Input device using scanning sensors

• US 6,690,357 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Silvester, Kelan C., Richardson, John W., Shimoda, Marion H., Charlesworth, Thomas M., Dunton, Randy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Application Number:
  US09/187,903
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 345/157, 345/158, 345/156, 345/1.2, 345/2.1, 345/87, 382/291, 382/168, 382/118, 382/181, 364/188, 358/453, 353/22, 353/69, 353/28
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042

Abstract

An electronic device receives inputs using images of input devices and scanning sensors that detect user interaction with those images. For example, an image of a mouse may be projected and the user'"'"'s interaction with that image may be scanned using digital video cameras. These user movement images may then be analyzed to determine, for example, the direction, extent and rate of movement of the user to provide pointer position command signals. Similarly the user'"'"'s movement relative to a virtual keyboard image may be analyzed and converted into key actuation signals for responding to the actuated virtual keys.

Claims

1. A method for inputting data to an electronic device comprising:

projecting an image of a mouse on a surface; and

detecting user movements relative to said mouse image.

2. The method of claim 1 further including capturing a digital video image of the user in association with the projected image and inputting a representation of said image to the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 2 further including analyzing said digital video image including using pattern recognition software.

4. article comprising a medium for storing instructions that, if executed, enable a computer to:

project an image of a mouse on a surface; and

detect user movements relative to said image.

5. The article of claim 4 further including instructions that cause a computer to analyze a digital video stream using pattern recognition software.

6. A system comprising:

a processor;

a sensor coupled to said processor;

a projector coupled to said processor; and

a memory associated with said processor, said memory storing a computer program that enables a processor to project an image of a mouse using said projector and use said sensor to detect user movement relative to said image of said mouse.

7. The system of claim 6 including a plurality of digital video cameras.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said system is a computer system.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said memory includes pattern recognition software.