Method for inputting data via the foot

• US 6,600,477 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Howell, Matthew G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLISH, ALECIA DIANE
• Application Number:
  US09/561,065
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/163, 345/165, 345/166, 345/168, 345/173, 345/174, 345/175
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for inputting information into an electronic device comprising the acts of orienting a sensing pad relative to an electronic device operator, sensing the relative location of a foot motion indicator controlled by the operator and translating the relative location of the foot motion indicator into electronic information. The method may further comprise displaying the electronic information on a screen. The act of sensing may be capacitive sensing, resistive sensing or optical sensing.

Claims

1. A method for inputting information into an electronic device comprising:

providing a sensing pad;

positioning a support assembly which is connected to the sensing pad in one of a plurality of positions so as to adjust the orientation of the sensing pad relative to the electronic device operator;

sensing in the sensing pad the location relative to the sensing pad of a contact element which is connected to a foot motion indicator that is positioned adjacent to and in a substantially fixed location with respect to a foot, and wherein the contact element and the foot motion indicator are moveable to a plurality of positions relative to the sensing pad and are controlled by the operator; and

translating the location of the contact element into electronic information for the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the electronic information on a screen.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of sensing comprises capacitive sensing.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of sensing comprises resistive sensing.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of sensing comprises optical sensing.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of sensing comprises proximity sensing.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of sensing comprises touch sensing.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the act of orienting a second sensing pad relative to the electronic device operator.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact element is electrically conductive.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact element comprises a downward facing half-sphere.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact element comprises a substantially pointed portion which contacts a surface of the sensing pad.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of positioning the support assembly comprises adjusting the angular orientation between a surface of the sensing pad and a plane upon which a base portion of the support assembly is positioned.

13. A method for inputting information into a digital computer, wherein the digital computer comprises a digital computer screen, the method comprising:

positioning a support assembly in one of a plurality of positions so as to adjust the orientation of a sensing pad connected thereto relative to an operator of the digital computer;

sensing in the sensing pad the location relative to the sensing pad of a foot motion indicator that is positioned adjacent to and in a substantially fixed location with respect to a foot, and that is moveable to a plurality of positions relative to the sensing pad;

translating the location of the foot motion indicator into computer screen information; and

displaying the computer screen information.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the act of sensing comprises capacitive sensing.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the act of sensing comprises resistive sensing.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the act of sensing comprises optical sensing.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the act of sensing comprises proximity sensing.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the act of sensing comprises touch sensing.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the act of positioning the support assembly comprises adjusting the angular orientation between a surface of the sensing pad and a plane upon which a base portion of the support assembly is positioned.

20. A method for inputting information into an electronic device comprising:

positioning the support assembly in one of a plurality of positions so as to adjust the orientation of the sensing pad relative to an electronic device operator;

providing a sensing pad having a support assembly connected thereto;

providing a foot motion indicator that is positioned adjacent to and in a substantially fixed location with respect to a foot, and that is moveable to a plurality of locations relative to the sensing pad;

positioning the foot motion indicator relative to the sensing pad;

sensing in the sensing pad the position of the foot motion indicator relative to the sensing pad;

translating the position of the foot motion indicator relative to the sensing pad into electronic information; and

providing the electronic information to the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of sensing comprises capacitive sensing.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of sensing comprises resistive sensing.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of sensing comprises optical sensing.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of sensing comprises proximity sensing.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of sensing comprises touch sensing.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of translating comprises digitally translating the position of the foot motion indicator relative to the sensing pad into electronic information.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of positioning comprises mechanically positioning the foot motion indicator relative to a sensing pad.

28. The method of claim 20 further comprising the acts of:

(a) providing a second foot motion indicator; and

(b) sensing the position of the second foot motion indicator relative to a second sensing pad.

29. The method of claim 20 further comprising inputting information into the electronic device with an actuator.

30. The method of claim 20 wherein the act of positioning the support assembly comprises adjusting the angular orientation between a surface of the sensing pad and a plane upon which a base portion of the support assembly is positioned.