Man machine interfaces for entering data into a computer
First Claim
1. A method for entering data to a computer or data storage device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) generating, via an input on a front surface of an extensive material having thickness separating the front surface from a back surface of said material, a temporary disturbance or distortion on said back surface;
(b) electro-optically forming an image of at least a substantial portion of said back surface onto an electro-optical imaging means, said image including an image of said temporary disturbance or distortion of said back surface;
(c) determining from said image of said back surface at least one characteristic of said input;
(d) generating at least one data entry signal representative of the determined characteristic of said input; and
(e) entering said data signal to said computer or data storage device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical method and apparatus for computer input, most typically man-machine interfaces, particularly of the class known as "touch screens" and "digitizers," are based on surface distortion imaging, i.e., magnified optical imaging of a surface temporarily distorted by the input data of interest such as a finger, pencil point, key impact, projectile, etc. Typically, the surface (or material) distorted or disturbed, is extensive, that is large relative to the size of the distortion(s). This imaging allows 3 dimensional displacement X, Y, Z and vector inputs, low cost, high speed, tactile feedback, and an ability to be used on any size or type of surface or screen, from small tablet sized data entry devices to wall murals and beyond, with essentially the same hardware configurations.
367 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for entering data to a computer or data storage device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating, via an input on a front surface of an extensive material having thickness separating the front surface from a back surface of said material, a temporary disturbance or distortion on said back surface; (b) electro-optically forming an image of at least a substantial portion of said back surface onto an electro-optical imaging means, said image including an image of said temporary disturbance or distortion of said back surface; (c) determining from said image of said back surface at least one characteristic of said input; (d) generating at least one data entry signal representative of the determined characteristic of said input; and (e) entering said data signal to said computer or data storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. Apparatus for entering data to a computer or a data storage device, comprising:
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(a) a video monitor having an extensive video display screen for viewing video images, said screen having a front surface and a back surface; (b) means for generating, via an input on said front surface, a temporary disturbance or distortion on said back surface of said screen; (c) image-forming means for electro-optically forming thereon an image of at least a substantial portion of said back surface, said image including an image of said temporary disturbance or distortion of said back surface; (d) determining means for determining from said image of said back surface at least one characteristic of said input and generating at least one data entry signal representative of the determined characteristic of said input; and (f) means for entering said data entry signal to said computer or data storage device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. An interactive video system comprising;
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(a) a plurality of targets connectable to a user; (b) detector means for monitoring the location and motion of said targets and for outputting target data based on the monitored location and motion of said targets; (c) a user activity processor for receiving said target data and for outputting user data; (d) a video monitor having an extensive display screen for displaying video images, said screen having a front surface and a back surface; (e) means for generating, via an input on said front surface of said screen, a temporary disturbance or distortion on said back surface; (f) image-forming means for electro-optically forming thereon an image of at least a substantial portion of said back surface of said screen, said image including an image of said temporary disturbance or distortion of said back surface; (g) determining means for determining from said image of said back surface at least one characteristic of said input and generating at least one data entry signal representative of the determined characteristic of said input; (h) means for entering said data entry signal into a control processor; and (i) a control processor for receiving said data entry signal and said user data, and for providing an output in accordance with said data entry signal and said user data. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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Specification