Multi-styli input device and method of implementation

• US 6,924,793 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2002
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Data Quill Limited
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Sharma, Manish
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US10/198,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20040012574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-179, 345180-183, 178 1801- 1907, 401 6- 8
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/046 by electromagnetic means

Abstract

A computer input system is disclosed that utilizes a glove-type multiple styli device that is mapped for operation based on their finger position. The input system can further include a digitizing tablet, such as one using MRAM cells.

Claims

1. An input system for use on a user'"'"'s hand, comprising:

a first stylus and a second stylus, the first stylus assigned to a first finger of the user'"'"'s hand and the second stylus assigned to a second finger of the user'"'"'s hand, each stylus capable of generating an output signal based on a user input action;

location control logic, coupled to the first stylus and the second stylus, to identify each stylus based on the finger position assigned on the user'"'"'s hand relative to the other fingers of the user'"'"'s hand; and

communications logic, coupled to the location control logic, to send the signals generated by the styli to a computer system.

2. The invention according to claim 1 further comprising a third stylus, assigned to a third finger of the user'"'"'s hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus based on its finger position.

3. The invention according to claim 2 further comprising a fourth stylus, assigned to a fourth finger of the user'"'"'s hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus based on its finger position.

4. The invention according to claim 3 further comprising a fifth stylus, assigned to a fifth finger of the user'"'"'s hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus based on its finger position.

5. The invention according to claim 1 further comprising a third stylus and fourth stylus, the third stylus assigned to a first finger of the user'"'"'s other hand and the fourth stylus assigned to a second finger of the user'"'"'s other hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus and fourth stylus based on its hand position and finger position.

6. A data input system comprising:

an input stylus for use on a user'"'"'s hand, the input stylus comprising a first stylus and a second stylus, the first stylus assigned to a first finger of the user'"'"'s hand and the second stylus assigned to a second finger of the user'"'"'s hand;

a digitizer tablet that detects movement of the first and second styli and converts the movement into signals for output; and

control logic, coupled to the first stylus and the second stylus, to identify each stylus based on the finger position assigned on the user'"'"'s hand relative to the other fingers of the user'"'"'s hand and to process the signals generated by the digitizer tablet.

7. The data input system according to claim 6 wherein the digitizer tablet comprises an MRAM-array based digitizer tablet.

8. The invention according to claim 6 further comprising a third stylus, assigned to a third finger of the user'"'"'s hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus based on its finger position.

9. The invention according to claim 8 further comprising a fourth stylus, assigned to a fourth finger of the user'"'"'s hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus based on its finger position.

10. The invention according to claim 9 further comprising a fifth stylus, assigned to a fifth finger of the user'"'"'s hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus based on its finger position.

11. The invention according to claim 6 further comprising a third stylus and fourth stylus, the third stylus assigned to a first finger of the user'"'"'s other hand and the fourth stylus assigned to a second finger of the user'"'"'s other hand and wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus and fourth stylus based on its hand position and finger position.

12. A digitizing input system for use by a user, comprising:

a first stylus and a second stylus, the first stylus assigned to a first finger of the user and the second stylus assigned to a second finger of the user, each stylus capable of generating an output signal based on a user input action;

location control logic, coupled to the first stylus and the second stylus, to identify each stylus based on the finger position assigned to the first and second styli and constrain operation of each stylus based on its position relative to the other stylus; and

communications logic, coupled to the location control logic, to send the signals generated by the styli to a computer system.

13. The invention according to claim 12 further comprising a third stylus, assigned to a third finger of the user wherein the location control logic identifies the third stylus based on its position relative to the first or second stylus.

14. The invention according to claim 13 further comprising a fourth stylus, assigned to a fourth finger of the user wherein the location control logic identifies the fourth stylus based on its position relative to the other styli.

15. The invention according to claim 14 further comprising a fifth stylus, assigned to a fifth finger of the user wherein the location control logic identifies the fifth stylus based on its finger position.

16. The invention according to claim 12 wherein the first stylus is on a first hand and the second stylus is on a second hand and the location control logic identifies which stylus is on which hand.

17. A data input system comprising:

an input device for use by a user, the input device comprising a first stylus and a second stylus, the first stylus assigned a first region of operation and the second stylus assigned to a second region of operation relative to the first stylus;

a digitizer tablet that detects movement of the first and second styli within their operating regions and converts the movement into signals for output; and

control logic, coupled to the first stylus and the second stylus, to identify each stylus based on it operating region relative to the action of the user and to process the signals generated by the digitizer tablet.

18. The data input system according to claim 17 wherein the digitizer tablet comprises an MRAM-array based digitizer tablet.

19. The invention according to claim 17 wherein the first stylus overlaps the operating region of the second stylus.

20. The invention according to claim 17 further comprising a display coupled to the digitizer tablet and coplanar therewith such that the styli interact with the display and digitizer tablet.

21. The invention according to claim 20 wherein the digitizer tablet is a touchpad screen.