EP0535988A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Data input apparatus and methods
Assignee: Sigmax Ltd
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Filing: 1992-10-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-10-02
Abstract
Abstract In an input apparatus, the image of a surface of an input operation unit (12) is taken by a television camera (11) and, when a change occurs in the brightness of a predetermined mark region (MKj) of the image represented by the video signal (VD) thereof, an operation position judgment unit (10) judges that an operation element at the position where the brightness has been changed has been operated by the operator. It is therefore possible to simplify the construction of an operation input system for forming operation input information since no signal or power line is needed to link the input operation unit (12) to the input apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaharu c/o Sigmax Kabushiki Kaisha Watanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:07
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0425; G06F3/0426
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An input apparatus comprising: an input operation unit (12) for input operation by an operator; a television camera (11) for taking the image of an operation surface of the input operation unit (12); and an operation position judgment unit (10) for extracting brightness data from the image of the input operation unit (12) represented by a video signal (VD) obtained from the television camera (11), the extracted brightness data corresponding to mark regions (MKj) set to superimpose a portion corresponding to operation positions of the operator, and for judging that the corresponding operation positions have been operated by the operator when a change exceeding a reference value has occurred in the extracted brightness data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a monitor means (16) for indicating the video signal (VD) on its screen as an image of the input operation unit (12), wherein the operator may set the mark region (MKj) on the image of the screen to be superimposed while viewing the image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input operation unit (12) is composed of an entrance and peripheral portions thereof (Fig. 5).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input operation unit (12) is composed of a message board (Fig. 6).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input operation unit (12) is composed of a door of a car and peripheral portions thereof (Fig. 7).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input operation unit (12) is composed of a panel switch (Fig. 9).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input operation unit (12) is composed of an operation panel (60) for a musical instrument (Fig. 8).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input operation unit (12) is composed of a component (68) carrying a representation of a key input device for a computer (Figs. 10 and 11).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of inputting operation input information, the method comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of mark regions (MKj) which are superimposed upon image portions corresponding to operation positions against which an operator may operate within an image derived from a video signal (VD), the video signal (VD) being obtained by picking up an image of an input operation unit (12) by means of a television camera (11); generating and storing a master pattern, after judging that the brightness of the mark regions (MKj) has changed, in response to the operator operating the mark regions (MKj) in a predetermined order, in a master pattern setting mode (MD3); generating a detection pattern, on the basis of the brightness information corresponding to the plurality of mark regions (MKj), when the operator operates the input operation unit (12), in an observation mode (MD4); and generating input operation information on the basis of whether the detection pattern coincides with the master pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 9, including the steps of: calculating a judgment reference value based on an initial brightness, after reading out the initial brightness corresponding to the plurality of mark regions (MKj), when the operator does not operate the input operation unit (12); and judging that the brightness of the mark regions (MKj) has changed, when the brightness of the mark regions (MKj) exceeds the judgment reference value, in the master pattern setting mode (MD3).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the judgment reference value is updated with a further judgment reference value calculated from brightness information which has been judged as representing that there is no change in the observation mode (MD4).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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