Data input device

• US 20040108990A1
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VKB, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VKB, Inc.
• Inventors: Levy, Amiram, Sharon, Yuval, Maor, Yaniv, Naimi, Eyal, Lieberman, Klony, Tsachi, Mattan, Turm, Amichai, Arnon, Boas
• Granted Patent: US 7,242,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36156 Keyboard as a drawer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04109 FTIR in optical digitiser, i.e. touch detection by frustrating the total internal reflection within an optical waveguide due to changes of optical properties or deformation at the touch location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0426 tracking fingers with respect to a virtual keyboard projected or printed on the surface virtual keyboards on touch screens G06F3/04886
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1041 PIN input keyboard gets new key allocation at each use
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/34 Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/101 for graphical creation, edition or control of musical data or parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/161 with 2D or x/y surface coordinates sensing graphical user interface or touchscreen input G10H2220/091; microtonal keyboard G10H2210/401
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/221 Keyboards, i.e. configuration of several keys or key-like input devices relative to one another details of individual keys or key-like devices G10H2220/265; continuous keyboards or keyboards implementing specific musical scales, e.g. quartertone G10H2210/395; switch matrix keyboards, e.g. on guitar necks G10H2220/295
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/305 using a light beam to detect key, pedal or note actuation light beams in general G10H2220/411
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/455 Camera input, e.g. analyzing pictures from a video camera and using the analysis results as control data
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9631 using a light source as part of the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9638 using a light guide
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96046 Key-pad combined with display, back-lit

Abstract

A data input device and method including an illuminator (106) operative to illuminate at least one engagement plane (102) by directing light along the at least one engagement plane, a two-dimensional imaging sensor (112) viewing the at least one engagement plane from a location outside the at least one engagement plane for sensing light from the illuminator (106) scattered by engagement of a data entry object (110) with the at least one engagement plane and a data entry processor receiving an output from the two-dimensional imaging sensor (112) and providing a data input to utilization circuitry.

Claims