Data input device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A data input device comprising:
- an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user;
a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being an optical position sensing device (PSD); and
a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data input device including an optically generated image of a data input device, the image including at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user, a sensor operative to sense the action performed on the at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to the action, and a processor in communication with the sensor operative to process the signals for performing an operation associated with the at least one input zone.
217 Citations
46 Claims
-
1. A data input device comprising:
-
an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user;
a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being an optical position sensing device (PSD); and
a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12)
-
-
10. A data input device comprising:
-
an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user;
a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being an acoustic sensor; and
a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
-
-
13. A method for data input comprising:
-
generating an optical image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user;
performing an action on said at least one input zone;
sensing the action performed on said at least one input zone, said sensing comprising;
detecting light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image; and
analyzing a reflection of said light to determine a spatial position of the object;
generating signals in response to said action; and
processing said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
optically generating an image of characters of a first language on keys of said keyboard;
selecting a second language different from said first language; and
optically generating an image of characters of said second language on keys of said keyboard.
-
-
18. The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is a holographic image.
-
19. The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of a monochromatic laser.
-
20. The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of multiple laser sources having different colors and wavelengths.
-
21. The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of a single laser source and using color and wavelength splitters to split light from said single laser source.
-
22. The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of differently polarized light beams.
-
23. The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of sensing comprises:
-
providing a light beam emanating from a light source;
detecting light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image, corresponding to said light beam; and
analyzing an angle of said light beam and a time for the beam to be reflected back from said object to a reference to determine a spatial position of the object.
-
-
24. The method according to claim 23 wherein said reference comprises an optically readable reference.
-
25. The method according to claim 24 wherein said optically readable reference comprises a tangible bar code strip.
-
26. The method according to claim 24 wherein said optically readable reference comprises an optically generated bar code strip.
-
27. The method according to claim 23 wherein said optical image of a data input device is generated by the same light beam whose reflection is used to determine the spatial position of the object.
-
28. The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of sensing comprises:
-
providing a non-visible-light beam emanating from a non-visible light source;
detecting an image of said non-visible light impinging upon an object within a silhouette of said image of the data input device; and
analyzing said image of said non-visible light to determine a spatial position of the object.
-
-
29. The method according to claim 28 wherein said non-visible light beam comprises an infrared beam and said image of said non-visible light comprises an infrared image of said object.
-
30. The method according to claim 13 and further comprising detecting light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image and preventing said image from impinging upon said object.
-
31. A method according to claim 13 and wherein said sensing also comprises providing a light beam emanating from a light source.
-
32. A method according to claim 31 and wherein said sensing also comprises analyzing an angle of said light beam to determine a spatial position of the object.
-
33. A method for data input comprising:
-
generating an optical image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user;
performing an action on said at least one input zone;
sensing the action performed on said at least one input zone, said sensing comprising;
providing a non-visible light beam emanating from a non-visible-light source;
detecting an image of said non-visible light impinging upon an object; and
analyzing said image of said non-visible light to determine a spatial position of the object;
generating signals in response to said action; and
processing said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
-
-
36. A data input device comprising:
-
an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user;
a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being operative to;
detect light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image; and
analyze a reflection of said light to determine a spatial position of the object; and
a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
-
Specification