U.S. patent application number 11/486865 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-17 for input device for control of computer software designed to assist persons of reduced visual acuity.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ryan Patrick Radecki. Invention is credited to Ryan Patrick Radecki.
Application Number | 20080012823 11/486865 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38948770 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080012823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Radecki; Ryan Patrick |
January 17, 2008 |
INPUT DEVICE FOR CONTROL OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST
PERSONS OF REDUCED VISUAL ACUITY
Abstract
An input device designed to allow persons of reduced visual
acuity to manipulate computer software providing magnification is
disclosed. The device attaches to a personal computer via standard
peripheral attachment, e.g., Universal Serial Bus. A single, large,
lighted button on the superior surface of the device allows the
activation and deactivation of computer software providing
magnification. A bezel beneath the button may be rotated to control
the level of magnification applied by the computer software
providing magnification.
Inventors: |
Radecki; Ryan Patrick;
(Columbus, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ryan Patrick Radecki
1805 Aschinger Blvd.
Columbus
OH
43212
US
|
Assignee: |
Ryan Patrick Radecki
Columbus
OH
|
Family ID: |
38948770 |
Appl. No.: |
11/486865 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20130101;
G06F 2203/04806 20130101; G06F 3/0362 20130101; G09B 21/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/156 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Claims
1. An input device attached to a personal computer via standard
peripheral attachment, e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), for the
control of software on the personal computer that magnifies the
content displayed on a monitor connected to the personal computer,
the input device essentially comprising: a weighted base, made of
heavy plastic or rubberized metal, that rests securely on a surface
nearby the personal computer; a circular bezel of approximately
one-and-a-half centimeters in height, made of solid plastic,
resting in the center of the weighted base, corrugated for
increased ability to grasp and turn with fingers, which has the
ability to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, in which rotation
in the clockwise direction signals the software on the personal
computer to increase the magnification of on-screen content, and
rotation in the counter-clockwise direction signals the software on
the personal computer to reduce the magnification of on-screen
content, and wherein the rotation of the bezel provides tactile and
audible feedback at discrete intervals of rotation; a dome-shaped
circular button, made of translucent plastic, centered over the
circular bezel, sized to fit comfortably in the human palm, which,
upon depression, sends a signal to the software on the personal
computer to activate or deactivate the magnification ability, as
appropriate; a spring assembly, which provides recoil to the
dome-shaped circular button; a light-emitting diode (LED), inside
the dome-shaped circular button, that is illuminated when the
device is connected to a personal computer, and is illuminated at
25% maximum brightness when the magnification software on the
personal computer is inactive, and is illuminated to 100% maximum
brightness when the magnification software on the personal computer
is active.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] No federal sponsorship is applicable to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to computer input devices.
Specifically, this invention relates to computer input devices for
the control of software assisting persons of low visual acuity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A regrettable consequence of the human aging process is the
gradual loss of photoreceptors in the retina of the eye. Also, a
number of pathologic processes affect the structures of the eye and
degrade their ability to transmit or detect light. These processes
reduce the useful vision of affected persons, and cannot be
corrected by or enhanced with typical refracting lenses found in
spectacles.
[0005] Contemporary solutions involve the enlargement of content
for affected persons. This involves magnifying lenses that attach
to spectacles, handheld magnifying instruments, and projection
screens that enlarge content. Additionally, for personal computers,
a small number of software products will increase the size of
on-screen content. Continuing efforts are being made to enhance the
functioning of persons of low visual acuity, particularly with
respect to the increasing presence of personal computing in daily
life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention relates to increasing the accessibility of
personal computers to persons of low-visual acuity. Specifically,
this invention relates to an input device designed to increase the
ease-of-use of computer software that magnifies on-screen
information.
[0007] There are a small number of products and mechanisms for the
magnification of content displayed on-screen for personal computer.
These products consist both of projection screens, and computer
software that enlarges content on the computer monitor. However,
these software products frequently require persons of normal vision
to configure and adjust them. This invention is designed for the
increasing cohort of persons requiring magnification of their
computer screen, and a simple mechanism with which to do so.
[0008] Additionally, these products require a certain amount of
familiarly with computers. The typical persons afflicted by
reduction in visual acuity would be better served by devices and
interfaces that are simply designed, and do not require normal
visual acuity to activate and deactivate, or make adjustments to
the magnification. This device is lit for ease in location, and has
a limited set of simple controls. The controls are designed to be
ideal for persons who may also possess comorbidities of aging, such
as arthritis. Visual, tactile, and audible feedback are also
incorporated into the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be readily understood by the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein reference numerals designate like structural elements, and
in which:
[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B show the device from a side elevation view,
with 1B showing a cross-sectional view.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows the device from a top view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to FIGS. 1-2. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1A is a side elevation showing the exterior device. The
obvious components on this view are the large, superiorly located
button 1, the rotating bezel 2, and the sturdy, weighted base 3.
The button 1 is constructed of hard, translucent plastic, and
comfortably fills the palm of an average size hand. The bezel 2 is
immediately below it, and does not obstruct a short range of
downward motion by the button.
[0014] FIG. 1B is a side elevation showing a cross-section of the
device. The button 1 can be seen protruding through the center of
the bezel 2 and its position maintained by a guiding structure 7. A
spring assembly 6 provides recoil to return the button to its
upward position following its depression. A sensor 5 detects the
depression of the button via completion of a circuit. The
electronic circuit board 4 coordinates signals from rotation of the
bezel and depression of the button with the personal computer (not
pictured). The outputs include the depression of the button 1,
which would activate and deactivate the magnifying software on the
personal computer, and the detection of rotation of the bezel,
which would modify the degree of magnification provided by the
magnifying software on the personal computer. The light-emitting
diode 8 for illumination of the translucent button is seen in the
center of the button. The diode 8 is illuminated to 25% of maximum
brightness when the device is connected to a computer and the
magnification is deactivated, and the diode 8 is illuminated to
100% of maximum brightness when the device is connected to a
computer and the magnification is activated.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view clearly showing the bezel 2 and the
indentations for grasping the bezel. The bezel 2 rotated clockwise
and counterclockwise, providing tactile and audible feedback as it
clicks into interval positions as it rotates. Also shown on this
figure is the connection site 9 where an appropriate modality for
connection to a personal computer is located. At present time, the
most appropriate method of connection is Universal Serial Bus
(USB).
[0016] The simplicity of this device, along with its tactile,
visual, and audible feedback, are its strengths. Its use allows a
person of low visual acuity to activate and manipulate the degree
of magnification of on-screen content easily, regardless of
familiarity with computer software. This device's large, easily
manipulated controls are ideal for persons who may not be
comfortable, or capable of, manipulating smaller, or more
complicated, objects.
[0017] It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of
implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention.
It is therefore intended that the appended claims be interpreted as
including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as
fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
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