Input apparatus for a computer system

• US 20050219201A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Watling
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Watling
• Inventors: Watling, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,542,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 4/00 Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body operating or control means for prostheses A61F2/48, A61F2/68
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to an input apparatus for a computer system which includes a pointer device operable by a user, a symbol display system adapted to display a plurality of symbols to a user, and on or more pointer selection sensors adapted to sense the selection of one or more symbols by the pointer device. The symbol display system is adapted to display a plurality of input symbols and at least one commit symbol, whereby selection of a commit symbol by the pointer device will cause the last input symbol selected to be supplied by an associated computer system as input. The invention may be particularly suitable for use by members of the disabled and/or aged community.

Claims

1. An input apparatus for a computer system which includes

a pointer device operable by a user, and

a symbol display system adapted to display a plurality of symbols to a user, and

one or more pointer selection sensors adapted to sense the selection of one or more symbols by the pointer device,

where the symbol display system is adapted to display a plurality of input symbols and at least one commit symbol,

whereby selection of a commit symbol by the pointer device will cause the last input symbol selected to be supplied by an associated computer system as input.

2. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer device is adapted to emit a beam of electro-magnetic radiation.

3. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer device is employed by a user to select symbols displayed by the symbol display system.

4. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer device is operated by a user to place a visual cursor over a displayed symbol which is to be selected by said user.

5. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the directing of the beam of electro-magnetic radiation emitted from the pointer device onto a symbol displayed by the symbol display system provides the user with a visual indication confirming that said beam has been trained onto said symbol.

6. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer device is adapted to emit a laser beam to select a symbol.

7. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer device is adapted to emit an infra-red beam to select a symbol.

8. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer device includes a mounting system.

9. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the mounting system is adapted to be removably attached to the body of a user.

10. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the mounting system is adapted to enable the pointer device to be mounted on head apparel or a set of glass frames worn by a user.

11. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer device is configured as a hand held element.

12. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the hand held element is formed as a standard computer mouse.

13. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the symbol display system is formed as or incorporates at least one substantially flat surface which displays graphics representing symbols.

14. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the symbol display system is formed from or incorporates as a liquid crystal display unit.

15. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the symbol display system is adapted to display a plurality of input symbols in at least one array.

16. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said at least one array of input symbols defines at least one circuit.

17. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein at least one circuit of input symbols is arranged in a substantially elliptical or circular arrangement.

18. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the symbol display system is adapted to display said at least one commit symbol at substantially the centre of the focus of the input symbols.

19. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one commit symbol is displayed in an area outside of that defined by the input symbols.

20. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one commit symbol is displayed in an area inside of that defined by the input symbols.

21. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said at least one surface of the symbol display system displays at least three distinct substantially circular arrays of input symbols.

22. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said at least one surface of the symbol display system incorporates light emitting diodes.

23. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one screen cursor input symbol is displayed by the symbol display system.

24. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the screen cursor input symbols represent movement commands for a cursor on a display screen.

25. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input symbols are provided as graphical icons adapted to represent a command or sequence of commands adapted to be supplied by an associated computer system as input.

26. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input symbols displayed by the symbol display system are standard keyboard characters.

27. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pointer selection sensor incorporates components adapted to provide a user with a visual cue that a particular symbol has been selected.

28. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which is adapted to emulate the functions of a standard keyboard, mouse or other input device associated with a computer system.

29. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which is formed as a plug-in component to a standard keyboard and/or mouse configuration associated with a computer system.

30. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which is adapted to send input signals to a computer system using protocols employed by standard keyboards and/or mice.

31. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the symbol display system is encased within a waterproof or airtight housing.

32. An input apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes screen pointer information.

33. An input apparatus substantially as described above with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples.