Infrared based computer input devices including keyboards and touch pads

• US 5,707,160 A
• Filed: 10/04/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James H. Bowen
• Original Assignee: James H. Bowen
• Inventors: Bowen, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KELLEY, STEVEN SHAUN
• Application Number:
  US08/725,923
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 345/157, 345/165, 345/166, 345/168, 345/175, 400/472
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3271 Power saving in keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 13/00 Teaching typing
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 13/04 Devices used in association with a real typewriter, teleprinter, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A keyboard where no finger pressure is needed to input data, that uses rows of emitters opposed by rows of detectors to detect a finger position, that is environmentally sealed, and inherently intrinsic safe. The keyboard has a mouse function so an operators finger can be tracked to position a cursor on a host display, and input normal keyboard functions. A sleep mode for a display or keyboard that slows down the scan rate and emitter intensity to increase emitter life. A split keyboard for each hand with an arm rest with an arm strap to attach the keyboard to an operators arm and a strap to attach the keyboard to the arm of a chair. A learning keyboard with a mode for QWERTY or other key pattern keyboards that the position of the operators fingers are tracked and supper imposed on a display, so the operator can see when their finger is over the correct keyboard indicia so correct data entry can be made without looking at the keyboard.

Claims

1. An infrared based touch pad for cursor movement and selection control on a computer display, comprising:

a base connectable to a computer terminal, said computer terminal presenting one or more data keys, said base including a unilocular area on a surface accessable by a finger of a computer operator;

a plurality of light transmitters and light sensors positioned about the periphery of said unilocular area for sensing the presence, absence, and position and movement of a finger of a computer operator in said unilocular area;

means, connected to said plurality of light transmitters and sensors for determining the presence, absence, and position and movement of a finger of a computer operator in said unilocular area; and

means for sending data signals from said base to a computer terminal which direct movement of a cursor on said computer terminal and selections made on said computer terminal, said data signals being indicative of

i) a position of a finger of a computer operator within said unilocular area,

ii) a direction of movement of said finger of said computer operator within said unilocular area, said direction of movement directing movement of a cursor on said computer terminal, and

iii) a selection of a data key of said one or more data keys made by withdrawing said finger of said computer operator from said unilocular area when said cursor is on said data key on said computer terminal.

2. The touch pad of claim 1 wherein said plurality of light transmitters and light sensors has an unequal number of light transmitters relative to said light sensors.

3. An infrared based touch pad for cursor movement and selection control on a computer display, comprising:

a base connectable to a computer terminal for inputting commands to said computer terminal, said base including a unilocular area on a surface accessable by a finger of a computer operator;

a plurality of light transmitters and light sensors positioned about the periphery of said unilocular area for sensing the presence, absence, position and movement of a finger of a computer operator in said unilocular area;

means connected to said plurality of light transmitters and light sensors for determining a position of a finger of a computer operator within said unilocular area and a direction of movement of said finger of said computer operator within said unilocular area;

means for sending data signals from said base to a computer terminal which direct position and movement of a cursor on said computer terminal and are indicative of a position of a finger of a computer operator within said unilocular area and a direction of movement of said finger of said computer operator within said unilocular area; and

input means, separate from said unilocular area, positioned on a surface of said base for entering selection commands on said computer terminal based on said position of said cursor on said computer terminal.

4. The touch pad of claim 3 wherein said plurality of light transmitters and light sensors has an unequal number of light transmitters relative to said light sensors.

5. An infrared based touch pad for cursor and selection control on computer display, comprising:

a base connectable to a computer terminal, said computer terminal presenting one or more data keys, said base including a unilocular area on a surface accessable by a finger of a computer operator;

a plurality of light transmitters and light sensors positioned about the periphery of said unilocular area for sensing the presence, absence, and position and movement of a finger of a computer operator in said unilocular area;

means, connected to said plurality of light transmitters and sensors for determining the presence, absence, and position and movement of a finger of a computer operator in said unilocular area; and

means for sending data signals from said base to a computer terminal which are indicative of

i) a position of a finger of a computer operator within said unilocular area, and

ii) a selection of a data key of said one or more data keys made by withdrawing said finger of said computer operator from said unilocular area when said cursor is on said data key on said computer terminal.

6. The touch pad of claim 5 wherein said plurality of light transmitters and light sensors has an unequal number of light transmitters relative to said light sensors.

7. An infrared based computer input device, comprising:

a base connectable to a computer terminal for inputting commands to said computer terminal, said base including a unilocular area on a surface accessable by a finger of a computer operator;

a plurality of light transmitters and light sensors positioned about the periphery of said unilocular area for sensing the presence, absence, and position of a finger of a computer operator in said unilocular area wherein the number of light transmitters relative to light sensors is less and at least one light transmitter is paired to emit light to two or more light sensors; and

means for sending data signals from said base to a computer terminal which direct movement of a cursor on said computer terminal and control selections made on said computer terminal.