Apparatus and method for achieving optical data protection and intimacy for users of computer terminals

• US 5,677,700 A
• Filed: 12/22/1994
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henrik Schwalba, Henry Rudolph
• Original Assignee: Henrik Schwalba, Henry Rudolph
• Inventors: Schwalba, Henrik, Rudolph, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vail, Seth D.
• Application Number:
  US08/362,272
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 345/8, 345/9, 345/173, 345/175, 345/174, 345/7, 353/28, 359/17, 359/618, 359/629, 359/630, 359/18, 348/53, 348/156, 348/161, 178/18, 382/48, 382/131, 382/154, D16/225
• US Class Current: 345/7
• 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: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs

Abstract

Apparatus and method for achieving optical data protection and intimacy for users of computer terminals. The apparatus includes a searcher screen positioned in front of an optical system and adjustable to the user which communicates in a binocular manner with the user. A tactile contact surface with a sensor grid or raster arranged underneath is present below the searcher screen. A video camera is installed over the tactile contact surface, wherein finger movements of the user taking place on the tactile contact surface are copied by means of the video camera into a virtual image positioned on the searcher screen. The fingers, which are controlled by the user himself, are guided to particular positions of the virtual image, wherein given positions in a virtual image correspond to those on the tactile contact surface where the fingers are currently positioned, and the data input takes place via an associated sensor grid or raster by touching this position of the tactile contact surface.

Claims

1. Apparatus for achieving optical data protection and intimacy for users of computer terminals wherein hand movements produced by a user are observed, coordinated and positioned specifically for data input, said apparatus comprising a screen having an acoustic device and an optical system positioned in front of it, a touchscreen surface and a video camera, wherein positioned in front of the optical system there is a searcher screen configured such that the searcher screen communicates in a monocular or binocular manner with the opto-visual sense channels of the user, the searcher screen being further configured such that it is matchable and adjustable to each potential user, wherein the optical system comprises one or a plurality of convex lenses with an installation positioned in front of it having a concavely curved contrast filter sheet with the function of an optical grid or raster, wherein a microphone as well as a loudspeaker are associated with the optical system and take into account the position of mouth and ears of the human head and provide an additional interaction via the acoustic sense channel for interaction via the opto-visual sense channel;

wherein a tactile contact surface with associated sensor grid or raster is arranged under the searcher screen and is adjusted or is adjustable to a height suitable for the specific potential user, and wherein a video camera is arranged over the tactile contact surface.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tactile contact surface has dimensions corresponding to those of a conventional touchscreen.

3. Apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the signal input is recognized by means of an infrared grid, inductive fields, acoustic coordinates or a grid of mechanical keys.

4. Apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the surface of the tactile contact surface does not have to be rigid.

5. Apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operative actions of the user are conveyed to the searcher screen in an abstract or modified form.

6. Apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the screen display shows a graphic user interface of moving pictures, real or virtual people, objects or spaces.

7. Apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operative actions of the user are performed by means of a pen.

8. Apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the possibility of character and picture recognition exists for the writing which is input by the user.

9. Method for achieving optical data protection and intimacy for users of computer terminals, wherein hand movements produced by a user are observed, coordinated and positioned specifically for data input, wherein finger movements of a potential user taking place on a tactile contact surface are copied by means of a video camera into a virtual image positioned on a searcher screen, wherein the fingers, which are controlled by the user himself, are guided to particular positions of the virtual image, wherein the positions in the virtual image correspond to those on the tactile contact surface where the fingers are currently positioned, and the data input is performed by touching such a position of the tactile contact surface via a sensor grid or raster arranged underneath.