PROXIMITY SENSOR IN A COMPUTER INPUT DEVICE

• US 20020067334A1
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: SINCLAIR, MICHAEL J., HINCKLEY, KENNETH P., HOLMDAHL, TODD E., KANEKO, STEVEN T., BREWER, TIMOTHY T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,456,275 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04805 Virtual magnifying lens, i.e. window or frame movable on top of displayed information to enlarge it for better reading or selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

An input device for a computer system includes an exterior surface and a touch sensor located on the exterior surface. The touch sensor is adapted to generate an electrical signal when a user touches the touch sensor. The electrical signal contains touch information that is the same each time the user touches the touch sensor regardless of where the user'"'"'s touch occurs on the touch sensor. The input device also includes an input generator capable of generating input information sent to the computer system. The input information includes at least a depressible key'"'"'s state, a depressible button'"'"'s state, sound information, or movement information.

Claims

1. An input device for a computer system comprising:

an exterior surface;

an input generator capable of generating input information to be sent to the computer system comprising at least one of the following;

(1) a depressible key'"'"'s state, (2) a depressible button'"'"'s state, (3) sound information, or (4) movement information; and

a touch sensor located on the exterior surface of the input device and adapted to generate an electrical signal when a user touches the touch sensor, the electrical signal containing touch information that is the same each time the user touches the touch sensor regardless of where the user'"'"'s touch occurs on the touch sensor.

2. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a headset.

3. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a joystick.

4. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a game pad.

5. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a remote control for an Internet set-top system.

6. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a remote control for a television system.

7. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a keyboard.

8. The input device of claim 7 wherein the touch sensor is located on a key.

9. The input device of claim 7 wherein the touch sensor is located on a portion of an outer casing of the keyboard.

10. The input device of claim 9 wherein the touch sensor is located on the outer casing proximate a space bar key.

11. The keyboard of claim 9 wherein the touch sensor is located on the outer casing proximate at least one arrow key representing desired movement for a cursor on a display.

12. The input device of claim 9 wherein the touch sensor is located on the outer casing proximate a set of keys representing a numeric key pad.

13. The input device of claim 12 further comprising a touch sensor located on top of one of the keys in the set of keys representing a numeric key pad.

14. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a mouse.

15. The input device of claim 14 wherein a first touch sensor is located at least in part on a palm rest of the mouse.

16. The input device of claim 15 further comprising a wheel, a second touch sensor located in front of the wheel and a third touch sensor located behind the wheel.

17. The input device of claim 15 wherein the input generator comprises a first transducer located beneath a button on the mouse and the mouse further comprises a second touch sensor on the exterior of the button.

18. The input device of claim 17 wherein the first touch sensor extends along a side of the mouse.

19. The input device of claim 18 further comprising a second transducer located beneath a second button on the mouse and a third touch sensor on the exterior of the second button.

20. The input device of claim 15 further comprising a second touch sensor located on a first side of the mouse.

21. The input device of claim 20 wherein the input generator comprises a first input transducer located under a button on the mouse and the mouse further comprises a third touch sensor located on the exterior of the button.

22. The input device of claim 20 further comprising a third touch sensor located on a second side of the mouse opposite the first side of the mouse.

23. The input device of claim 14 wherein the input generator comprises a switch located beneath a button of the mouse and a touch sensor is located on the exterior of the button.

24. The input device of claim 23 further comprising multiple touch sensors on the exterior of the button.

25. The input device of claim 14 further comprising a depressible wheel wherein the input generator comprises a switch capable of indicating when the depressible wheel is depressed.

27. The input device of claim 26 wherein the plurality of touch sensors are arranged to generate electrical signals that indicate by which hand the user holds the input device.

28. The input device of claim 26 wherein the touch sensors are arranged to generate electrical signals that indicate if the user is touching two opposing sides of the input device.

29. The input device of claim 26 wherein the touch sensors are arranged to generate electrical signals that indicate if the user has stroked a portion of the input device.

30. The input device of claim 29 wherein the touch sensors are arranged in strips along the input device.

26. An input device for a computer system comprising:

an exterior surface;

an input generator capable of generating input information to be sent to the computer system comprising at least one of the following;

(1) a depressible key'"'"'s state, (2) a depressible button'"'"'s state, (3) sound information, or (4) movement information; and

a plurality of touch sensors located on the exterior surface of the input device and arranged to generate electrical signals indicative of the manner in which the user touches the input device.

31. An input device for a computer system, the input device comprising:

a transducer, capable of converting a force into an electrical signal; and

a touch sensor, capable of providing a touch signal decoupled from position data when the touch sensor is touched.

32. The input device of claim 31 wherein the touch sensor is a contact sensor.

33. The input device of claim 31 wherein the touch sensor is a proximity sensor.