U.S. patent application number 12/389290 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for apparatus and method for inputting information.
This patent application is currently assigned to Iron Will Creations. Inc.. Invention is credited to Brent Michael Baier, Leslie Howard Messmer.
Application Number | 20090153369 12/389290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38227862 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090153369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baier; Brent Michael ; et
al. |
June 18, 2009 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING INFORMATION
Abstract
An apparatus for inputting information is disclosed. The
apparatus includes a first sensor operably configured to be mounted
on a user's thumb and a plurality of sensors operably configured to
be mounted on the user's fingers, such that the user can move the
user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between the first
sensor and at least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus
also includes an interface in communication with the first sensor
and the plurality of sensors, the interface being operably
configured to associate contact between the first sensor and
sensors of the plurality of sensors with respective data items and
to produce a data signal representing the data item. Frequently
used data items are associated with sensors of the plurality of
sensors located in positions on the user's fingers that permit
ergonomically favourable conditions when causing the contact.
Inventors: |
Baier; Brent Michael;
(Lloydminster, CA) ; Messmer; Leslie Howard;
(Lloydminster, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
200 PACIFIC BUILDING, 520 SW YAMHILL STREET
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
Iron Will Creations. Inc.
Lloydminster
AB
|
Family ID: |
38227862 |
Appl. No.: |
12/389290 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11326029 |
Jan 4, 2006 |
7498956 |
|
|
12389290 |
|
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
341/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2009/0221 20130101;
H01H 2215/052 20130101; H01H 13/84 20130101; H01H 2215/03 20130101;
G06F 3/0233 20130101; H01H 2300/04 20130101; H01H 2207/048
20130101; G06F 3/014 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
341/20 |
International
Class: |
H03K 17/94 20060101
H03K017/94 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for inputting information, the apparatus
comprising: a first sensor operably configured to be mounted on a
user's thumb; a plurality of sensors operably configured to be
mounted on the user's fingers, such that the user can move the
user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between said first
sensor and at least one of said plurality of sensors; and an
interface in communication with said first sensor and said
plurality of sensors, said interface being operably configured to
associate contact between said first sensor and sensors of said
plurality of sensors with respective data items and to produce a
data signal representing said data item, such that frequently used
data items are associated with sensors of said plurality of sensors
located in positions on the user's fingers that permit
ergonomically favorable conditions when causing said contact.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a holder operably
configured to fit over the user's thumb and fingers and wherein
said first sensor and said plurality of sensors are disposed on
said holder.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said holder comprises a shaped
covering and wherein said shaped covering comprises a glove.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of sensors are
disposed on said holder such that at least some of said plurality
of sensors are positioned on distal phalanges of the user's fingers
when said holder is fitted on the user's hand, said frequently used
data items being associated with ones of said plurality of sensors
positioned on said distal phalanges.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plurality of sensors are
disposed on said holder such that at least some of said plurality
of sensors are positioned on middle phalanges of the user's ring
and middle fingers when said holder is fitted on the user's hand,
said frequently used data items being further associated with ones
of said plurality of sensors positioned on said middle phalanges of
the user's ring and middle fingers.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plurality of sensors are
disposed on said holder such that at least some of said plurality
of sensors are positioned on distal and middle phalanges on a side
of the user's index finger when said holder is fitted on the user's
hand, said frequently used data items being further associated with
ones of said plurality of sensors positioned on said distal and
middle phalanges on said side of the user's index finger.
7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of sensors are
disposed on said holder such that at least one of said plurality of
sensors is positioned proximate a tip of a distal phalange of one
of the user's fingers when said holder is fitted on the user's hand
and wherein at least one data item from the group consisting of
"e", "a", "n", "t", "o", and "i" is associated with said at least
one of said plurality of sensors.
8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of sensors are
disposed on said holder such that at least one of said plurality of
sensors is positioned on a palm side of the user's hand and spaced
inwardly from a tip of a distal phalange when said holder is fitted
on the user's hand and wherein at least one data item from the
group consisting of "s", "u", "p", "c", "h", "l", "r", and "w" is
associated with said at least one of said plurality of sensors.
9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first sensor is disposed
on said holder such that said first sensor is positioned proximate
a tip of the user's thumb when said holder is fitted on the user's
hand.
10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of sensors are
disposed on said holder such that at least one of said plurality of
sensors is positioned on a side of one of the user's fingers when
said holder is fitted on the user's hand.
11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of sensors
comprises a first plurality of sensors, and further comprising a
second plurality of sensors disposed on said holder in closely
spaced relation such that said second plurality of sensors are
positioned along a side of one of the user's fingers when said
holder is fitted on the user's hand, said interface being operably
configured to produce a repeating data signal in response to
successive contact between adjacent ones of said second plurality
of sensors and said first sensor.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mode sensor
operably configured to produce a mode selection signal for
reception by said interface and wherein said interface is
configured to associate data items in a set of data items with
respective ones of said plurality of sensors in response to
receiving said mode selection signal.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second sensor
operably configured to be mounted on a palm side of a user's thumb
in spaced apart relation to said first sensor, said interface being
in communication with said second sensor and being operably
configured to associate contact between said second sensor and
sensors of said plurality of sensors with respective data items and
to produce a data signal representing said data items.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interface is operably
configured to associate data items frequently occurring in a
sequence in words associated with a particular language with
adjacently positioned ones of said plurality of sensors.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said particular language
comprises the English language and wherein said data items
frequently occurring in said sequence comprise at least one of the
sequences of items "es", "er", "th", "ed", and "ng".
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interface is operably
configured to associate contact between said first sensor and two
adjacently positioned ones of said plurality of sensors with a data
item and to produce a data signal representing said data item.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said data item comprises at
least one of a "shift" data item, a "ctrl" data item, an "alt" data
item, and a data item that causes an action to be performed.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interface is operably
configured to produce said data signal such that said data signal
represents an ordered sequence of data items in response to
contacting an assigned one of said plurality of sensors a number of
times in succession, and then contacting sensors associated with
said ordered sequence of data items.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interface is operably
configured to produce a signal for driving a transducer to generate
one of tactile feedback and audible feedback to the user, said
feedback confirming that a data-item has been sensed.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a display in
communication with said interface, said display being operably
configured to display information to the user.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a transmitter for
transmitting said data signal to an electronic device.
22. An apparatus for inputting information, the apparatus
comprising: a first sensor operably configured to be mounted on a
user's thumb; a plurality of sensors operably configured to be
mounted on the user's fingers such that the user can move the
user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between said first
sensor and at least one of said plurality of sensors; means for
associating contact between said first sensor and said plurality of
sensors with respective data items such that frequently used data
items are associated with sensors of said plurality of sensors
located in positions on said user's fingers that permit
ergonomically favorable conditions when causing said contact; and
means for producing a data signal representing said data item.
23. In a system comprising a first sensor operably configured to be
mounted on a user's thumb and a plurality of sensors operably
configured to be mounted on the user's fingers such that the user
can move the user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between
said first sensor and at least one of said plurality of sensors, a
method of producing a signal representing contact between said
first sensor and at least one of said plurality of sensors, the
method comprising: associating contact between said first sensor
and said plurality of sensors with respective data items such that
frequently used data items are associated with sensors of said
plurality of sensors located in positions on said user's fingers
that permit ergonomically favorable conditions when causing said
contact; and producing a data signal representing said data item.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/326,029, filed on Jan. 4, 2006, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to inputting information,
and more particularly to an input apparatus and method for
inputting information into an electronic device.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in mobile
computing. Devices such as cellular telephones, audio and video
devices, and many other electronic devices have become increasingly
complex, while at the same being miniaturised for mobile use.
Miniaturisation causes a problem for information entry into the
devices, since such devices typically have very small keys that are
generally difficult to operate. Attempts to address this problem
have resulted in cellular telephones being provided with voice
recognition capability and computing devices being provided with
handwriting recognition capabilities. However, such devices are
still awkward to use and user input is slow.
[0006] Some manufacturers have made portable keyboards available
for use with their mobile devices. However such portable keyboards
generally need to be supported on a surface and may leave the user
feeling cramped for space. Some users may even develop health
problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome due to using such keyboards
in un-ergonomic positions.
[0007] There remains a need for methods and apparatus for inputting
of information into electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is
provided an apparatus for inputting information. The apparatus
includes a first sensor operably configured to be mounted on a
user's thumb and a plurality of sensors operably configured to be
mounted on the user's fingers, such that the user can move the
user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between the first
sensor and at least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus
also includes an interface in communication with the first sensor
and the plurality of sensors, the interface being operably
configured to associate contact between the first sensor and
sensors of the plurality of sensors with respective data items and
to produce a data signal representing the data item. Frequently
used data items are associated with sensors of the plurality of
sensors located in positions on the user's fingers that permit
ergonomically favourable conditions when causing the contact.
[0009] The frequently used data items may be associated with
sensors of the plurality of sensors such that when the first sensor
and ones of the sensors are in contact, the user's thumb and/or
fingers are in ergonomically favourable positions.
[0010] The frequently used data items may be associated with
sensors of the plurality of sensors, such that when moving the
user's thumb and/or fingers to cause the contact, the user's thumb
and/or fingers follow an ergonomically favourable path.
[0011] The frequently used data items may be associated with ones
of the plurality of sensors, such that causing the contact includes
a minimum of movement of the user's thumb and/or fingers when
inputting a plurality of frequently used data items.
[0012] The interface may be operably configured to be mounted on
the user's hand.
[0013] The apparatus may include a holder operably configured to
fit over the user's thumb and fingers and the first sensor and the
plurality of sensors may be disposed on the holder.
[0014] The interface may be mounted on the holder.
[0015] The holder may include a shaped covering.
[0016] The shaped covering may include a glove.
[0017] The plurality of sensors may be disposed on the holder such
that at least some of the plurality of sensors are positioned on
distal phalanges of the user's fingers when the holder is fitted on
the user's hand, the frequently used data items being associated
with ones of the plurality of sensors positioned on the distal
phalanges.
[0018] The plurality of sensors may be disposed on the holder such
that at least some of the plurality of sensors are positioned on
middle phalanges of the user's ring and middle fingers when the
holder is fitted on the user's hand, the frequently used data items
being further associated with ones of the plurality of sensors
positioned on the middle phalanges of the user's ring and middle
fingers.
[0019] The plurality of sensors may be disposed on the holder such
that at least some of the plurality of sensors are positioned on
distal and middle phalanges on a side of the user's index finger
when the holder is fitted on the user's hand, the frequently used
data items being further associated with ones of the plurality of
sensors positioned on the distal and middle phalanges on the side
of the user's index finger.
[0020] The plurality of sensors may be disposed on the holder such
that at least one of the plurality of sensors is positioned
proximate a tip of a distal phalange of one of the user's fingers
when the holder is fitted on the user's hand and at least one data
item from the group consisting of "e", "a", "n", "t", "o", and "i"
may be associated with the at least one of the plurality of
sensors.
[0021] The plurality of sensors may be disposed on the holder such
that at least one of the plurality of sensors is positioned on a
palm side of the user's hand and spaced inwardly from a tip of a
distal phalange when the holder is fitted on the user's hand and at
least one data item from the group consisting of "s", "u", "p",
"c", "h", "l", "r", and "w" may be associated with the at least one
of the plurality of sensors.
[0022] The first sensor may be disposed on the holder such that the
first sensor is positioned proximate a tip of the user's thumb when
the holder is fitted on the user's hand.
[0023] The first sensor may be disposed on the holder such that the
first sensor extends at least partway around a periphery of the tip
when the holder is fitted on the user's hand.
[0024] The plurality of sensors may be disposed on the holder such
that at least one of the plurality of sensors is positioned on a
side of one of the user's fingers when the holder is fitted on the
user's hand.
[0025] The plurality of sensors may be a first plurality of
sensors, and the apparatus may further include a second plurality
of sensors disposed on the holder in closely spaced relation such
that the second plurality of sensors are positioned along a side of
one of the user's fingers when the holder is fitted on the user's
hand, the interface being operably configured to produce a
repeating data signal in response to successive contact between
adjacent ones of the second plurality of sensors and the first
sensor.
[0026] The repeating data signal may be a first repeating data
signal associated with successive contact between adjacent ones of
the second plurality of sensors and the first sensor in a first
direction, and the interface may be operably configured to
associate a second repeating data signal with successive contact
between adjacent ones of the second plurality of sensors and the
first sensor in a second direction, the second direction being
opposite to the first direction.
[0027] The first repeating data signal and the second repeating
data signal may be representative of data items that are operable
to cause a display to scroll up and down respectively.
[0028] The apparatus may include a mode sensor operably configured
to produce a mode selection signal for reception by the interface
and the interface may be configured to associate data items in a
set of data items with respective ones of the plurality of sensors
in response to receiving the mode selection signal.
[0029] The set of data items may include at least one of numeric
data items, alphanumeric data items, data items corresponding to
function keys and data items associated with actions.
[0030] The set of data items may include data items that are
frequently used in conjunction with at least one of a computer
program, a language, and an electronic device.
[0031] The apparatus may include a holder operably configured to
fit over the user's thumb and fingers, the first sensor and the
plurality of sensors being disposed on the holder and the set of
data items may include data items associated with ones of the
plurality of sensors positioned on at least one of the user's left
hand and the user's right hand when the holder is fitted on the
user's hand.
[0032] The mode sensor may include one of the plurality of sensors,
and the mode signal may be produced in response to contact between
the first sensor and the one of the plurality of sensors.
[0033] The mode sensor may include at least one actuator and the
mode selection signal may be produced in response to actuation of
the actuator by the user.
[0034] The apparatus may include a second sensor operably
configured to be mounted on a palm side of a user's thumb in spaced
apart relation to the first sensor, the interface being in
communication with the second sensor and being operably configured
to associate contact between the second sensor and sensors of the
plurality of sensors with respective data items and to produce a
data signal representing the data items.
[0035] The second sensor may include a shaped conductive strip, the
shape configured to facilitate ergonomically favourable conditions
when causing the contact.
[0036] The second sensor may include first and second conductive
strips arranged in a "T" shape.
[0037] The second sensor may include first and second conductive
strips arranged in a cruciform shape.
[0038] The interface may be operably configured to associate data
items frequently occurring in a sequence in words associated with a
particular language with adjacently positioned ones of the
plurality of sensors.
[0039] The particular language may be the English language and the
data items frequently occurring in the sequence may include at
least one of the sequences of items "es", "er", "th", "ed", and
"ng".
[0040] The interface may be operably configured to associate
contact between the first sensor and two adjacently positioned ones
of the plurality of sensors with a data item and to produce a data
signal representing the data item.
[0041] The data item may include at least one of a "shift" data
item, a "ctrl" data item, an "alt" data item, and a data item that
causes an action to be performed.
[0042] The interface may be operably configured to produce the data
signal such that the data signal represents an ordered sequence of
data items in response to contacting an assigned one of the
plurality of sensors a number of times in succession, and then
contacting sensors associated with the ordered sequence of data
items.
[0043] The first sensor may include a first electrical contact
point and the plurality of sensors may each include a respective
electrical contact point and the first sensor and the plurality of
sensors may be configured to complete an electrical circuit when
the first electrical contact is in physical contact with at least
one of the respective electrical contact points, and the interface
may be operably configured to produce the data signal in response
to sensing the completed electric circuit.
[0044] At least one of the plurality of sensors may include a
pressure sensor in communication with the interface such that the
interface produces the data signal in response to contact pressure
being applied between the first sensor and the pressure sensor.
[0045] The interface may be operably configured to produce a signal
for driving a transducer to generate one of tactile feedback and
audible feedback to the user, the feedback confirming that a
data-item has been sensed.
[0046] The apparatus may include a display in communication with
the interface, the display being operably configured to display
information to the user.
[0047] The apparatus may include a transmitter for transmitting the
data signal to an electronic device.
[0048] The transmitter may include a radio frequency transmitter
operable to transmit a radio frequency signal representing the data
signal.
[0049] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is
provided an electronic device operably configured to receive the
data signal from the above apparatus.
[0050] The electronic device may include one of a cellular
telephone, a computing device, a vehicle mounted device, an audio
device, and a video device.
[0051] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is
provided an apparatus for inputting information. The apparatus
includes a first sensor operably configured to be mounted on a
user's thumb and a plurality of sensors operably configured to be
mounted on the user's fingers such that the user can move the
user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between the first
sensor and at least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus
also includes provisions for associating contact between the first
sensor and the plurality of sensors with respective data items such
that frequently used data items are associated with sensors of the
plurality of sensors located in positions on the user's fingers
that permit ergonomically favourable conditions when causing the
contact. The apparatus further includes provisions for producing a
data signal representing the data item.
[0052] The apparatus may further include provisions for mounting
the provisions for producing the data signal on the user's
hand.
[0053] The apparatus may include provisions for mounting the first
sensor and the plurality of sensors on the user's hand, the
provisions being configured to fit over the user's thumb and
fingers.
[0054] The apparatus may include provisions for producing a mode
selection signal and the provisions for associating may include
provisions for associating data items in a set of data items with
respective ones of the plurality of sensors in response to
receiving the mode selection signal.
[0055] The apparatus may include a second sensor operably
configured to be mounted on a palm side of a user's thumb in spaced
apart relation to the first sensor and the provisions for
associating may be operably configured to associate contact between
the second sensor and the plurality of sensors with respective data
items.
[0056] The first sensor may include a first electrical contact
point and the plurality of sensors may each include a respective
electrical contact point and the first sensor and the plurality of
sensors may be configured to complete an electrical circuit when
the first electrical contact is in physical contact with at least
one of the respective electrical contact points, and the provisions
for producing the data signal are operably configured to produce
the data signal in response to sensing the completed electric
circuit.
[0057] The apparatus may include provisions for producing a signal
for driving a transducer to generate one of tactile feedback and
audible feedback to the user, the feedback confirming that a
data-item has been sensed.
[0058] The apparatus may include provisions for transmitting the
data signal to an electronic device.
[0059] The provisions for transmitting may include provisions for
transmitting a radio frequency signal representing the data
signal.
[0060] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is
provided in a system including a first sensor operably configured
to be mounted on a user's thumb and a plurality of sensors operably
configured to be mounted on the user's fingers such that the user
can move the user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between
the first sensor and at least one of the plurality of sensors, a
method of producing a signal representing contact between the first
sensor and at least one of the plurality of sensors. The method
involves associating contact between the first sensor and the
plurality of sensors with respective data items such that
frequently used data items are associated with sensors of the
plurality of sensors located in positions on the user's fingers
that permit ergonomically favourable conditions when causing the
contact. The method further involves producing a data signal
representing the data item.
[0061] The method may involve producing a mode selection signal and
associating may involve associating data items in a set of data
items with respective ones of the plurality of sensors in response
to receiving the mode selection signal.
[0062] Producing the data signal may involve transmitting a radio
frequency signal representing the data signal.
[0063] Other aspects and features of the present invention will
become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review
of the following description of specific embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0064] In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the
invention,
[0065] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for inputting
information according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0066] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an
interface shown in FIG. 1;
[0067] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing for the interface
shown in FIG. 2;
[0068] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus for inputting
information according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0069] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus for inputting
information according to a third embodiment of the invention.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a table of associations between data items and
sensors shown in FIG. 4;
[0071] FIG. 7 is a table of associations between data items and
sensors shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with an alternate
embodiment;
[0072] FIG. 8 is a table of associations between data items and
sensors shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with an alternate
embodiment; and
[0073] FIG. 9 is a table of associations between data items and
sensors shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with an alternate
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0074] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for inputting information
according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally
at 100. The apparatus 100 includes a first sensor 102 which is
operably configured to be mounted on a user's thumb 104 and a
plurality of sensors 106 operably configured to be mounted on the
user's fingers 108, such that the user can move the user's thumb
and/or fingers to cause contact between the first sensor and at
least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus 100 also
includes an interface 110 in communication with the first sensor
102 and the plurality of sensors 106. The interface 110 is operably
configured to associate contact between the first sensor 102 and
sensors of the plurality of sensors 106 with respective data items.
The interface 110 further includes an output 112 for producing a
data signal representing the data item, such that frequently used
data items are associated with sensors of the plurality of sensors
106 located in positions on the user's fingers that permit
ergonomically favourable conditions when causing the contact.
[0075] The data item may include a numeric, punctuation, or
alphanumeric data character, or a code corresponding to a function
key (the keys F1-F12 provided on an extended computer keyboard are
one example of a function key). The data item may also include
symbols (e.g. "@", "#", and "5") or may cause some action to occur
such as an "Enter" key on a computer, or a "send" key on a cellular
telephone, for example. The data signal representing the data item
may be encoded with a code that is received and interpreted by an
associated device, which then performs some action in response to
receiving the code.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the interface 110 is
shown at 120. The interface 120 includes an encoder 121, which
includes a plurality of inputs 122, each one of the inputs
corresponding to one of the plurality of sensors 106 on the user's
fingers 108. The encoder 121 also includes at least one input 124,
for receiving signals from the sensor 102 positioned on the user's
thumb 104. In some embodiments a second sensor (not shown in FIG.
1) may be positioned on the user's thumb, in which case the input
124 would also include a second input for receiving signals from
the second sensor. The encoder 121 also includes an input 125 for
receiving configuration commands and data for configuring the
encoder.
[0077] Referring back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment the sensors 106
and 104 each include conductive electrical contact points, each
connected to a respective one of the inputs 122 and 124 by a
plurality of conductors 114.
[0078] Referring again to FIG. 2, the encoder 121 produces a signal
at the output 123, in response to sensing a completed electrical
circuit between one of the sensors 106 and the first sensor 102
when the sensors are brought into physical contact by the user. The
signal at the output 123 includes a code that uniquely identifies
which one of the sensors 106 was contacted by the sensor 102.
[0079] In one embodiment the interface 120 includes a transducer
131 and the encoder 121 includes an output 133 for producing a
signal in response to each sensing of contact between one of the
sensors 106 and the sensor 102. The signal at the output 133 is in
communication with the transducer 131 for providing audible or
tactile feedback to the user. For example, the transducer 131 may
produce a "beep" or "click" sound. Alternatively, the transducer
may be positioned in close proximity to the user's hand and may
produce a vibration or other disturbance that can be felt by the
user. The audible or tactile feedback serves to confirm to the user
that a data-item has been sensed.
[0080] The interface 120 further includes a map 126, which has an
input 128 for receiving the signal from the output 123 of the
encoder 121, and an output 130 for producing the data signal. The
map 126 also includes an input 132 for receiving a mode selection
signal, and an input 134 for receiving configuration commands and
data for configuring the map. The map further includes a memory
127, such as a non-volatile flash memory device, for storing one or
more association tables 129. The map 126 is operable to associate
contact between the first sensor 102 and sensors 106 with data
items in accordance with the association table 129 in the memory
127, and to produce the data signal representing the data item.
[0081] The interface 120 further includes a wireless transceiver
140, which has an input 142 for receiving the data signal from the
output 130 of the map 126. The wireless transceiver 140 also
includes an antenna 144, for producing a radio frequency signal
representing the data signal and for receiving radio frequency
signals representing configuration data and commands from a device
150. The wireless transceiver 140 further includes an output 148
for providing configuration commands and data to the input 134 of
the map 126, and an output 146 for providing configuration commands
and data to the input 125 of the encoder 121.
[0082] The wireless transmitter 140 may optionally include an
output 145 which is in communication with a display 149 such as a
liquid crystal display device (LCD) for displaying information to
the user.
[0083] The interface 120 is in wireless communication with the
device 150. The device 150 may be an electronic device including,
but not limited to, a cellular telephone, a handheld computing
device such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a laptop or
desktop computer, a vehicle mounted device such as a car stereo, an
audio device such as an MP3 player, and a video device such as a
DVD player. The device 150 includes a wireless transceiver 152,
which includes an antenna 154 for receiving the radio frequency
signal representing the data signal from the wireless transceiver
140, and for transmitting the radio frequency signals representing
configuration data and commands to the wireless transceiver 140.
The device 150 further includes an input interface 153 in
communication with the wireless transceiver 152 for receiving the
data signal from the wireless transceiver. In one embodiment the
input interface 153 may include a keyboard port or a universal
serial bus (USB) port.
[0084] In other embodiments, communication between the device 150
and the interface 120 may not involve configuration data and
commands being sent to the apparatus by the device, in which case
the interface 120 may include a wireless transmitter, instead of
the wireless transceiver 140, and the device 150 may include a
wireless receiver, instead of the wireless transceiver 152.
[0085] In one embodiment the wireless transceivers 140 and 152 are
implemented as Bluetooth.RTM. wireless devices. Alternatively the
wireless transceivers 140 and 152 may be implemented as Universal
Serial Bus (USB) wireless transceivers, which use ultra wide band
communications to reduce power consumption of wireless devices. In
other embodiments the wireless transceivers 140 and 152 may be
eliminated and replaced by a wired connection to the device 150,
such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable and USB interface.
[0086] In other embodiments the device 150 may include an infrared
port for receiving user input from an infrared transmitter and the
wireless transceivers 140 and 152 may be implemented as infrared
devices, which communicate by transmitting and receiving encoded
infrared light signals.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment the interface 120 is
mounted in a housing 160, which further includes a battery
compartment 164, for receiving a battery (not shown) that provides
power to the encoder 121, the map 126, and the wireless transceiver
140. In this embodiment the housing 160, and the sensors 102 and
106 are mounted on a shaped covering such as a glove 162 shown
generally at 162, such that when the glove is worn by the user, the
housing is positioned on the back of the user's hand and the
sensors are located in ergonomically favourable positions on the
user's thumb 104 and fingers 108. Optionally, the glove 162 may
also include the display 149, mounted on the glove such that when
the glove is fitted on the user's hand, the display is positioned
on the back of the hand. The glove 162 may be fabricated from a
material that is breathable and stretchable, for example. The
material may also be transparent or semi-transparent or may be a
meshed fabric to make it lighter. The glove 162 also includes the
conductors 114 connecting the sensors 102 and 106 to the interface
120. The conductors 114 may include flexible conductive traces that
may be routed inside or outside the glove 162. Alternatively, the
housing 160 and sensors 102 and 106 may be mounted on any other
shaped covering that is adapted to fit on the user's hand.
[0088] In another embodiment the housing 160 may include a charging
port (not shown) for receiving electrical energy supplied
externally to the housing and for providing energy to recharge the
battery.
[0089] The operation of the interface 120 is described in reference
to FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 1, desired data items to be
input are selected by the user by contact between the sensor 102 on
the thumb 104 and one of the sensors 106 on the fingers. This
completes an electric circuit between one of the inputs 122 and one
of the inputs 124 on the encoder 121. The encoder 121 activates
each of the inputs 122 and senses when a particular circuit is
completed, which indicates that a particular one of the sensors 106
has been activated. The encoder 121 then produces the signal
encoded with a code representing the selected one of the sensors
106 at the output 123.
[0090] When the user completes a circuit between one of the sensors
106 and the sensor 102, there is usually a small amount of
vibration between the surfaces which results in the circuit being
repeatedly completed, and then disconnected in a short time. This
fluctuation is known as "bounce" and the encoder 121 includes a
filter (not shown) that de-bounces the circuit, such that the
contacting is treated as a single data item. The device 150 may
optionally produce configuration commands and data for configuring
the filter, which are transmitted by the transceiver 152 to the
transceiver 140 and received at the input 125. Other configuration
commands and data may also be received at the input 125 of the
encoder 121, for example, configuration data corresponding to
common keyboard configuration parameters such as typematic repeat
rate etc.
[0091] The signal produced by the encoder 121 at the output 123
uniquely identifies one of the sensors 106, which has been
selected, but does not necessarily associate the sensor with a
particular data item. In this embodiment the association is
performed by the map 126 which receives the signal from the output
123 of the encoder 121 at the input 128. The signal produced at the
output 123 is encoded with data indicating which of the sensors 106
has been contacted. The map 126 looks up an associated data item
corresponding to the sensor, in the association table 129 stored in
the memory 127. Advantageously, by not permanently associating
certain sensors with specific data items, the sensors may be
re-configured for different applications or devices.
[0092] The association table 129 in the map 126 is configured when
a configuration command signal is received at the input 134,
followed by data signals representing data items that are to be
associated with particular sensors 106. The data signals are
received at the input 134 of the map 126 and the association data
is stored in the association table 129 in the memory 127. In this
embodiment, the memory 127 is large enough to store a plurality of
association tables 129, and the map 126 is responsive to the mode
selection signal at the input 132 to select one of the plurality of
association tables 129 to be active. One of the sensors 106 may be
configured to cause the mode selection signal to be generated when
contacted by the first sensor 102. Alternatively, the apparatus may
include a mode selection actuator switch 168, shown in FIG. 3 in
communication with the map 126, which may be activated by the user
to cause the map to select an association table or mode.
[0093] In another embodiment the mode selection signal is generated
by activating one of a plurality of mode selector switches (not
shown), each of the plurality of mode selector switches
corresponding to one of the plurality of association tables 129.
Advantageously, the mode selection signal allows the user to
conveniently switch between different modes, which are suitable for
particular electronic devices, specific activities, or specific
software programs running on an electronic device.
[0094] The map 126 produces a data signal at the output 130, which
is received at the input 142 by the wireless transceiver 140. The
wireless transceiver produces a radio frequency signal representing
the data signal at the antenna 144. The radio frequency signal is
received at the antenna 154 of the transceiver 152, and the data
signal is recovered from the radio frequency signal, and sent to
the input interface 153.
[0095] The display 149, when included, may be configured to display
information received from the device 150 via the wireless link. The
display 149 may simply echo data items or may display other
information provided by the device 150.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 4, in a second embodiment of the
invention, both the user's left hand 180 and the user's right hand
182 are used to input information. In this embodiment a first glove
184 is adapted to fit the user's left hand 180 and a second glove
186 is adapted to fit the user's right hand 182. The gloves 184 and
186 include shaped coverings that conform to the user's index
fingers 188, middle fingers 190, ring fingers 192, and small
fingers 194. The gloves 184 and 186 further include shaped
coverings that conform to the user's thumbs 196, for each of the
gloves respectively.
[0097] Each glove 184 and 186 includes a first sensor 198 mounted
on the gloves such that when fitted on the user's hands, the first
sensor will be positioned on a tip of the user's thumbs 196
respectively. Similarly, a second sensor 200 is positioned spaced
inwardly from the tip of the user's thumbs 196 respectively.
[0098] Each glove 184 and 186 further includes a plurality of
finger sensors 210 mounted on the gloves such that when fitted on
the user's hands, the sensors will be positioned on the user's
fingers 188-194. The plurality of finger sensors 210 includes
finger sensors 201-207. For sake of clarity the finger sensors,
thumb sensors, user's fingers, and the phalanges of the user's
fingers are commonly numbered for each finger on the user's hands
180 and 182.
[0099] The plurality of finger sensors 210 includes a sensor 201
positioned on the gloves 184 and 186 to be adjacent to a tip of a
distal phalange 212, a sensor 202 positioned on the gloves to be
spaced inwardly from the tip of the user's distal phalange, a
sensor 203 positioned on the gloves to be on a middle phalange 214,
and a sensor 204 positioned on the gloves to be on a proximate
phalange 216, all on a palm side of the user's hands 180 and 182,
respectively. The plurality of finger sensors 210 further includes
a sensor 205 positioned on the gloves 184 and 186 to be on a side
of the distal phalange 212, a sensor 206 positioned on the gloves
to be on a side of the middle phalange 214, and a sensor 207
positioned on the gloves to be on a side of the proximate phalange
216, of the user's hands 180 and 182, respectively.
[0100] In this embodiment the plurality finger sensors 210 include
conductive electrical contact points. The first sensors 198 each
include a conductive strip and when the gloves 184 and 186 are
fitted on the user's hands the conductive strips extend partway
around a periphery of the tip of the user's thumbs 196
respectively. The second sensor 200 includes a conductive area
shaped in the form of a cross. Alternatively, the second sensor 200
may be shaped in the form of a "T". Advantageously the shaped first
and second sensors 198 and 200 facilitate ergonomically favourable
conditions when contacting the plurality of sensors 201-207 with
the first and second sensors. Each of the sensors 201-207 is
connected to one of the inputs 122 of the encoder 121, shown in
FIG. 2. The first and second sensors 198 and 200 are each connected
to one of the inputs 124 of the encoder 121. In this embodiment
each of the gloves 184 and 186 include an interface housing 220
mounted on the gloves such that when the glove is worn by the user,
the housing is positioned on the back of the user's hand as shown
in FIG. 3.
[0101] The sensor 201 and the sensor 202, on each of the user's
fingers 188-194 are positioned such that movement of the user's
thumbs 196 and/or fingers to bring the first sensor 198 into
contact with the sensors 201 and 202 is easily accomplished without
discomfort to the user. Accordingly the map 126 is configured such
that the most frequently used data items are associated with
contact between the first sensor 198 and the sensors 201 and 202 on
each of the user's fingers thus permitting ergonomically favourable
conditions when the sensors are in contact and when moving the
user's thumb and/or fingers to perform the contact between the
sensors.
[0102] Similarly, the sensor 201, on each of the user's fingers is
ergonomically favourably positioned for contacting by the second
sensor 200. Accordingly the map 126 is configured such that further
frequently used data items are associated with contact between the
second sensor 200 and the sensor 201 on each of the user's fingers.
Each of the plurality of sensors 210 may thus be associated with
two different data items, depending on whether they are contacted
by the first sensor 198 or the second sensor 200.
[0103] The sensor 205, on the side of the user's index fingers 188
and small fingers 194 are also somewhat ergonomically favourably
positioned for contacting by the first sensor 198. Accordingly the
map 126 is configured such that some frequently used data items are
associated with contact between the first sensor 198 and the sensor
205 on the side of the user's index fingers 188 and small fingers
194.
[0104] Some of the plurality of sensors 210 may be very difficult
to contact with either the first sensor 198 and/or the second
sensor 200. For example most users will find contacting the second
sensor 200 with any of the sensors 203 and 204, to be quite
uncomfortable and therefore these sensors are not considered to be
ergonomically favourable positioned, an thus may only be used for
infrequently used data items, or not used at all.
[0105] Advantageously, in associating sensors in ergonomically
favourable positions with frequently used data items, hand movement
is kept to a minimum when inputting information, thus reducing user
fatigue and enabling the user to input information at a higher
rate.
[0106] In other embodiments, other types of sensors may be used,
such as pressure sensitive sensors, touch sensors, thermal or
capacitive sensors etc.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the invention is
shown generally at 301. In this embodiment, the users right hand
182 or left hand (only a right hand is shown in FIG. 5), is used to
mimic the operation of a wheel on a wheel mouse or other similar
input device. The user's hand 182 is covered by a glove 300, which
includes a first plurality of sensors including sensors 302 mounted
on the palm side of the glove, and sensors 307 mounted on the glove
such that when the glove is worn on the user's hand, the sensors
307 are disposed on the sides of the user's fingers. The glove 300
also includes a first sensor 304. The sensors 302, 307 and 304
operate in a similar fashion as the plurality of sensors 210, and
the first sensor 198, described above in reference to FIG. 4.
[0108] The glove 300 further includes a second plurality of sensors
306 mounted on a side of the glove such that when the glove is worn
by the user the sensors will be disposed on the user's index finger
308, positioned in-between the sensors 307. The plurality of
sensors 306 are positioned in closely spaced relation and each
sensor includes a conductive electrical contact point, which is in
communication with one of the inputs 122 of the encoder 121 shown
in FIG. 2. In this embodiment an area of each sensor 306 is smaller
than an area of the sensors 307.
[0109] In this embodiment the second plurality of sensors 306 is
used to implement functionality similar to the wheel on the wheel
mouse, by sliding the first sensor 304 down the side of the user's
index finger 308, thus successively contacting adjacent ones of the
second plurality of sensors 306 with the first sensor. The encoder
121 and map 126 are configured to produce a repeating data signal
in response to each successive contact. The encoder 121 is
configured to ignore contact of the sensors 307 on the user's index
finger 308, when successive contacting of adjacent ones in the
second plurality of sensors 306 is detected.
[0110] Alternatively the encoder 121 may be configured to produce a
first repeating data signal when contacted by the first sensor 304
in a first direction, and a second repeating signal when contacted
by the first sensor in a second direction, opposite to the first
direction. The first and second repeating data signals provide
signals that mimic the operation of the wheel on the wheel mouse.
Such a repeating data signal may be used to cause a display, in an
associated device to scroll up and down or to select an item from a
list of items.
[0111] Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment the glove 300 may be
marked with symbols or letters 320 indicating specific associations
between the sensors 302 and data items. Advantageously, the symbols
or letters may be applied to a transparent covering 322, such as a
vinyl or latex glove, which can be pulled over the glove 300 such
that a user can temporarily have access to a visual association
between sensors and data items while learning how to use the
apparatus 301. In embodiments where the first sensor and the
plurality of sensors include electrical contact points, the
transparent covering would require correspondingly positioned holes
to provide access to the contacts.
[0112] The following describes modes of operation of the apparatus,
which may be activated by changing the mode select signal provided
to the input 132 of the map 126 shown in FIG. 2.
Two Handed Input Mode
[0113] An embodiment for inputting information into an associated
device using both of the user's hands 180 and 182 is described with
reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, one possible
association of data items with finger sensors 201-207, for contact
with the first sensors 198 is shown in the table at 250. For
example, contacting between the first sensor 198 on the thumb 196
of the left hand, and the finger sensor 201 on the ring finger,
produces a data item "a". Contacting between the first sensor 198
on the thumb 196 of the right hand, and the finger sensor 202 on
the index finger, produces a data item "c". Similarly, one possible
association of data items with finger sensors 201-207, for contact
with the second sensors 200 is shown in the table at 252.
[0114] Advantageously, for the association shown in FIG. 6 and when
inputting text characters in the English language, approximately
57% of the text characters commonly include the data items "space",
"e", "a", "n", "t", "o", and "i", and are thus associated with
contacting between the first sensors 198 and the finger sensors 201
adjacent the finger tips. Approximately 25% of the text characters
commonly include the data items "r", "s", "u", "p", "c", "h", "l",
"r", and "w", which are thus associated with contacting between the
first sensor 198 and the finger sensors 202 positioned spaced
inwardly from the finger tip. A further 10% of the text characters
commonly include the data items "Backspace", "d", "f", "g",
"Enter", "m", "y", and "b", which are associated with contacting
between the second sensors 200 and the finger sensors 201 adjacent
the finger tips. A further 1% of text characters commonly include
the data items "k" and "v", which are associated with contacting
between the first sensors 198 and certain ones of the finger
sensors 205 positioned adjacent the sides of the user's finger
tips.
[0115] Consequently, in this embodiment approximately 93% of data
items may be input by contacting either the first sensor 198 or the
second sensor 200 with one of sensors 201, 202, and 205, which are
ergonomically favourably positioned on the distal phalanges of the
user's fingers. Other less frequently used data items may be
associated with less ergonomically positioned sensors. In general,
the ergonomics of contacting any of the plurality of sensors 210
and the first or second sensors 198 and 200 may vary slightly
between users. For example a user who plays an instrument such as a
guitar, which conditions the fingers to awkward movements, may find
some less ergonomic sensors of the plurality of sensors 210 to be
easily contactable, while a person with mild arthritis may find the
same sensor impossible to contact.
[0116] Further, by contacting the second sensor 200 and the finger
sensor 207, the apparatus may be placed in a "shifted" mode,
whereby uppercase characters and alternate characters may be
accessed (e.g. the sensor 203, on the left hand "Period/?" causes
the interface 110 to produce a period when in the un-shifted mode,
and to produce a "?" when in the shifted mode).
[0117] Advantageously with the association shown in FIG. 6, data
items frequently occurring in sequence in words associated with a
particular language may be associated with adjacently positioned
sensors. For example, "e" and "s" are associated with sensors 201
and 202 on the middle finger of the left hand. Similarly, "e" and
"r" are associated with sensor 201 on the middle finger and sensor
202 on the index finger of the left hand respectively. Further "t
and "h are associated with sensors 201 and 202 on the middle finger
of the right hand. The data items "n" and "g" are both associated
with the sensor 201 on the small finger of the right hand, and are
selected by first contacting the sensor 201 with the first sensor
198 and then the second sensor 200. The data items "e" and "d" are
both associated with the sensor 201 on the middle finger of the
right hand, and are selected by first contacting the sensor 201
with the first sensor 198 and then the second sensor 200.
Advantageously, these and other frequently used sequences of data
items may be inputted in a single sliding movement between the
above identified adjacently positioned sensors.
Numeric Input Mode
[0118] An embodiment for inputting numeric information is described
with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7. In this embodiment numeric
information is input using the user's left hand 180 for numbers
1-9, and the user's right hand for other data items usually located
on a numeric keypad. The numeric input mode may be activated from
the two handed input mode described above, by contacting the first
sensor 198 and the finger sensor 207 on the user's left hand index
finger.
[0119] In the numeric input mode, contacting the second sensor 200
and the finger sensor 207 on the user's right hand index finger
activates a function key mode, in which each number key becomes a
corresponding function key (i.e. "1" becomes "F1", "5" becomes "F5"
etc), except for "F11" and "F12", which are associated as shown in
FIG. 7.
[0120] Contacting the second sensor 200 and the finger sensor 207
on the user's left hand middle finger returns the user to the mode
described in the two handed input mode embodiment above.
Single Handed Input Mode
[0121] An embodiment for single handed input is described with
reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 8, and illustrates a mode for
inputting information into an associated device using only one of
the user's left hand 180 and the user's right hand. In FIG. 8,
associations for each of the user's left and right hands are shown,
although it should be understood that the user will choose one or
the other, in accordance with the user's preference.
[0122] In the single handed mode, not all characters usually found
on a keyboard are made available. The single handed mode may be
particularly useful for inputting information into an associated
device which is customized for messaging applications such as
email.
[0123] The single handed mode may provide access to a numeric entry
mode, such as that shown in FIG. 7, which is activated by
contacting the first sensor 198 and the finger sensor 207 on the
index finger.
[0124] In this embodiment, the "shifted" mode may be accessed by
contacting between the first sensor 198 and two of the sensors 210
on adjacent fingers simultaneously. For example, the sensors 201 on
the index and middle fingers 188 and 190 may be associated with
placing the apparatus in the shifted mode. Other data items such as
the control key and the alt key may be associated with other
sensors located on adjacent fingers, e.g. the sensors 201 on the
middle and ring fingers 190 and 192, and the sensors 201 on the
ring and small fingers 192 and 194.
[0125] Some data items require inputting three key combinations in
an ordered sequence e.g. "ctrl-alt-del", which may be difficult to
input using a single hand (or even with two hands). In this
embodiment, the encoder 121 is configured to receive ordered
sequences in response to contacting the sensor 207 on the index
finger 188 three times in quick succession with the second sensor
200. The map 126 includes entries corresponding to valid
combinations of data items and the map produces a data signal
corresponding to the desired combination for the following three
data items that are input by the user.
Dial Mode
[0126] An embodiment for inputting dialing information into an
associated device, such as a cellular telephone is described with
reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 9. In this embodiment the user's left
hand 180 is used for input, although either hand could be used. The
dial mode is similar to the numeric input mode embodiment above,
but has additional data items such as "send" and "end", commonly
found on cellular telephones, associated with index finger sensor
207 and small finger sensor 204. Other data items may be associated
with finger sensors 201 on the index finger and middle fingers
respectively of the left hand, which are operable to activate speed
dial and voice mail modes of operation of the cellular
telephone.
[0127] While specific embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered
illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the
invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *