Finger pointing apparatus

• US 8,373,656 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legend Holdings Limited, Lenovo (Beijing) Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hou, Zifeng, Yang, Jinping, Lv, Cheng
• Primary Examiner(s): CERULLO, LILIANA P
• Application Number:
  US12/192,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20090046059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 341 22- 34, 340/7.1, 3404071-4072, 178 1801- 1907
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars

Abstract

A finger pointing apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect the finger pointing apparatus includes at least one pressure sensor fixed on a hand for triggering a corresponding electromagnetic wave transmitter to transmit electromagnetic wave when pressure is produced by a finger contacting an external object. In another aspect, the finger pointing apparatus includes at least one electromagnetic wave transmitter connected with a corresponding pressure sensor and fixed on the hand for transmitting electromagnetic wave to all electromagnetic wave receivers when pressure is detected by the pressure sensor. In one aspect, the finger pointing apparatus includes at least two electromagnetic wave receivers arranged at fixed positions with respect to each other for receiving electromagnetic wave from the at least one electromagnetic wave transmitter and transmitting received electromagnetic wave to a microprocessor. In another aspect, the finger pointing apparatus includes a microprocessor for receiving electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave receivers, calculating coordinate values of a position pressed by the finger from electromagnetic wave from different electromagnetic wave receivers and outputting the coordinate values.

Claims

1. A finger pointing apparatus, comprising:

at least one pressure sensor fixed on a hand, configured to generate a trigger signal when pressure is produced by a finger contacting an external object, wherein the external object is any object which enables the pressure sensor to sense pressure;

at least one electromagnetic wave transmitter corresponding to the at least one pressure sensor, in data communication with the pressure sensor, fixed on the hand, and configured to transmit a first electromagnetic wave after receiving the trigger signal;

at least two electromagnetic wave receivers arranged at fixed positions with respect to each other, each receiver configured to receive the first electromagnetic wave and configured to generate a second electromagnetic wave and a third electromagnetic wave;

a microprocessor in data communication with the at least two electromagnetic wave receivers, configured to calculate coordinate values of a position pressed by the finger based on the second electromagnetic wave and the third electromagnetic wave and configured to output the coordinate values; and

a switch mounted on the finger pointing apparatus and configured to enable the finger pointing apparatus to switch between a mouse function and a keyboard function, wherein when the finger pointing apparatus is used as the mouse function, it controls movement of a cursor, and when the finger pointing apparatus is used as the keyboard function, it is used for inputting letters, numbers or symbols directly, wherein different positions of the finger in a certain region represent different letters, numbers or symbols, and the letters, numbers or symbols input on a screen are determined according to the position on which the finger presses.

2. A finger pointing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor and the at least one electromagnetic wave transmitter are fixed on the finger, and the at least two electromagnetic wave receivers are arranged on different positions on a palm.

3. A finger pointing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the at least one electromagnetic wave transmitters is used as the mouse function, and another of the at least one electromagnetic wave transmitters is used as the keyboard function.

4. A finger pointing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the keyboard function is used for inputting function keys.

5. A finger pointing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the function keys are represented by pressing, rotating or specific movement.

6. A finger pointing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two electromagnetic wave receivers are arranged in the hand'"'"'s palm, one of which is arranged on a left side of the palm, and the other is arranged symmetrically on a right side of the palm.

7. A finger pointing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor and corresponding electromagnetic wave transmitter are arranged on a middle finger.

8. A finger pointing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the finger pointing apparatus is used for inputting letters, numbers, symbols, character lines, and/or curves.