Rapid input device

• US 20050270274A1
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Speedscript, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Speedscript, Ltd.
• Inventors: Bachmann, Raphael
• Application Number:
  US10/530,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20050270274A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• 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 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

The invention relates to a rapid input device comprising at least one input means, at least on input-capture unit and a computer. The input means defines at least one point by means of the spacial position thereof and the co-ordinates thereof are converted into electric signals in the at least one input capture unit and form at least one amount of data during a period of time from the points and the input thereof. The input capture unit is connected to the computer. Said computer is provided with means for processing the at least one amount of data. The input capture unit is connected to the computer in a wireless manner or by means of a cable. Said rapid input device is mobile and compact. The invention also relates to a method for operating said device and the uses thereof in pad devices, general computer work and rehabilitation.

Claims

1. Rapid input device, comprising at least one input means at least one input acquisition unit and a computer wherein at least one input means by virtue of its position in terms of space defines at least one point whose coordinates are converted into electrical signals in at least one input acquisition unit and, over the passage of time, form at least one data quantity from the points and thus the input, and wherein at least one input acquisition unit is connected with the computer and means are provided in the computer for data processing of at least one data quantity.

2. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the connection of the input acquisition unit to the computer is accomplished in a wireless manner or via a cable.

3. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein input elements are provided for input in eight directions, whereby the input elements are located in one stroke level.

4. Rapid input device according to claim 3, wherein gradual input elements are provided perpendicularly to the stroke level.

5. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input is provided in a gradual manner as a function of a stroke length.

6. Rapid input device according to claim 3, wherein input elements are provided in eight directions, whereby one of the eight directions is associated with each vowel.

7. Rapid input device according to claim 3, wherein input elements are provided in eight directions, whereby one of the eight directions is associated with up to eight selected consonants.

8. Rapid input device according to claim 3, wherein input elements are provided in eight directions, whereby one of the eight directions is associated with a blank tap.

9. Rapid input device according to claim 3, wherein an unlimited combination of input elements are provided in eight directions for rapid input.

10. Rapid input device according to claim 3, wherein input elements are provided in eight directions and their combinations, whereby functions of a computer are associated with each of these eight directions or their combinations.

11. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein input elements are provided in at least nine directions and their combinations, whereby functions of a computer are associated with each of these nine directions or their combinations.

12. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein input elements are provided in an X/Y field of the input surface of the input acquisition unit for execution, whereby X/Y coordinates—

to each of which a function is associated—

correspond to the execution position.

13. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions are the dimensioning and shifting of menu windows and the zooming and scrolling in menu windows.

14. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions involve the canceling and restoration of inputs.

15. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions for screen adjustments are as follows:

BRIGHTER, DARKER, REDDER, GREENER, BLUER.

16. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions are:

COPY, PASTE, CUT, CLEAR, CURSOR UP, CURSOR DOWN, CURSOR LEFT, CURSOR RIGHT, CONTROL, ALT, ALT GR, FUNCTION, OPTION, ESCAPE, OPEN, CLOSE, SHIFT, RETURN, DELETE, F1 to F12;

for windows;

MINIMIZING, MAXIMIZING, RESTORING, CLOSING and for dialog windows;

YES, NO, ABORT, CHANGE.

17. Rapid input device according to claim 10 wherein the functions are first executed ready when they are closed with a blank tap.

18. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions in a player and recorder unit involve:

PLAY, PAUSE, STOP, RECORD, FORWARD, BACKWARD, NEXT TRACK, PREVIOUS TRACK, FIRST TRACK, LAST TRACK and VOLUME.

19. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions involve PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, HOME, END, INSERT, SHIFT, BACKSPACE, RETURN, DELETE;

flush left, flush right, centered, grouped style, tabulator.

20. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions for color parts are as follows:

black, white, transparent, red/magenta, blue/cyano, yellow/yellow;

for object;

line, solidity, text;

rotating around each axis, nearer, farther; and

for lines;

type, thick, thin, normal, thicker, thinner.

21. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions are the attributes of a sound data file and that the functions are provided for their processing.

22. Rapid input device according to claim 10, wherein the functions are provided for the match-up of data files for the purpose of processing attributes.

23. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input can be influenced by muscular movements.

24. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one point has coordinates.

25. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is at least an object, preferably at least a stylus whose tip defines at least one point.

26. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is at least a finger that defines at least one point.

27. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is at least a finger or a set of fingers and an object, preferably a stylus, whose tip defines the point.

28. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means are the fingers of a hand, a nose or a toe, which define at least one point.

29. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is a finger provided with a thimble, whereby the tip of the thimble defines the point.

30. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is an object, preferably a stylus, and a connecting part whereby the latter is connected mechanically with the input acquisition unit and defines the point.

31. Rapid input device according to claim 30, wherein the input acquisition unit has at least two lever arms, which are movably connected with each other by at least two joints containing a total of at least three protractors, whereby one of them is housed in a platform in which the particular position of point of the connecting part is acquired.

32. Rapid input device according to claim 31, wherein of at least the two joints one of them permits movements around an axis, while the other one permits movements around two axes, as a result of which, point can assume every position within a hemisphere that is clamped on by the sum of the lengths of the lever arms.

33. Rapid input device according to claim 31, wherein electric motors are provided for the joints of the input acquisition unit via which the joints are driven, as a result of which, there is or there results a “

force feedback”

function.

34. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input acquisition unit is present in a manner integrated in the input means and is equipped with at least three accelerometers that are provided to determine the coordinates of point.

35. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input acquisition unit has a dynamometer that is mounted in a fixed manner in the input surface wherein the dynamometer has a shaft with guide part attached thereupon, and wherein a stylus is provided as input means whose tip is moved in the guide part as a result of which, these movements are provided to determine the coordinates of a point.

36. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input acquisition unit has at least one dynamometer that is mounted in a fixed manner on the input surface wherein at least one dynamometer has a shaft with additional guide part that is attached thereupon, and wherein at least one finger is provided as input means whose tip rests on the additional guide part as a result of which the movements of at least one finger are provided to determine the coordinates of point.

37. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input acquisition unit has a dynamometer and at least one key and wherein, as input means there are provided at least one finger or a finger and an object, preferably a stylus, whereby the movements of the input means are provided to determine the coordinates of at least one point.

38. Rapid input device according to claim 35, wherein the dynamometer is made in the form of a mini-joystick.

39. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input acquisition unit has at least two cameras preferably infrared cameras, and wherein a finger is provided as input means, whereby the movements of the finger are provided to determine the coordinates of point.

40. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input acquisition unit has at least three ultrasound receiver modules and wherein as input means there is provided an object, preferably a stylus with an integrated ultrasound transmitter module, whereby the movements of the input means are provided to determine the coordinates of point.

41. Rapid input device according to claim 25, wherein the object, preferably a stylus, is provided for the guidance of hand, arm, mouth or foot.

42. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one point displays coordinates.

43. Rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is at least an eye, whereby the latter'"'"'s pupil defines the point.

44. In combination the rapid input device according to claim 1 with a writing unit, in particular, a rapid writing unit.

45. In combination the rapid input device according to claim 1 in a rehabilitation system.

46. In combination the rapid input device according to claim 1 with a computer.

47. In combination the rapid input device according to claim 1 and an electronic musical instrument.

48. In combination the rapid input device according to claim 1 and an electronic drawing unit.

49. In combination the rapid input device according to claim 1 as a universal input device and a system.

50. Process for the operation of a rapid input device according to claim 1, wherein coordinates of at least one point are generated with at least one input means in at least one input acquisition unit wherein the coordinates are converted into electrical signals in the input acquisition unit wherein at least one data quantity is formed by the electrical signals over the passage of time, which is transmitted to the computer in a wireless manner or via a cable connection, and wherein the data quantity is processed in computer with the data processing means and is kept available for the output means.

51. Process according to claim 50, wherein with an object, preferably a stylus, or with at least one finger as input means, the input takes place via at least one key via at least one dynamometer via at least three protractors, via at least three accelerometers via a touch-sensitive input surface and/or via at least one ultrasound transmitter module, whereby coordinates of at least one point are generated in at least input acquisition unit.

52. Process according to claim 50, wherein the position of the pupils is acquired by one or two cameras as input acquisition unit in the form of an image using one eye or both eyes as input means, whereby coordinates of at least one point