INPUT DEVICE

• US 20140055346A1
• Filed: 12/29/2011
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensirion AG (Sensirion Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Sensirion AG (Sensirion Holding AG)
• Inventors: Rupprecht, Robert, Wuest, Andrea, Gerner, Pascal, Boni, Dominic
• Granted Patent: US 9,176,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

An input device for triggering a function of an electronic device comprises a humidity sensor (12), and a control unit (11). The control unit (11) analyzes a humidity signal (RH) supplied by the humidity sensor (12) and provides a trigger signal (C) subject to the analysis of the humidity signal (RH) for triggering the function of the electronic device (3). In such way, the function of the electronic device can simply be controlled by blowing at the input device (1).

Claims

1. Input device for triggering a function of an electronic device, comprising

a humidity sensor, and

a control unit for analyzing a humidity signal is supplied by the humidity sensor and for providing a trigger signal subject to the analysis of the humidity signal for triggering the function of the electronic device.

2. Input device according to claim 1,

wherein the humidity sensor is provided for receiving an exhalation air flow of a user, and

wherein the control unit is adapted for providing the trigger signal subject to a characteristic of the humidity signal over time.

3. Input device according to claim 1,

wherein the control unit is adapted for providing the trigger signal subject to a change of the humidity signal within a time interval.

4. Input device according to claim 1,

comprising another sensor responsive to an exhalation air flow which other sensor is different from a humidity sensor, and

wherein the control unit is adapted for analyzing a sensor signal supplied by the other sensor and for providing the trigger signal subject to both the analysis of the humidity signal and the analysis of the sensor signal.

5. Input device according to claim 4,

wherein the control unit is adapted for providing the trigger signal if one or more of an increase of the humidity signal exceeds a threshold within a time interval and an increase of the sensor signal exceeds another threshold within a time interval.

6. Input device according to claim 4,

wherein the control unit is adapted for setting a value of the threshold subject to one or more previously measured values of the humidity signal.

7. Input device according to claim 16,

wherein the other sensor is one of:

a temperature sensor,

an airflow sensor, and

a pressure sensor.

8. Input device according to claim 1,

wherein the control unit is adapted for assigning the function to the trigger signal out of a set of functions subject to a characteristic of the humidity signal over time.

9. Input device according to claim 8,

wherein the control unit is adapted for assigning a first function to the trigger signal out of a set of functions if an increase of the humidity signal exceeds a threshold within a time interval and if after a decrease following the increase no new increase is monitored in the humidity signal within a given time window,

wherein the control unit is adapted for assigning a second function to the trigger signal out of the set of functions if an increase of the humidity signal exceeds a threshold within a time interval and if after a decrease following the increase a new increase is monitored in the humidity signal within the given time window.

10. Input device according to claim 1,

comprising a casing with an opening for exposing a sensitive element of the humidity sensor to an environment of the casing.

11. Input device according to claim 1,

wherein the humidity sensor is arranged separate from the control unit, and

wherein a wireless link is provided for enabling the humidity sensor to transmit the humidity signal to the control unit.

12. Input device according to claim 1,

wherein the control unit is adapted for providing a trigger signal for triggering one or more of:

accepting or denying a call,

a page up or page down operation,

confirming or denying an operation,

releasing a photo to be taken,

switching on or off a function,

opening or closing an application,

opening or closing a window on a screen,

opening or closing a menu on a screen.

13. Electronic device, comprising an input device according to claim 1,

wherein the electronic device is one of:

a mobile phone,

a handheld computer,

an electronic reader,

a tablet computer,

a game controller,

a pointing device,

a photo or video camera,

a computer peripheral.

16. Input device according to claim 1,

wherein the control unit is adapted for providing the trigger a subject to an increase of the humidity signal exceeding a threshold within a time interval.

14. Method for triggering a function of an electronic device, comprising the steps of

analyzing a humidity signal supplied by a humidity sensor, and

triggering the function of the electronic device subject to the analysis of the humidity signal.

15. Computer program product,

comprising a computer readable storage medium having computer program code means embodied therewith for implementing a method according to claim 14 when executed on a processing unit.