Data input device

• US 20060158435A1
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ERA Optoelectronics Inc.
• Original Assignee: ERA Optoelectronics Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Chih-Hsiung, Hung, Yi-Ping
• Granted Patent: US 8,274,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• 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

Abstract

A data input device comprises a microprocessor electrically connected to a camera device, a mirror installed in front of a lens of the camera device to allow the camera device to take a reference image reflected by the mirror. When the microprocessor detects that the camera device takes that a user touches the reference image in at least one input zone of an image, it then generates a corresponding input signal according to that the camera device takes that the user touches input images in at least one input zone. The data input device according to the present invention can more accurately and quickly generate input signal corresponding to an input operation processed by the user and saves the production cost more.

Claims

1. A data input device, comprising:

a image, having at least one input zone for a user to process an input operation;

a camera device, comprising at least one camera for respectively taking input images and a reference image that said user uses said image to process said input operation;

a mirror, installed in front of said camera device, a plane x′

z′

of a coordinate system of said camera taking said reference image being parallel to a xz plane on which said image is located so as to allow said camera device to take said reference image including said image reflected from said mirror and a space beyond said image to a preset distance;

a microprocessor, electrically connected to said camera device;

whereby, when said microprocessor detects that said camera device take that said user touches said reference image in said at least one input zone, identifies that said user is processing a data input operation and then generates a corresponding input signal according to an input image that said user touches said at least one input zone.

2. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said camera device comprises a first digital camera and second digital camera;

whereby, said first and said second digital cameras are respectively used to take said input image and said reference image.

3. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said camera device comprises a first digital camera, said mirror and another mirror are respectively installed in front of a lens of said first digital camera so as to allow said first digital camera to take input images used by a user to process an input operation and reflected by said mirror, and reference images.

4. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said images are projected out from an image generating device.

5. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said images are images on a picture.

6. The data input device according to claim 1, being further connected with an electronic product, wherein said images are images in a picture shown by a displayer of said electronic product.

7. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is electrically connected to a vibration sensor so as to detect vibrations generated from the touches of a user on said image;

that said user is processing an data input operation is then identified when said microprocessor detects signals emitted from said vibration sensor.

8. The data input device according to claim 4, wherein said microprocessor is electrically connected to a microphone so as to sense voices generated from a user touching said images;

that said user processes an data input operation is identified when said microprocessor detects signals emitted from said microphone.

9. The data input device according to claim 4, wherein said microprocessor, said camera device, said image generating device and said mirrors are combined into a tubular container.

10. The data input device according to claim 4, wherein said a beam with a specific color is projected out from said image generating device.

11. The data input device according to claim 4, further comprising a light source for providing necessary light illumination when said camera device is taking images.

12. The data input device according to claim 7, wherein said microprocessor, said camera device, said image generating device, said vibration sensor and said mirrors are combined into a tubular container.

13. The data input device according to claim 7, wherein said camera device comprises a first digital camera and second camera;

whereby, said first digital camera is used for taking said input images and said second digital is used for taking said reference image.

14. The data input device according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor, said camera device, said image generating device, said microphone and said mirrors are combined into a tubular container.

15. The data input device according to claim 10, wherein a lens of said camera device is combined with a light filtering mask having same color as light projected out from said image generating device.

16. The data input device according to claim 11, wherein a beam with a specific color is projected from said light source.

17. The data input device according to claim 13, wherein said second digital camera, said vibration sensor and said mirror are installed in a case;

a hole corresponding to said mirror is disposed in said case;

whereby, said mirror is used for reflecting an image that a user uses said image to process an input operation.

18. The data input device according to claim 13, wherein said microprocessor, said second digital camera and said vibration sensor are combined with a wireless transmission device;

whereby, said wireless transmission device is used for transmitting image and vibration signals wirelessly to said microprocessor.

19. The data input device according to claim 16, wherein a lens of said camera device is combined with a light filtering mask having same color as light emanated form said light source.