Finger worn graphic interface device

• US 4,954,817 A
• Filed: 05/02/1988
• Issued: 09/04/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neil A. Levine
• Original Assignee: Neil A. Levine
• Inventors: Levine, Neil A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fatahiyar, M.
• Application Number:
  US07/189,185
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/707, 340/712, 178/18, 178/19, 273/148 B, 401/6, 341/20, 341/33, 341/34, 364/520
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

A miniaturized finger worn X-Y graphic interface device. A finger palette (20), a stylus ring (10) and an electronic module (32) exhibit benefits of both an X-Y degitizing tablet and a mouse without their inherent difficulties. A unique location and method facilitate use in an absolute or relative mode. When used in conjunction with a conventional keyboard, the computer-human interface becomes faster, more natural, efficient and intuitive.

Claims

1. A computer graphic interface which provides a user efficient access to both a computer keyboard and a graphic input means, comprising in combination:

a stylus worn on one finger of the user,

an input palette worn on another finger of the user, said palette includes sensing means to detect locational presence of said stylus on said palette, and

said sensing means operatively coupled to said computer whereby the user can manipulate said stylus and said palette while both hands of the user address the computer keyboard for speed and efficiency.

2. The interface device of claim 1 wherein said stylus is formed from an arcuate strip of material which circumscribes at least a portion of the user'"'"'s finger and is retained thereby,

and a protuberance projecting from an outer surface of said stylus arcuate material strip radially from the finger.

3. The interface device of claim 2 wherein said palette is formed from an arcuate strip of material which circumscribes at least a portion of another finger of the user,

a palette bottom plate having a lower surface fastened to said palette arcuate material strip and an upper surface supporting said sensing means,

and a palette top cover overlying said sensing means and fastened to said bottom plate.

4. The interface device of claim 3 wherein said top cover and said bottom plate are fastened by a lip downwardly extending from a periphery of said top cover,

an upwardly extending lip emanating from said bottom plate,

and a slot is provided in both said lips to provide strain relief for a cable passing therethrough and coupled to said sensing means.

5. The interface device of claim 4 wherein said sensing means is formed as layers of sensors, each said sensor layer differently sensitive to stimulus imparted by said stylus so that each said sensor communicates different information to the computer through said cable for subsequent processing.

6. The interface device of claim 5 wherein a first said layer transmits information of an "X" direction of a coordinate system,

a second said layer transmits information of a "Y" direction of the coordinate system,

and a third said layer transmits information with respect to a stylus pressure.

7. The interface device of claim 6 wherein a top said layer is formed from a membrane which transmits stylus pressure and protects lower said layers from contamination.

8. An interface device for facilitating multi-dimensional input from an operator to a processing receiver, comprising in combination:

a stylus means embodied as a protuberance carried on one finger of the operator, and

a palette, including means for sensing position information, having a surface for contact with said proturberance and carried on another finger of the operator,

said surface operatively coupled to the processing receiver to transmit said position information derived by contact between said stylus and said palette.

9. The interface device of claim 8 wherein said stylus is formed from an arcuate strip of material which circumscribes at least a portion of the user'"'"'s finger and is retained thereby,

and a protuberance projecting from an outer surface of said stylus arcuate material strip radially from the finger.

10. The interface device of claim 9 wherein said palette is formed from an arcuate strip of material which circumscribes at least a portion of another finger of the user,

a palette bottom plate having a lower surface fastened to said palette arcuate material strip and an upper surface supporting said sensing means,

and a palette top cover overlying said sensing means and fastened to said bottom plate.

11. The interface device of claim 10 wherein said top cover and said bottom plate are fastened by a lip downwardly extending from a periphery of said top cover, an upwardly extending lip emanating from said bottom plate,

and a slot is provided in both said lips to provide strain relief for a cable passing therethrough and coupled to said sensing means.

12. The interface device of claim 11 wherein said sensing means is formed as layers of sensors, each said sensor layer differently sensitive to stimulus imparted by said stylus so that each said sensor communicates different information to the processing receiver through said cable for subsequent processing.

13. The interface device of claim 12 wherein a first said layer transmits information of an "X" direction of a coordinate system,

a second said layer transmits information of a "Y" direction of the coordinate system,

and a third said layer transmits information with respect to a stylus pressure.

14. The interface device of claim 13 wherein a top said layer is formed from a membrane which transmits stylus pressure and protects lower said layers from contamination.

15. A finger operated X-Y graphic interface device comprising:

a sensing element with two dimensional X-Y position sensing and pressure sensing whereby electrical signals are produced indicating absolute X-Y position coordinates and pressure when activated,

a housing for containing, supporting and protecting said sensing element whereby said sensing element is mounted in said housing,

said housing being of small enough size and weight whereby said housing can be worn comfortably on a hand for long periods of time,

an attaching means for said housing whereby said housing can be attached to a finger such as the index finger,

an activating stylus for said sensing element,

said activating stylus containing a nub of proper construction whereby said nub when pressed against said sensing element will elicit said electrical signals from said sensing element,

a mounting means for said stylus whereby said stylus may be mounted on a finger such as the thumb,

said sensing element having means to sense said absolute position in each said dimension when activated by said activating stylus,

said sensing element having means to sense pressure whereby said pressure is greater than that required to sense said absolute position in said two dimensions.

16. A method for information transfer to a receiver the steps including:

wearing a digitizing means on one finger,

wearing a stylus means on another finger,

coupling the digitizing means to a receiver,

and activating said digitizing means with said stylus means, thereby effectuating locational information transferred to the receiver.

17. A method for inputting position information to a receiver utilized in a system which includes:

a tablet having a sensor for sensing position information designed to be worn on one finger,

a stylus designed to be worn on another finger,

and a receiver comprising the steps of;

manipulating the stylus on the tablet,

sensing the position of the stylus on the tablet,

and transmitting the sensed position to the receiver.

18. A method for information transfer to a receiver, said information obtained by manipulating two mutually opposable portions of a hand, the steps including:

attaching a digitizer to one opposable portion of the hand,

attaching a stylus to the other opposable portion of the hand,

coupling the digitizer to a receiver,

and contacting the digitizer with the stylus thereby effectuating information transferral to the receiver.

19. A hand operated X-Y graphic interface device comprising:

a sensing element with two dimensional X-Y position sensing and pressure sensing whereby electrical signals are produced indicating absolute X-Y position coordinates and pressure when activated,

a housing for containing, supporting and protecting said sensing element whereby said sensing element is mounted in said housing,

said housing being of small enough size and weight whereby said housing can be worn comfortably on one mutually opposable portion of a hand for long periods of time,

an attaching means for said housing whereby said housing can be attached to said opposable portion of the hand,

an activating stylus for said sensing element,

said activating stylus containing a nub of proper construction whereby said nub when pressed against said sensing element will elicit said electrical signals from said sensing element,

a mounting means for said stylus whereby said stylus may be mounted to another mutually opposable portion of the hand,

said sensing element having means to sense said absolute position in each said dimension when activated by said activating stylus,

said sensing element having means to sense pressure whereby said pressure is greater than that required to sense said absolute position in said two dimensions.