Ergonomic customizeable user/computer interface devices

• US 5,481,265 A
• Filed: 05/07/1992
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: David C. Russell
• Inventors: Russell, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/879,374
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/21, 341/23, 345/156-158, 345/169, 345/172, 364/706, 364/709.05, 364/709.1, 340/825.19, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.56
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 4/00 Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body operating or control means for prostheses A61F2/48, A61F2/68
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• 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 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• 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 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

A ergonomic customizeable user/computer interface system for wireless computer control. A hand-attachable user interface device transmits control information upon activation of switches on the interface device. A base interface device receives the transmissions, decodes the information and provides control signals to the computer. The interface system allows for security authorization control and multiple computer or LAN operations with each user interface device. Greater functionality is provided by the use of personality modules in the user interface device for different modes of operation.

Claims

1. A method of interfacing a user with a at least one computer, comprising the steps of:

operating a plurality of discrete switches on a user interface device with one of a single finger and a thumb, wherein said user interface device is attached to a different single finger of a user than the finger or thumb which operates the device, and wherein said switches are operable by at least one finger tip of such user;

generating computer control signals by performing said operating step;

transmitting said computer control signals through at least one communications channel;

receiving said transmitted computer control signals in a base computer interface device;

decoding said transmitted signals;

relaying said decoded signals to said at least one computer such that said at least one computer is controlled by said user interface device; and

controlling operation of said at least one computer in response to said decoded signals.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling a display connected to a respective one of said at least one computer in response to said decoded signals.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said operating switches are operable by a thumb tip.

18. The system of claim 3, wherein said at least one communications channel operates using acoustic transmissions.

4. A user and computer interface system, comprising:

an ergonomically shaped single finger attached interface means for generating computer control signals by at least one computer user, wherein said computer control signals are organized in message packets and wherein said interface means is operable by a single finger other than the finger to which said interface means is mounted;

coding means for encoding said message packets in a format suitable for transmission;

signal transmission means for transmitting said coded message packets, said signal transmission means including at least one communication channel;

detecting means for detecting said coded message packets;

conversion means for converting said coded message packets detected by said detecting means into computer processible signals; and

relaying means for relaying said computer processible signals into at least one computer, wherein said at least one computer is adapted for processing and responding to said computer processible signals;

said interface means including a plurality of discrete switches operable by one of the user'"'"'s finger and thumb.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said at least one computer includes a graphic user interface means for providing graphical information on a display means and for allowing said at least one user to select and control at least part of said graphical information.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising display means for displaying images generated by said at least one computer in response to said computer processible signals.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a keypad means for entering user passwords and for enabling at least one enterprise resource connected to said at least one computer wherein said enterprise resource is at lest one of said detecting means, said conversion means, said computer, or said user interface means.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein said interface means further comprises means for importing and exporting data.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein said interface means includes manually operable element means for generating said computer control signals by said at least one computer user.

12. The system of claim 4, wherein said detecting means further comprises:

kill signal transmission means for transmitting a kill signal to said interface means;

wherein said interface means includes a kill switch signal reception means for receiving said kill signal and for disabling said transmission means in response to said kill signal.

14. The system of claim 4, wherein said interface means includes attachment means for encircling and affixing said interface means onto the proximal or medial forefinger phalange of at least one such user to permit thumb tip operation.

15. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

an ergonomically shaped enclosure means for enclosing said interface means, said coding means and said signal transmission means, wherein said enclosure means includes;

at least one contoured surface adapted for receiving the proximal or medial phalange of the forefinger of such at least one user; and

attachment means for encircling and affixing said proximal or medial forefinger phalange of such at least one user into said at least one contoured surface.

16. The system of claim 4, wherein said at least one communications channel operates using electromagnetic radiation.

17. The system of claim 4, wherein said at least one communications channel operates using infrared transmissions.

19. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a power source for providing power to said interface means, including said coding means and said signal transmission means; and

charging means for charging said power source.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said detecting means, said conversion means and said charging means are provided in a single housing to form a base computer interface device.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein said power source means is a replaceable battery.

24. The system of claim 4, wherein said single finger attached interface means is capable of being attached to any one of a user'"'"'s index or forefinger.

10. The system of claim 10, wherein said interface means includes at least one switch means for initiating generation of different computer control signals by said at least one computer user based upon a position of said at least one switch means.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said interface means further includes mode switch means for changing said computer control signals based upon a position of said mode switch means and said at least one switch means.

21. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one switch means includes at least one thumb switch located so as to be easily operable by a user'"'"'s thumb tip when said interface means is attached to the user'"'"'s forefinger.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said at least one switch means further includes a second switch opposite said thumb switch so as to be easily operable by said user'"'"'s other forefinger.

13. The system of claim wherein said interface means includes a ROM cabinet means adapted to receive at least one removably insertable ROM personality module, from which said computer control signals are originated based upon information contained in said ROM personality module.

25. An electronic interface enclosure adapted for communication with at least one computer, comprising:

single finger attaching means to permit attachment of said electronic interface enclosure to a user'"'"'s single finger in order to permit desk-free and keyboard-free operability, wherein said electronic interface enclosure is operable by a finger other than the finger to which the electronic interface enclosure is attached, said electronic interface enclosure further comprising;

at least one contoured surface of said electronic interface enclosure for receiving a finger of said user'"'"'s hand;

signal generating means for generating signals wherein said signals include user initiated computer control signals;

coding means for encoding said user initiated computer control signals in the form of message packets;

signal transmission means for transmitting said message packets in a format suitable for transmission and detection; and

a plurality of discrete switches operable by one of the user'"'"'s finger and thumb.

26. The electronic interface enclosure of claim 25, wherein said finger attaching means further comprises at least one strap.

27. The electronic interface enclosure of claim 25, wherein said attaching means is attachable onto the proximal or medial forefinger phalange of at least one such user to permit thumb tip operation.

28. An electronic interface enclosure comprising:

single finger attaching means for attaching said electronic interface enclosure to a user'"'"'s single finger to permit desk-free and keyboard-free operability;

signal generating means for generating signals wherein said signals include user initiated computer control signals;

coding means for encoding said user initiated computer control signals in the form of message packets;

signal transmission means for transmitting said message packets in a format suitable for transmission and detection;

signal detection means for detecting externally originated coded signals, including a kill signal;

conversion means for converting said detected externally originated coded signals into microprocessor processible signals; and

responding means for responding to said microprocessor processible signals;

said signal generating means including a plurality of discrete switches operable by one of the user'"'"'s finger, other than said user'"'"'s single finger, and thumb.

29. The electronic interface enclosure of claim 28 wherein said single finger attaching means provides means for ambidextrous attachment of said electronic interface enclosure on to either of a user'"'"'s hands to permit left-handed operation, right-handed operation or operation by physically impaired users.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein said electronic enclosure further comprises at least one contoured surface and strapping means to permit secure attachment and comfortable fit of said electronic interface enclosure on to either a left-hand or a right-hand.

31. The system of claim 28 wherein said electronic enclosure further comprises at least two contoured surfaces and a bilaterally attachable strapping means for ensuring comfortable fit of said electronic interface enclosure on to either a left-hand or a right-hand.

32. The system of claim 28 wherein said electronic interface enclosure is adapted for control of a computer using a graphic user interface, and wherein said electronic interface enclosure permits operation of said computer using said graphic user interface.

33. The system of claim 28 further comprising:

a detector for detecting externally originated bursts of coded signals; and

responding means for responding to said externally originated signals, said detector further including conversion means for converting said externally originated bursts of coded signals received by said detector into microprocessor processible signals.

34. The system of claim 28 wherein said responding means further comprises a kill switch for disabling said electronic interface enclosure.

35. The system of claim 28 wherein said enclosure is adapted to receive different removably insertable ROM devices for implementing different fundamental operating environment means for remote control of at least one controllable computer.

36. The system of claim 28 wherein said enclosure is adapted to receive different removably insertable ROM devices for implementing different fundamental operating environments for remote control of machinery.

37. The system of claim 28 wherein said enclosure is adapted to transmit user initiated computer control signals from a computer user to a controllable computer and wherein said enclosure is further adapted to receive externally originated signals including a kill signal.

38. The system of claim 28 wherein said enclosure is adapted to transmit user initiated computer control signals from a computer user to a controllable computer and alternatively wherein said enclosure is further adapted to transmit user initiated remote control signals for remote control of machinery by means of different removably insertable ROM devices.

39. The electronic interface enclosure means of claim 28 wherein said enclosure is adapted to transmit user initiated computer control signals from a computer user to a controllable computer and wherein said enclosure is further adapted for receiving, processing, and responding to externally originated signals, and wherein said enclosure is further adapted to transmit user initiated remote control signals for remote control and operation of machinery and is yet further adapted for receiving, processing, and responding to said externally originated signals by means of different removably insertable ROM device means.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein said responding means includes a kill switch.

41. The electronic interface enclosure of claim 28 wherein said single finger attaching means is attached onto the proximal or medial forefinger phalange of at least one such user to permit thumb tip operation.