Data input device with image taking

• US 8,274,497 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ERA Optoelectronics Inc.
• Original Assignee: ERA Optoelectronics Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Chih-Hsiung, Hung, Yi-Ping
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Park, Sanghyuk
• Application Number:
  US11/224,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,568 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 340/539.1, 340/693.3, 340/426.35, 178/2.R
• US Class Current: 345/178
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0426 tracking fingers with respect to a virtual keyboard projected or printed on the surface virtual keyboards on touch screens G06F3/04886

Abstract

A data input device comprises a microprocessor electrically connected to a camera device, a mirror installed in front of a lens of the camera device to allow the camera device to take a reference image reflected by the mirror. When the microprocessor detects that the camera device takes that a user touches the reference image in at least one input zone of an image, it then generates a corresponding input signal according to that the camera device takes that the user touches input images in at least one input zone. The data input device according to the present invention can more accurately and quickly generate input signal corresponding to an input operation processed by the user and saves the production cost more.

Claims

1. A data input device comprising:

a basic image, which is projected on a projection face of an xz plane of an operational coordinate system, having at least one input zone for being processed an input operation;

a digital camera having a reference coordinate system with an x′

z′

plane parallel to said xz plane, and having a lens capable of taking an input image disposed on said input zone at the time of said input operation being processed and a reference image disposed on the same input zone corresponding to said xz plane respectively;

a microprocessor being electrically connected to said digital camera for detecting said input image and said reference image and generating an input signal corresponding to said input image if said detected reference image is an image showing said input zone being touched;

wherein a first mirror is installed in front of said lens to reflect said input image for said input image being taken by said digital camera, and a second mirror is installed in front of said lens to reflect said reference image onto an elevation within a preset short distance from said xz plane for said reference image being taken by said digital camera prior to said microprocessor is capable of detecting said reference image and generating said input signal;

the input image and the reference image are taken at two different angles;

each light path between source of input image and reference image and the digital camera is produced by single reflection of the first mirror and second mirror respectively;

wherein, the first and second mirrors are disposed at two different locations to reflect light beams in different directions to the same digital camera via different directions.

2. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said basic image is projected out from an image generating device.

3. The data input device according to claim 2, wherein said microprocessor is electrically connected to a microphone to sense if a voice generated from said basic image being at the time of said basic image being touched and identify said input operation is processed after the voice has been sensed.

4. The data input device according to claim 3, wherein said microprocessor, said digital camera, said image generating device, said microphone and said mirrors are arranged in a tubular container.

5. The data input device according to claim 2, wherein said microprocessor, said digital camera, said image generating device and said two mirrors are arranged in a tubular container.

6. The data input device according to claim 2, wherein a beam with a specific color is projected out from said image generating device.

7. The data input device according to claim 6, wherein the lens of said digital camera is combined with a light filtering mask, and said light filtering mask has the same color as the light projected out from said image generating device.

8. The data input device according to claim 2 further comprises a light source to provide a necessary light illumination when said digital camera takes said input image and said reference image.

9. The data input device according to claim 8, wherein a beam with a specific color is projected from said light source.

10. The data input device according to claim 9, wherein the lens of said digital camera is combined with a light filtering mask, and said light filtering mask has the same color as the light emanated from said light source.

11. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said basic image is projected onto a picture with three input zones.

12. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said basic image is projected onto a picture and shown by a displayer of an electronic product, which is connected to said microprocessor.

13. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is electrically connected to a vibration sensor to detect if a vibration is generated from said basic image at the time of said basic image being touched and identify said input operation is processed after the vibration has been detected.

14. The data input device according to claim 13, wherein said microprocessor, said digital camera, said image generating device, said vibration sensor and said mirrors are arranged in a tubular container.