INPUT DEVICE

• US 20120287041A1
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saint Louis University
• Original Assignee: Saint Louis University
• Inventors: Bucholz, Richard D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,872,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0335 Finger operated miniaturized mouse
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An input device for use in controlling medical equipment controlled by a mouse. The device includes an elastic finger cot having an interior sized and shaped for selectively receiving and retaining a user'"'"'s finger. The device has a light emitting diode for emitting a beam of light to illuminate a selected surface and a light sensor for sensing a light reflected from the selected surface to detect movement of the sensor and finger cot relative to the surface and producing a signal corresponding to the detected movement. The device includes a transmitter for receiving the signal from the light sensor corresponding to the detected movement and generating an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the light sensor signal for receipt by the medical equipment. A power supply connected to the diode, the sensor, and the transmitter provides power. The medical equipment views the input device as the mouse controlling the medical equipment.

Claims

1. An input device for use in controlling medical equipment controlled by a mouse comprising:

an elastic finger cot having an interior sized and shaped for selectively receiving and retaining a user'"'"'s finger;

a light emitting diode mounted on the finger cot for emitting a beam of light to illuminate a selected surface;

a light sensor mounted on the finger cot for sensing a light reflected from the selected surface to detect movement of the sensor and finger cot relative to the surface and producing a signal corresponding to the detected movement;

a transmitter mounted on the finger cot and operatively connected to the sensor for receiving the signal from the light sensor corresponding to the detected movement and generating an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the light sensor signal for receipt by the medical equipment; and

a power supply mounted on the finger cot and operatively connected to the diode, the sensor, and the transmitter for providing power thereto;

wherein the medical equipment views the input device as the mouse controlling the medical equipment.

2. An input device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer mounted on the cot for sensing changes in a speed of the finger cot and generating a signal in response to sensing changes in speed, said signal indicative of a selection wherein the medical equipment views the signal as a mouse click.

3. An input device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said transmitter is operatively connected to the accelerometer for receiving the signal from the accelerometer in response to the changes in speed and generating an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the accelerometer signal for receipt by the medical equipment.

4. An input device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said transmitter generates an electromagnetic signal when the accelerometer signal exceeds a predetermined limit.

5. An input device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a target for selective illumination by the light emitting diode and for providing a predetermined responsive light reflection uniquely sensible by the light sensor as indicating proximity of the finger cot to the target.

6. An input device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said finger cot is a first finger cot and said target is provided on a second finger cot sized and shaped for selectively receiving and retaining a user'"'"'s thumb.

7. An input device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the target comprises a predetermined pattern.

8. An input device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the target comprises a predetermined color.

9. An input device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic signal generated by the transmitter comprises radio frequency signals.

10. An input device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the transmitter uses a Bluetooth baseband protocol.

11. An input device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the power supply comprises a battery.