Method and apparatus for input to electronic devices

• US 9,606,633 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2015
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John W. Downey
• Original Assignee: John W. Downey
• Inventors: Downey, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia, Prabodh M
• Application Number:
  US14/708,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20160328024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 715/773, 715/856, 455/456.1, 200/513
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0381 Multimodal input, i.e. interface arrangements enabling the user to issue commands by simultaneous use of input devices of different nature, e.g. voice plus gesture on digitizer
• 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 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/03 Sound
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/036 Return force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/052 Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9625 using a force resistance transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724

Abstract

The method and apparatus for input to electronic devices include a control circuit and a gyro module. The control circuit includes a microcontroller, where the microcontroller includes a digital bus, a receiver/transmitter module, a plurality of digital input pins, and an analog input pin. The gyro module is connected to the digital bus. The apparatus further includes a plurality of tactile switches connected to the digital pins. Further, a force sensitive resistor and a vibration motor interact with the control circuit. The force sensitive resistor is connected to the analog input pin of the microcontroller through a voltage divider, and the vibration motor is connected to the digital bus of the microcontroller through a motor controller. The apparatus also includes a communications antenna that is connected to the receiver/transmitter module of the microcontroller through a wireless module. A method includes various steps for inputting into an electronic device.

Claims

1. An input apparatus for electronic devices, comprising:

a control circuit including a gyro module, and a microcontroller having a digital bus, a receiver/transmitter module, a plurality of digital input pins, and an analog input pin;

a plurality of tactile switches in communication with the control circuit;

a force sensitive resistor in communication with the control circuit; and

a vibration motor in communication with the control circuit.

2. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 1, wherein the gyro module is connected to the digital bus of the microcontroller.

3. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 2, wherein the gyro module is a 3-axis MEMS gyro module.

4. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 1, wherein each said tactile switch is connected to two of the digital input pins of the microcontroller.

5. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage divider circuit, the force sensitive resistor being connected to the analog input pin of the microcontroller through the voltage divider circuit.

6. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 1, further comprising a motor controller, the vibration motor being connected to the digital bus of the microcontroller through the motor controller.

7. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 6, wherein the motor controller is a haptic motor controller.

8. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 1, wherein the input apparatus further comprises a communications antenna, the communications antenna being in communication with the microcontroller.

9. The input apparatus for electronic devices according to claim 8, further comprising a wireless module, the communications antenna being connected to the receiver/transmitter module of the microcontroller through the wireless module.

10. A method for inputting into an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

pressing a key on the electronic device to highlight a character;

holding the key to maintain engagement of the highlighted character;

moving the electronic device in a field of direction, each movement of the device in the field of direction corresponding to character selection such that the highlighted character continues to be highlighted or to a different character being highlighted; and

releasing the key to select the character;

wherein the field of direction includes forward movement, backwards movement, upward movement, downward movement, and rotation to the right and left of the electronic device.

11. A device for use in remotely inputting and controlling electronic equipment, the device consisting of;

a control circuit having;

a microcontroller;

a digital bus;

a transceiver module for receiving from and transmitting to any electronic equipment remotely;

a plurality of digital input pins; and

an analog input pin;

a gyro module coupled to the digital bus;

a plurality of tactile switches in communication with the control circuit, each one of the plurality of tactile switches is connected to at least two of the digital input pins;

a force sensitive resistor;

a voltage divider circuit;

wherein the force sensitive resistor is in communication with the analog input pin of the control circuit via the voltage divider; and

a vibration motor in communication with the control circuit;

a motor controller electrically disposed between the vibration motor and the digital bus of the microcontroller;

a wireless module being connected to the transceiver module of the microcontroller; and

a communications antenna, the communications antenna being in communication with the microcontroller through the wireless module.

12. The device for use in remotely inputting and controlling electronic equipment according to claim 11, wherein the gyro module is a 3-axis MEMS gyro module.

13. The device for use in remotely inputting and controlling electronic equipment according to claim 11, wherein the motor controller is a haptic motor controller.

14. The device for use in remotely inputting and controlling electronic equipment according to claim 11, wherein the electronic equipment includes smart devices.

15. The device for use in remotely inputting and controlling electronic equipment according to claim 11, wherein the electronic equipment is selected from the group consisting of smart TV remotes, smart mobile phones, tablets, desk top computers, laptop computers, game consoles, media streaming devices, smart glasses, home automation, hand scanners, smart wearables, two-way texters, handheld computers, and the like.