Data input device

• US 7,092,785 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gunilla Alsio
• Original Assignee: Gunilla Alsio, Lars Asplund
• Inventors: Alsio, Gunilla, Asplund, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US10/507,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179644A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 700/83, 700/7, 700/75.Z, 700/168, 700/84, 711/169, 345/158, 345/163, 710/73
• US Class Current: 700/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0335 Finger operated miniaturized mouse
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

The method is for entering data into a computer device. A wearable device (10) is attaching to a hand (212). The device (10) has a lower unit (14) placed in a palm (106) of the hand and an upper unit (16) placed behind knuckles (17) of the hand and connected to the lower unit (14). A sensor (202) has transducers (260, 262, 264, 266, 268) in operative engagement with fingers (250, 252, 254, 256, 258). The sensor (202) has a position sensor (210) associated with an electronic cursor or sign (211) displayed on a screen (213). The fingers and/or hand are moved to switch the sensor (202) from a keyboard mode to a mouse mode. The hand (212) is shifted in a first direction to move the cursor (211) in the first direction on the screen (213).

Claims

1. A method of entering and manipulating data in a computer device, comprising:

providing a wearable device and attaching the wearable device to a hand, the device having a lower unit placed in a palm of the hand and an upper unit placed behind knuckles of the hand and connected to the lower unit, the lower unit having a sensor attached thereto, the sensor having transducers in operative engagement with fingers, the sensor having a position sensor;

associating the position sensor with an electronic sign displayed on a screen;

moving one of the fingers without touching a surface to a mode change position;

the movement activating the position sensor to sense the mode change position;

the position sensor switching the sensor from a keyboard mode to a mouse mode; and

turning the hand in a first direction to electronically move a sign on a screen in the first direction without the hand traveling the first direction.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises moving the hand in a direction to move the sign in the same direction.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises moving one of the fingers to engage one of the transducers to reduce a distance between the finger and a base of the sensor.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises increasing a velocity of the sign by increasing an angle (alpha₁) relative to a line (l₁) parallel to a forearm.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the method further comprises slowing down and stopping the sign by moving the hand to a position that is substantially parallel to the line (l₁).

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises turning the hand in a downward position relative to a line (l₁) parallel to a forearm to move the sign in the downward position.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the method further comprises increasing a velocity of movement of the sign by increasing an angle (alpha₂) relative to the line (l₁).

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises measuring a rotational movement of the hand.

9. The method according to claim 3 wherein the method further comprises determining which command or letter is typed by analyzing a conductivity change of the transducers.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the method further comprises analyzing movements of all fingers when determining which command, letter or other symbol is typed.