less than 100 KHz.; and

said movable module includes at least one sensor, operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation.

29. The device of claim 26 wherein said streams of values are usable in controlling parameters of a virtual object generated within the PDA.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein said parameters are related to position and orientation of said virtual object in corresponding analogy to said streams of values.

31. The device of claim 29 wherein said virtual object is generated within a game.

32. The device of claim 26 wherein said stationary module is attachable to the PDA.

33. The device of claim 26 wherein said processor or any part thereof is mounted within said movable module.

34. The device of claim 26 wherein said movable module is not connected to said stationary module or to the PDA.

36. The device of claim 35 wherein said processor is operative to process said electrical signals in three stages—

first processing said electrical signals into position values along at least two orthogonal axes relative to said stationary module, secondly converting said position values into coordinate values in the plane of the marked external surface and thirdly converting said coordinate values into said code.

37. The device of claim 36 wherein said at least two orthogonal axes is at least three orthogonal axes and said conversions can be carried out for any orientation of the marked external surface with respect to said stationary module.

38. The device of claim 37 wherein said processor is further operative—

during the second stage of processing, to convert said position values also into a distance value along a direction normal to the marked external surface and

during the third stage of processing, to convert said distance value into a binary proximity indication, which signifies touching the surface.

39. The device of claim 35 wherein one of said movable parts is formed as a stylus and the respective reference point is near the tip of the stylus.

40. The device of claim 35 wherein any of said movable parts is formed as an attachment to a finger.

14. An input device, cooperative with a personal digital assistant (PDA) that includes a display screen, for inputting into the PDA the positions of a movable reference point in terms of at least three dimensions so as to control variables in a program operating in the PDA and/or positions of an image element on the display screen, the device comprising:

a stationary module, communicative with the PDA;

a movable module, in relation to which the reference point is defined and which is operative to generate electrical signals that are related to the position of the reference point; and

a processor, operative to process said electrical signals into position information.

wherein the range of positions that may be input, along each of the axes, substantially exceeds any dimension of said stationary module.

26. An input device, cooperative with a PDA that includes a display screen, the device comprising a stationary modules communicative with the PDA, a movable module and a processor, wherein—

said movable module has a reference point and is operative to generate electrical signals that are related to the position of said reference point and to the orientation of said movable module, and

said processor is operative to process said electrical signals into at least four corresponding digital streams of values, to be fed into the PDA so as to control variables in a program operating in the PDA, each stream representing, respectively, one of the six variables associated with said movable module, which are the position of said reference point along three orthogonal axes and the orientation of said movable module about three independent axes.

35. An input device, for enabling a user of a PDA to key thereinto symbols of a keyboard by touching, or nearing, corresponding marked key regions on any surface external to the PDA, the device comprising:

a stationary part, communicative with the PDA and emitting electromagnetic radiation;

at least one movable part, each having a reference point and being operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation; and

a processor, operative to process said electrical signals into any code that corresponds to a symbol of the keyboard whenever the reference point of any of said movable parts is near, or within, a respective key region.

41. A personal digital assistant (PDA) comprising a display screen and an input device for inputting into the PDA the positions of a movable reference point in terms of at least two dimensions, so as to control variables in a program operating in the PDA and/or positions of an image element on the display screen, the input device including:

a stationary module, communicative with the PDA and emitting electromagnetic radiation, and

a movable module, in relation to which the reference point is defined and which is receptive to said radiation;

wherein the positions that may be input are at substantial distance from the display screen.

42. The PDA of claim 41 wherein—

said stationary module includes at least two sources that emit said radiation, each source emitting the radiation at frequencies of less than 100 KHz.;

said movable module includes at least one sensor, operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation; and

the device further comprises a processor, operative to process said electrical signals into position information.

43. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said processor is further operative to process said electrical signals into tracking information.

44. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into coordinates for positioning a cursor within the display on the screen of the PDA.

45. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said position information is utilized to effect drawing functions within the PDA.

46. The PDA of claim 45 wherein said functions include writing alphanumeric characters and symbols.

47. The PDA of claim 42 wherein there is defined a plane and within the plane there are defined regions corresponding to keys of a keyboard and wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into codes corresponding to said regions.

48. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said stationary module is attachable to the PDA.

49. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said stationary module is separate from the PDA.

50. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said processor or any part thereof is mounted within said movable module.

51. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said movable module is not connected to said stationary module or to the PDA.

52. The PDA of claim 42 wherein said movable module is formed as a stylus, said reference point being at or near the tip of said stylus.

53. The PDA of claim 41 wherein the range of positions that may be input, along each of the axes, substantially exceeds any dimension of said stationary module.

54. The PDA of claim 41 wherein the range of positions that may be input, along each of the axes, substantially exceeds any dimension of said display screen.

55. A PDA comprising a display screen and an input device, for inputting into the PDA the position of a movable reference point in terms of at least three dimensions so as to control variables in a program operating in the PDA and/or positions of an image element on the display screen, the input device including:

a stationary module;

a movable module, in relation to which the reference point is defined and which is operative to generate electrical signals that are related to the position of the reference point; and

a processor, operative to process said electrical signals into position information;

wherein the range of positions that may be input, along each of the axes, substantially exceeds any dimension of said stationary module.

56. The PDA of claim 55 wherein—

said stationary module includes at least three sources that emit electromagnetic radiation, each source emitting the radiation at frequencies of less than 100 KHz.; and

said movable module includes at least one sensor, operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation.

57. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said processor is further operative to process said electrical signals into tracking information.

58. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into coordinates for positioning a cursor within the display on the screen of the PDA.

59. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said position information is utilized to effect drawing functions within the PDA.

60. The PDA of claim 59 wherein said functions include writing alphanumeric characters and symbols.

61. The PDA of claim 55 wherein there is defined a plane, having any orientation, and within the plane there are defined regions corresponding to keys of a keyboard and wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into codes corresponding to said regions.

62. The PDA of claim 61 wherein said processor is further operative to convert said position information into a signal signifying key operation.

63. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said stationary module is attachable to the PDA.

64. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said stationary module is separate from the PDA.

65. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said processor or any part thereof is mounted within said movable module.

66. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said movable module is not connected to said stationary module or to the PDA.

67. The PDA of claim 55 wherein said movable module is formed as a stylus, said reference point being at or near the tip of said stylus.

69. The PDA of claim 68 wherein the range of position values along each of the axes that may be represented by the respective digital streams of values substantially exceeds any dimension of said stationary module.

70. The PDA of claim 68 wherein—

said stationary module includes at least three sources that emit electromagnetic radiation, each source emitting the radiation at frequencies of less than 100 KHz.; and

said movable module includes at least one sensor, operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation.

71. The PDA of claim 68 wherein said streams of values are usable in controlling parameters of a virtual object generated within the PDA.

72. The PDA of claim 71 wherein said parameters are related to position and orientation of said virtual object in corresponding analogy to said streams of values.

73. The PDA of claim 71 wherein said virtual object is generated within a game.

74. The PDA of claim 68 wherein said stationary module is attachable to the PDA.

75. The PDA of claim 68 wherein said stationary module is separate from the PDA.

76. The PDA of claim 68 wherein said processor or any part thereof is mounted within said movable module.

77. The PDA of claim 68 wherein said movable module is not connected to said stationary module or to the PDA.

79. The PDA of claim 78 wherein said processor is operative to process said electrical signals in three stages—

first processing said electrical signals into position values along at least two orthogonal axes relative to said stationary module, secondly converting said position values into coordinate values in the plane of the marked external surface and thirdly converting said coordinate values into said code.

80. The PDA of claim 79 wherein said at least two orthogonal axes is at least three orthogonal axes and said conversions can be carried out for any orientation of the marked external surface with respect to said stationary module.

81. The PDA of claim 80 wherein said processor is further operative—

during the second stage of processing, to convert said position values also into a distance value along a direction normal to the marked external surface and

during the third stage of processing, to convert said distance value into a binary proximity indication, which signifies touching the surface.

82. The PDA of claim 78 wherein one of said movable parts is formed as a stylus and the respective reference point is near the tip of the stylus.

83. The PDA of claim 78 wherein any of said movable parts is formed as an attachment to a finger.

84. The PDA of claim 78 further comprising a sheet or a panel, which is unfoldable or attachable, not in close proximity to said display screen, and has key regions marked thereon and wherein said input device is cooperative with said sheet or panel to enable a user of the PDA to key thereinto symbols of a keyboard corresponding to said key regions.

68. A PDA comprising a display screen and an input device, the input device including a stationary module, a movable module and a processor;

wherein—

said movable module has a reference point and is operative to generate electrical signals that are related to the position of said reference point and to the orientation of said movable module, and

said processor is operative to process said electrical signals into at least four corresponding digital streams of values, to be fed into the PDA so as to control variables in a program operating in the PDA, each stream representing, respectively, one of the six variables associated with said movable module, which are the position of said reference point along three orthogonal axes and the orientation of said movable module about three independent axes.

78. A PDA comprising a display screen and an input device, for enabling a user of the PDA to key thereinto symbols of a keyboard by touching, or nearly touching, corresponding marked key regions on any surface, the input device including:

a stationary part, communicative with the PDA and emitting electromagnetic radiation;

at least one movable part, each having a reference point and being operative to receive said radiation and to generate electrical signals in response to the reception of said radiation; and

a processor, operative to process said electrical signals into any code that corresponds to a symbol of the keyboard whenever the reference point of any of said movable parts is near, or within, a respective key region.

85. A method for enabling a user of a PDA to key thereinto symbols of a keyboard by touching, or nearing, corresponding marked key regions on any surface external to the PDA, the method comprising:

(i) providing an input device that includes at least one movable part, each movable part having a reference point, the device being operative to generate digital values that represent the position of each of said reference points along at least two orthogonal axes;

(ii) for any key region within which any of said reference points is positioned, converting the resultant digital values into a code signifying the corresponding key;

(iii) feeding the code obtained in step (ii) into the PDA;

(iv) feeding the code obtained in step (iii) into any program operative within the PDA.

86. The method of claim 85 wherein—

said input device further includes a stationary part that emits radiation from a plurality of regions thereon,

each of said movable parts is operative to receive said radiation from all of said regions and to generate reception signals accordingly and

said input device is operative to generate said digital values by processing said reception signals.

87. The method of claim 85 wherein the external surface, on which key regions are marked, is separate from the PDA, the method further comprising:

(iii) providing at least two positioning marks on the external surface;

(iv) running a surface positioning procedure, whereby any of said reference points is placed at each of said marks and the corresponding resultant digital values are noted.

88. The method of claim 85 wherein one of said movable part is formed as a stylus, said reference point being at or near the tip of said stylus.

89. The method of claim 85 wherein any of said movable parts is formed as an attachment to a finger.

90. The method of claim 89 wherein said input device is operative to generate digital values that represent at least the position of each of said reference points along three orthogonal axes and wherein step (ii) includes

(a) converting said digital values into keyboard values, which are values along coordinates within the marked external surface and into proximity values, which are values along a coordinate normal to that surface;

and

(b) converting said keyboard values into a code signifying the key; and

further comprising;

(v) converting said proximity values into an indication of the proximity of the respective reference point from the surface.

91. The method of claim 85, wherein steps (i) and (ii) are carried out within said input device.

92. The method of claim 85, wherein steps (iii) and (iv) are carried out within the PDA.